Associate Director, Leasing

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $125,00 - $140,000

Position Summary

The Associate Director, Leasing serves as a senior operational and strategic leader within Columbia Residential, partnering closely with the Director of Leasing Administration to advance the service, operational, and client relationship objectives of the University’s faculty and non-student housing portfolio. The position provides leadership for strategic project management, faculty client relationship management, service delivery, resident support coordination, and complex case management to ensure responsive, high-quality housing services aligned with the University’s academic mission and institutional priorities.

Serving as Columbia Residential’s primary relationship management lead for faculty housing, the Associate Director partners closely with the Office of the Provost, Deans’ Offices, Human Resources, academic departments, institutes, and other key University stakeholders to support faculty recruitment, onboarding, retention, and housing satisfaction. Through strategic consultation, proactive engagement, and responsive service delivery, the incumbent advances the University’s faculty recruitment and retention goals while maintaining exceptional resident service.

The Associate Director provides strategic leadership for complex operational and capital initiatives affecting the faculty housing portfolio. Working collaboratively with Residential Operations Asset Directors, Portfolio Managers, Resident Construction, Strategic Operations, and other operational partners, the incumbent oversees building improvement and renovation initiatives, project planning and implementation, resident communications, operational readiness, and impact mitigation to ensure efficient project execution and an exceptional resident experience.

The Associate Director oversees escalated housing matters, occupied apartment renovations, operational planning, service delivery standards, and strategic initiatives affecting faculty and affiliated residents. Partnering with Leasing Administration, Resident Support, Strategic Operations, Residential Operations, Legal Leasing Services, Asset Management, Portfolio Managers, CUFO Finance, and other University stakeholders, the incumbent leads process improvements, supports organizational change, enhances operational effectiveness, and ensures faculty housing operations remain responsive, compliant, and service-oriented.

Responsibilities

• Provides concierge-style support and individualized case management for faculty and University leadership requiring specialized housing coordination, relocation support, operational assistance, and issue resolution
• Anticipates resident needs and proactively coordinate solutions that balance resident expectations with operational requirements and University policies. Manages sensitive and escalated housing matters requiring discretion, diplomacy, sound judgment, and cross-departmental coordination
• Partners closely with Resident Support to oversee service recovery efforts, resident concerns, operational escalations, and complex housing situations impacting faculty and non-student residents. Ensures timely resolution of issues while maintaining consistent service standards and positive stakeholder relationships
• Serves as Columbia Residential’s primary operational relationship manager for faculty, academic leadership, the Office of the Provost, Deans’ Offices, and University stakeholders
• Supports faculty recruitment, onboarding, retention, and housing satisfaction initiatives
• Oversees both occupied and vacant apartment renovation initiatives across the faculty housing portfolio in partnership with Residential Construction, Design and Construction, Residential Operations Asset Directors, Portfolio Managers, and Building Operations teams
• Proactively identifies apartment and building improvement opportunities, operational needs, and renovation priorities that support long-term portfolio enhancement and resident satisfaction
• Leads and manages occupied apartment renovation projects from planning through completion, including project coordination, vendor management, resident communication, operational readiness, timeline oversight, and budget administration. Ensures projects are completed efficiently, align with Columbia Residential standards, minimize disruption to residents, and support the overall quality and functionality of the housing portfolio
• Manage approximately $2 million annually in renovation-related projects and expenditures
• Partners with the Director of Leasing Administration and collaborate closely with Leasing Administration, Strategic Operations, Residential Operations, Legal Leasing Services, CUFO Finance, and other University partners to support faculty housing operations, occupancy planning, turn season readiness, and departmental initiatives.
• Ensures operational alignment, effective communication, and consistent service delivery across the faculty housing portfolio
• Provides leadership, coaching, and operational guidance to the Senior Associate for Faculty Housing and support a collaborative, service-oriented team environment focused on operational excellence and resident satisfaction
• Leads strategic operational initiatives and project management efforts related to faculty housing services, operational enhancements, building initiatives, process improvements, and resident experience programs
• Coordinates cross-functional teams, manage operational priorities, and oversee implementation efforts to support service excellence, operational efficiency, and long-term portfolio goals
• Supervises the Senior Associate for Faculty Housing and provide indirect oversight of leasing staff; design and deliver training sessions, and support team meetings to build collaboration, learning, and communication
• Perform other duties as assigned or as necessary

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required
• Minimum of 5 years of related experience required
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and Outlook required
• Demonstrated technical and analytical skills with proficiency in lease management software systems
• Facility with specialized financial reporting and report development tools required. Experience working with data generated from disparate systems helpful
• Knowledge of data analysis tools and industry-specific software required
• Ability to direct data processing and analysis efforts efficiently and with keen attention to detail
• Must demonstrate sound judgment, patience, and tact while working under pressure in a busy office environment
• Must be organized, professional, friendly, enthusiastic, and diligent
• Excellent customer service and communication skills, both written and verbal, are required

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree is preferred
• Specific experience with Housing and Leasing Operations, Residence Life, or Customer Service preferred
• Ability to work with and analyze data generated from disparate systems preferred
• Experience conducting and evaluating performance assessments preferred

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.