Director, Alliance for Wellbeing, Accountability & Respectful Engagement (AWARE)

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $125,000 – $135,000

Position Summary

Columbia University seeks an experienced, strategic, and trusted leader to serve as the inaugural Director of the Alliance for Wellbeing, Accountability & Respectful Engagement (AWARE). Established to advance Columbia’s commitment to respectful, accountable, inclusive, and healthy working and learning environments, AWARE addresses concerns involving bullying and abusive conduct that are not otherwise managed through existing University processes. Through a professional respect and accountability framework, AWARE promotes positive workplace and academic climates, facilitates constructive resolution of concerns, and coordinates support resources and remediation efforts across the institution.

Reporting to the Executive Director, Labor and Employee Relations Academic Personnel, the Director will provide strategic leadership and administrative oversight for all aspects of AWARE. The Director will be responsible for building and leading this new institutional function, including program oversight, development of fair and consistent processes, coordination of institutional partnerships and governance activities, staff supervision, assessment, reporting, and consultation on complex or high-impact cases.

The successful candidate will bring expertise in employee relations, academic personnel matters, conflict resolution, organizational climate, and complex workplace conduct concerns, along with the judgment, discretion, emotional intelligence, and cultural competence required to guide sensitive matters in a complex academic environment. A collaborative relationship-builder and clear communicator, the Director will work effectively with diverse stakeholders across Columbia to strengthen accountability, support constructive resolution, and advance a culture of dignity, wellbeing, and respectful engagement.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Program Administration

· Provide strategic leadership for the oversight, implementation, and continuous improvement of the AWARE program.

· Establish and maintain procedures, operational standards, assessment measures, and service delivery expectations.

· Lead annual planning, goal setting, and program evaluation activities.

· Supervise AWARE staff and oversee program operations. Maintain a sustainable framework for addressing concerns involving bullying and abusive conduct.

· Monitor emerging trends, best practices, and regulatory developments relevant to workplace and academic climate initiatives.

Institutional Partnerships and Governance

· Serve as the primary liaison to University leadership and campus partners.

· Build collaborative relationships with schools, departments, and administrative offices.

· Coordinate activities of the AWARE Advisory Board and prepare materials and recommendations for review.

· Advise University leaders regarding workplace and academic climate concerns and institutional response strategies.

· Represent AWARE on University committees, working groups, and special initiatives.

Education and Prevention

· With appropriate University partners, guide development of educational initiatives and outreach strategies and leverage existing programs and resources to support respectful engagement and workplace civility.

· Promote awareness of reporting mechanisms, available resources, and University expectations regarding professional conduct.

Minimum Qualifications

· Bachelor's degree required;

· Minimum of 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education administration, employee relations, compliance, faculty affairs, organizational effectiveness, conflict resolution, investigations, ombuds services, or related fields.

· Minimum of 3 years of supervisory and leadership experience.

· Demonstrated experience managing highly sensitive matters involving multiple stakeholders.

· Experience developing and implementing institutional programs, policies, or organizational initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

· Master's degree or other advanced degree strongly preferred.

· Experience in higher education environments with complex governance structures.

· Experience building or leading workplace climate, professional conduct, restorative practices, employee relations, or conflict resolution programs.

· Experience supervising professional staff and leading organizational change initiatives.

· Familiarity with case management systems and data reporting tools.

Other Requirements

· Exceptional judgment, discretion, and professionalism.

· Strong leadership, communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.

· Ability to work effectively across decentralized academic and administrative environments.

· Commitment to fostering respectful, inclusive, and accountable working and learning environments.