Job Information
The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York Assistant Director of Practice and Partnerships in New York, New York
- Job Type: Officer of Administration- Regular/Temporary: Regular- Hours Per Week: 35- Salary Range: $82,000-$87,000The 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 SummaryReporting to the Director of the MPA in Development Practice, the Assistant Director (P&P) manages four distinct but interrelated programmatic areas within the MPA-DP-Practice, Partnerships, Alumni Relations, and Gender & Social Inclusion-and plays a key role on the MPA-DP Management Team, supporting the Director by contributing to the general management, strategic vision, research initiatives, and planning of the MPA-DP.At SIPA-the world's leading school of global policy-we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. We work to cultivate these values in our practices, programs and policies. We aim to create a workplace that is welcoming and celebrates the unique lived experiences of all our staff, students and faculty. We are particularly interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the School. Applicants are encouraged to include information in their cover letter about how they will further this goal.ResponsibilitiesPractice (40%):Manages the Professional Summer Placement program, which is the flagship practice program for MPA-DP students. Duties include the following.- Meets with 50+ first-year students annually to map out their experience and sectoral interests and provide related guidance throughout the year.- Plans and executes Pre-Departure Workshops and other trainings. Serves as an overall resource point person during placements. Coordinates deliverable submissions. Ensures effective communication and resource sharing with students throughout the year.- Negotiates terms of reference and co-funding commitments with suitable partner organizations. Identifies external sources of funding. Coordinates the application cycle. Facilitates and monitor students' compliance with Columbia University's International Travel Planning Policy in coordination with Columbia Global Travel and SIPA's Office of Student Affairs. Liaises with faculty and other experts as needed. Develops and initiates program/process enhancements based on student/partner feedback.- Reviews student budget requests, allocates summer stipends in coordination with Student Financial Services and effectively oversees the annual budget of approximately $125,000 Summer Placement. Monitors and reconciles expenses, prepares regular reports and advises the Director on budget issues.- In coordination with SIPA's Office of Career Services, helps identify suitable internship opportunities for MPA-DP students, and shares relevant internship listings and announcements with students.Partnerships (25%):Proactively engages and nurtures relations with key partners working with the program for Professional Summer Placement, Capstone Projects, Internships, DP Seminars, and Job Placement. Duties include the following:- Vets new organizations as credible and ethical program partners through face-to-face and remote meetings with senior and mid-level institutional representatives, attendance at relevant professional meetings and speaking events, and systematic and professional written and oral follow up of opportunities with partners.- Exercises effective, timely management of the partner engagement database.Alumni Relations (15%):Serves as the focal point for communication with more than 600+ MPA-DP alumni and designs and implements alumni engagement strategies in coordination with SIPA's Office of Alumni Affairs. Duties include the following:- Organizes the annual Alumni Weekend (content design, communications, budget management, and social events)- Compiles and distributes a periodic Alumni Newsletter- Creates alumni hubs in key global cities with alumni "ambassadors" (including travel for planned events)- Maintains and improves the alumni database- Enhances the program's use of LinkedIn and other social media platforms to engage the alumni community.Gender and Social Inclusion (10%):Leads the design, management, reporting, and assessment of activities aimed at improving gender mainstreaming and social inclusion within the MPA-DP program. Duties include the following:- Organizes special events and shares information about relevant events with key stakeholders- Identifies relevant resource persons for MPA-DP core courses in close cooperation with faculty- Designs opportunities to integrate a gender and social inclusion lens within MPA-DP programming (including DP seminars, Getting Started, Annual Retreat, and Alumni Weekend).Management and Supervision (10%):Serves as a key member of the MPA-DP Management Team. Duties include the following:- Serves on the MPA-DP Admissions Committee, reviewing 200-300 applications per year- Supervises program assistants to coordinate the Annual Retreat for 100+ students, faculty and staff, write and distribute a weekly events newsletter for students, organize multiple student events and, in the summer, communicate with incoming students and coordinate their week-long Getting Started program- Contribute to data management systems (like DP Analytics)- Represent the MPA-DP in SIPA staff meetings as requested by the Director- Cultivate and strengthen MPA-DP relationships across the SIPA, Earth Institute, and Columbia communities.Performs related duties as assigned or requested.Minimum Qualifications- BA degree and/or its equivalent required.- Must have a minimum of three years of directly related fulltime-equivalent experience.- Outstanding verbal and written communication skills essential.- Must have in-depth knowledge of modern information and communication technologies and be proficient in the use of computers, spreadsheet and database programs and the Internet.- Domestic and international travel is required.Preferred Qualifications- MA, MPA or MBA degree highly desirable.- Developing country experience strongly preferred.- Additional years of directly related experience highly preferred.Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.