Associate Director, Center for Institutional and Social Change Columbia Law School

Associate Director, Center for Institutional and Social Change

Columbia Law School

This position encompasses two roles: oversight for the Center for Institutional and Social Change (80%), and administrative support for the faculty member leading this work (20%).

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 higher education, criminal justice, and innovative lawyering. The Associate Director works with minimal oversight and acts as the Center’s manager on matters of finance, communication, project development, administration, and event coordination. In addition, the Associate Director 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. Finally, the Associate Director will be involved heavily in a variety of projects covering subject matter both within and outside the Center, often driving completion of these projects. The Associate Director reports to the Center’s director, who is also a member of the Law School faculty.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Works closely with Center Leadership in strategic planning, identifying and setting goals for programs according to the strategic objectives of the Center. Develops plans to implement programs from start to completion involving deadlines, milestones, strategies, and accountability.
2. Serves as the chief office administrator, managing the Center’s activities and providing day-to-day oversight involving Center operations, record maintenance, fellows, and student research assistants.
3. Manages and monitors Center’s budgets and finance, 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. Works closely with senior leaders and faculty on budget issues; often explains complex budgetary information to this constituency.
4. Identifies funding opportunities and writes grants for the Center, in collaboration with Center Director and Center fellows.
5. Serves as the project director for the Center fellows, which includes implementing programming, in collaboration with the Director and the fellows, coordinating schedules, overseeing events, and developing accountability systems for these programs.
6. Generates ideas for, plans, and organizes Center-related events such as seminars, colloquia, workshops, and conferences. Oversees all event planning and execution. Prepares and publicizes event schedules for upcoming and future school years.
7. Manages and 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 Center staff and fellows, faculty, and law students.
8. Acts as liaison for fellows, students, researchers, practitioners, and faculty in compiling information, maintaining human subjects’ compliance, and acquiring research and teaching materials.
9. Supervises work-study students and other center staff on administrative duties and logistics related to the Center.
10. Builds and maintains the Center’s interactive websites and social media channels. Works closely with Center fellows, leadership, and the communications team to devise and implement communications content and strategies for the Center.
11. Co-writes and edits articles, reports, and other publications on Center work, in collaboration with the Center Director.
12. Administers and attends Center-sponsored programs and meetings, takes and synthesizes notes, identifies and assigns action items, and compiles summaries and next steps to be shared with stakeholders.
13. Supports the faculty and students involved in Lawyer-Leadership: Leading Self, Leading Others, Leading Change.
14. Provides a wide variety of administrative support, such as editing and proofreading of course materials and manuscripts; scheduling; course administration; preparing correspondence and letters on behalf of faculty; 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.
15. Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s degree, a minimum of 5–7 years of administrative experience required, or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Excellent organizational, writing, and editing skills required. Must have strong computer skills. (Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint strongly preferred.) Must be well organized, detail oriented, and able to work well under pressure to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously in a high-volume operation. Must be able to work independently and take initiative and responsibility for complex tasks. Must be 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 and students. 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. Must be able to work with diverse constituencies and support an inclusive work environment.

Please apply here: https://opportunities.columbia.edu/en-us/job/515421/associate-director-center-for-institutional-and-social-change

Columbia University is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran and is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.