Assistant Director, Center for Institutional and Social Change

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $65,800 - $69,000

Position Summary

The Center for Institutional and Social Change ("the Center"), housed at Columbia Law School, engages in action-research projects with institutional, community, and student leadership to advance full participation and public problem solving, particularly in the areas of criminal justice, racial justice, and education. The Assistant Director works with minimal oversight and acts as the Center's manager on matters of finance, communication, project development, and administration, and event coordination. In addition, the incumbent will have a significant academic and research support role working closely with the George M. Jaffin Professor of Law and Social Responsibility on her teaching and research activities for the Law School. The Assistant Director will support the Center Faculty Director and Associate Director in Leadership related activities. Finally, the incumbent will be involved heavily in a variety of projects covering subject matter both within and outside the Center, often times acting as the lead on and driving completion of these projects. The Assistant Director reports to the Center's director, who is also a member of the Law School faculty, and works closely with the Project Directors.

Responsibilities

• Provides a wide variety of administrative support for three full time faculty, such as editing and proofreading of course materials and manuscripts; scheduling, course administration, preparing own correspondence and letters on behalf of the professor; screening, referring, and responding to complex inquiries; maintaining complex databases relating to teaching, committee responsibilities and research; managing Center research interviews and transcription services; and maintaining files.
• Manages the Center's activities and provides day-to-day oversight involving Center projects, student services, and event planning and execution. Serves as the chief office administrator.
• Manages and monitors the Center's budgets and finances, ensuring expenses stay within limits, arranges extensive travel itineraries and accommodations. Prepares ad hoc as well as yearly reports, with analysis that details budgetary activity.
• Helps plan and organize Center-related events such as seminars, colloquia, workshops, and conferences. Prepares event schedule for upcoming and future school years.
• Engages in a wide variety of projects, including those that interface with other workshops and centers within the Law School, the University, and outside organizations; collaborates with and supports Leadership Initiative and Center staff and fellows, assigned faculty, and law students.
• Acts as liaison for fellows, grant recipients, students, researchers, practitioners, and faculty in compiling information, maintaining human subjects compliance, and acquiring research and teaching materials.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus a minimum of 2-4 years of administrative experience required, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent organizational, writing, and editing skills required.
• Strong computer skills (Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint strongly preferred).
• Must be well organized, detail-oriented, and work well under pressure to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously in a high-volume operation.
• Must be able to work independently, take initiative, and responsible for complex tasks.
• Able to adapt readily to new technologies.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, prioritize, and carry out tasks with minimal supervision is a must.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with diverse groups, including faculty, students, community advocates, and people with direct experience with the criminal legal system.
• Must have tact, diplomacy, and the ability to exercise judgment in matters that are sensitive and confidential.
• Strongly prefer a candidate who has a special interest in the work of the Center, including social justice and/or law.
• Able to work with diverse constituencies and support an inclusive work environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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