Assistant Director, Academic Operations & Program Administration

Location: Building 722 West 168th Street - 4th Floor. Compensation: $85,000–$105,000. Grade: 105. Job Type: Officer of Administration. Hours: 35 per week. 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 The Assistant Director of Academic Operations & Program Administration serves as the operational leader for the Department of Health Policy and Management’s academic portfolio, overseeing the systems, processes, and administrative infrastructure that support the successful delivery of the department’s educational mission. Reporting to the Managing Director of Academics & Innovation, this position provides strategic and operational leadership across three‑degree programs (MPH, MHA, and MS) and six program formats, including full‑time, part‑time, executive, accelerated, dual and 4+1 offerings. As a highly collaborative and cross‑functional leader, the Assistant Director ensures the seamless administration of academic programs throughout the student lifecycle, from admissions handoff and enrollment through registration, advising, course delivery, graduation, and alumni transition. The role serves as the central point of coordination among faculty, academic affairs, student affairs, enrollment management, finance, human resources, and university partners to ensure consistent, high‑quality educational experiences for students and faculty. The Assistant Director oversees a broad portfolio that includes academic operations, registration and enrollment administration, advising systems and processes, faculty instructional support, curriculum implementation, teaching assistant and graduate student coordinator management, academic technology platforms, faculty effort planning, awards and graduation processes, and student academic records. The position is responsible for managing the department’s academic calendar and course schedules, coordinating faculty teaching assignments and instructional logistics, overseeing registration for required and elective coursework, administering transfer credit and waiver processes, and ensuring compliance with school and university academic policies. In addition to day‑to‑day operational leadership, the Assistant Director plays a critical role in strategic planning and continuous improvement efforts, developing scalable systems and processes that support program growth, new educational initiatives, and evolving student and faculty needs. The position requires exceptional organizational, communication, and relationship‑management skills, as well as the ability to balance competing priorities across multiple programs, stakeholders, and academic cycles. The successful candidate will be a proactive problem solver, trusted partner, and systems thinker who can translate strategic priorities into operational excellence while fostering a culture of service, collaboration, accountability, and innovation across the department’s educational enterprise. Responsibilities Academic Operations (25%) Faculty Support (20%) Advising Administration (15%) Registration (15%) Administrative Coordination (15%) Awards (5%) Other (5%) Minimum Qualifications Requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in education and experience, plus four years of related progressive management experience. Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree in health administration, Healthcare Management, or related field. Minimum of 4 years of progressively responsible experience in academia, healthcare administration, or related field. Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents. #J-18808-Ljbffr Columbia University Irving Medical Center