• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $100,000 - $125,000

Position Summary

University Life was created to develop and enhance the student experience at Columbia. Working in collaboration with students, faculty, and staff, University Life strengthens resources, policies, and conversations and builds community outside of the classroom. Our efforts all connect to core values for the Columbia community: 

• Inclusion and belonging
• Health and well-being
• Sexual respect
• Community citizenship

University Life is a central division focused on enhancing the student experience across Columbia’s 17 schools and colleges. We serve as a student life hub for the University and are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive campus culture where students can thrive in all dimensions of their lives. In University Life, we focus on connecting students to each other, to the broader University and surrounding community, and to opportunities beyond their schools. 

We work to educate students about Columbia’s values and policies and share essential and timely information with students from the University. Through our programs, services, and partnerships, we support students’ educational enrichment during their time at Columbia.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, the Director of Strategic Initiatives, Student Affairs, in partnership with the University Life division, Columbia schools, and central departments, provides planning, implementation, administration, and evaluation support for projects and services. This role will implement process improvement that impacts Columbia University and ensures alignment with the University’s mission and values. 

The Director, in partnership with the University Life leadership and division, will manage new projects and initiatives to meet urgent and ongoing needs of Columbia students. These include quickly lifting up programs and resources in response to global, national, and local events.  The Director will supervise professional staff members. 

The incumbent will also lead time-limited, high-priority special projects and initiatives that advance the mission and goals of University Life. Responsibilities include providing leadership and collaboration with strategic planning working groups, managing key elements of select strategic priorities, authoring resources and documents, managing special project budgets, and related tasks. The person in this role will manage or assist with aspects of operational effectiveness when necessary, including the oversight of planning, analysis, and the implementation and execution of tasks that support University Life programs, personnel, and services.   Projects will vary significantly over time. Some evening and weekend hours may be required.

This individual will also manage University Life’s response and support mechanisms regarding student community response management (across school/ campus-wide/ institutional), including student crisis prevention, protection, mitigation, response, support, and recovery. 

The Director will collaborate with many colleagues and offices on campus, including Deans of Students, the Center for Student Success and Intervention, the Office of Institutional Equity, Public Safety, Academic Affairs, Columbia Health, Student Health on Haven, Ombuds Office, faculty, staff, and students. This position will focus on addressing the ever-changing needs of our community, pop-up initiative,s and time-sensitive priorities for the University community.

Responsibilities

Special Projects: 

• Translate organizational strategy into actionable plans across all functional areas around timely, high-level priorities for University Life and to be responsive to Columbia students and community needs.
• Coordinate time-sensitive, high-priority programs and projects within University Life’s scope of responsibility.
• Ensure seamless cross-functional leadership to integrate program and service delivery on strategic initiatives and special projects across disciplines and departments.
• Organize cross-functional teams and establish clear roles and responsibilities to meet program and project goals in a timely manner.

Leadership and Collaboration:

• Collaborate regularly with various colleagues and departments throughout the University.
• Ensure all student support efforts are transparent to students and stakeholders. 
• Draft communications and reports. 
• Establish student learning outcomes for the portfolio in alignment with divisional SLOs.
• Providing guidance and support to team members, including assigning tasks and delegating responsibilities 
• Coaching and mentoring the Assistant Director of Student Affairs to enhance their skills.
• Identifying and addressing team challenges, facilitating conflict resolution. 
• Communicating project updates and key decisions to stakeholders through regular reports and meetings.
• Managing stakeholder expectations and addressing concerns. 

Response Plan Management:

• Developing and maintaining a comprehensive student community response management plan
• Reviewing and updating the Protocols for Student Emergencies with University stakeholders on an annual basis.  
• Quickly evaluating the situation during a crisis, determining the level of severity, and taking necessary actions in consultation with University Life leadership and critical stakeholders 
• Serve as a liaison to school level student affairs teams as it relates to the Protocols for Student Emergencies.  
• Analyzing University Life’s response to a crisis, identifying areas for improvement, and updating the crisis management plan accordingly. 

Student Affairs Network Support:

• Support the Student Affairs Division leadership with SAN trainings, events (SAN Conference, State of Student Affairs), meetings, and program expansion.
• Through professional organization involvement and independent research, the Director is responsible for staying current on trends and issues related to the field of student crisis prevention, protection, mitigation, community response, support services, and recovery.
• Provide information, training, and coaching to administrators, student groups, and student leaders. 

Other Duties as Assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree preferred.
• 5-7yrs. of related experience, plus four to seven years of relevant administrative and management experience, or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired. 
• Experience with crisis management and project management.
• Knowledge of higher education administration principles, practices and procedures. 
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting Columbia University’s policies and procedures. 
• Ability to write clearly and express ideas logically. 
• Ability to deal effectively with a wide range of individuals/groups within and out of Columbia University.
• The applicant demonstrates and has an understanding of FERPA, Clery, Title IX, Title VI and trends pertaining to crisis response and de-escalation techniques.
• Establishes and maintains productive, collaborative relationships with others. The Director must possess excellent analytical, organizational and interpersonal skills as well as the ability to exercise superior judgment and discretion.  
• The applicant has demonstrated ability to handle multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of professionalism and attention to detail. 
• The applicant will be comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced and detail-oriented environment.
• Strong communication skills, including strong writing skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree preferred in higher education, student personnel administration, counseling, law, social work, psychology or related field. 

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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