Senior Associate Director of Administration
- Job Type: Officer of Administration
- Bargaining Unit:
- Regular/Temporary: Regular
- End Date if Temporary:
- Hours Per Week: 35
- Standard Work Schedule:
- Building:
- Salary Range: $82,000 - $90,000 Annually
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions, the Senior Associate Director manages the day-to-day financial and operational activities for the Enrollment Group. The incumbent is responsible for operational effectiveness, budget tracking, and staff-related administrative management, ensuring all activities remain in strict compliance with University and College policies.
Responsibilities
Financial Operations & Budget Coordination
-
Workflow Management: Manages the daily financial activities for approximately 36 distinct chartstrings across the Admissions, Financial Aid, and Visitors Center units.
-
Budget Tracking: Executes budget allocations and monitors expenditures; assists in the fiscal year close-out process in coordination with the College Finance office.
-
Budget Planning – Allocates and confirms the Enrollment Group annual budget in close consultation with the Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions.
-
Policy Compliance: Serves as a subject matter expert on financial processes; ensures all departmental spending aligns with University accountability standards; communicates this to the Enrollment Group staff.
-
Transaction Oversight: Reviews and processes requisitions, vouchers, purchase orders, and Concur expense reports; manages P-Card and corporate card administration; works with Columbia College finance to resolve issues.
-
Reporting: Reconciles monthly financial statements and prepares budget variance reports for leadership review to inform future forecasting.
-
Vendor Relations: Manages vendor onboarding through PaymentWorks and monitors contract approvals.
Staff Operations & Administrative Management
-
Administrative Coordination: Coordinates staff-related administrative processes for the Enrollment Group, ensuring a supportive and organized work environment.
-
Onboarding/Offboarding: Manages the operational logistics of staff transitions, including technology setup, system access, and the recovery of University property.
-
Timekeeping & Payroll: Reviews and processes adjunct timesheets (approximately 20 individuals) and confirms student payroll activities for the VC/RC teams.
-
Policy Implementation: Maintains and communicates departmental policies regarding time-off, vacation scheduling, and local administrative practices.
-
Engagement Support: Coordinates staff recognition activities, service milestones, and departmental celebrations; ensures staff support for Columbia College-wide events.
-
Records Maintenance: Manages organizational charts, staff directories, and internal emergency contact lists and plans.
Facilities & Office Operations
-
Logistics Management: Oversees facilities and office management to ensure a safe and efficient working environment across Hamilton Hall, Lerner Hall, and the Visitors Center.
-
Maintenance Liaison: Acts as the primary point of contact for University Facilities regarding repairs, space updates, and security access (keys, door codes); acts as the primary point of contact for Columbia College Information Technology for technology-related issues and deployments.
-
Asset Management: Tracks office equipment, furnishings, and technology assets; submits service requests for staff hardware and software needs.
-
Event Planning: Organizes internal office events, including catering, venue coordination, and welcome/farewell gatherings.
Operational Support & Compliance
-
Leadership Support: Provides administrative support to the Enrollment Group leadership team, including coordinating internal communications.
-
Operating Policies and Procedures: Works with the Executive Director and the leadership teams to develop, recommend and implement operating policies and procedures for efficient functioning of the unit.
-
Compliance: Ensures all administrative and financial activities comply with University, NCAA, and Ivy League policies.
Other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree and or equivalent.
- 3–5 years of progressive experience in financial operations and administrative management within a complex organization.
- Strong proficiency in financial systems (e.g., ARC, Concur, CU Marketplace).
- Demonstrated ability to manage high-volume administrative workflows with precision and a focus on process improvement.
- Exceptional analytical, communication, and organizational skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working within a diverse, urban academic community is highly valued.
- Proficiency with University systems such as ARC, Concur, CU Marketplace, and PaymentWorks desired
- Advanced degree in Higher Education Administration, Public Administration, Business, or related discipline preferred.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.