Associate Director, Career Development and Industry Relations

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $95,000-$105,000

Position Summary

The Department of Statistics at Columbia University is seeking an experienced, strategic professional to serve as the Associate Director of Career Development and Industry Relations for the MA in Statistics program. Reporting to the MA Program Director, this role provides leadership and oversight of career development, professional growth, alumni engagement, and industry relations initiatives for the program. The Associate Director of Career Development and Industry Relations focuses on shaping the program's strategic vision, coordinating cross-functional efforts, and ensuring that student and alumni/industry initiatives align with departmental and university priorities, supporting a population of over 600 students.

The Department of Statistics at Columbia University is an intellectually vibrant and interdisciplinary hub, committed to pioneering research, rigorous training, and broad impact across theory, methodology, and application. The department hosts world-class faculty and students working in probability, statistical theory, computational methods, data science, and interdisciplinary domains, supported by a range of centers, including the Applied Statistics Center and the Center for Applied Probability. The programs, spanning undergraduate, master's, and PhD levels, are designed for flexibility, rigor, and real-world relevance, equipping graduates to pursue careers in academia, industry, and beyond.

This position follows a hybrid schedule of three days on-site and two days remote. During periods of peak activity or operational need, additional on-site presence may be required.

Responsibilities

Career Development

• Provide strategic guidance and oversight for all career development and professional growth initiatives within the MA in Statistics program.
• Manage the career coaching services within the Statistics Department, supporting MA students and providing training to MA staff who also deliver career coaching.
• Develop and implement strategic solutions to scale career coaching services within the Statistics Department.
• Collaborate with the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Compass and develop proposals to establish partnerships with other university-wide career services offices, including but not limited to Columbia Engineering and the Business School, to enhance support for student and alumni outcomes.
• Monitor trends in student career outcomes, labor markets, and alumni engagement to inform strategic planning and program enhancement.
• Ensure effective integration of career and professional development initiatives with academic programming, student recruitment, and alumni engagement.
• Provide input on communications, reports, and high-level program materials, contributing insights for internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage large-scale mock interview events, both virtual and in-person, leveraging alumni and employer networks to participate in these sessions.
• Lead and design the Department's Professional Development Workshop series, co-teaching with MA Statistics career officers, industry volunteers, and University career services staff.
• Design and facilitate a virtual Summer Professional Development Bootcamp offered during the summer term for students in the Risk and Financial Modeling Track.
• Contribute to the professional development content of the MA Statistics newsletter.
• This position is evaluated based on MA student placement rates and student satisfaction with internal career resources.

Alumni Relations

• Lead alumni and student and alumni networking events designed to strengthen alumni relationships and enhance the student experience.
• Provide leadership for the Industry and Alumni Mentorship Program, guiding its growth to maximize access and impact for students.
• Oversee the Alumni Professional Database, ensuring accurate, up-to-date information and promoting high engagement.

Industry Relations

• Represent the program externally to employers, alumni, and professional networks to enhance career opportunities and program visibility.
• Create and maintain resume books, proactively engaging industry partners to promote student visibility and opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with industry partners to facilitate their engagement in the MA program's Capstone Project course and expand internship, mentorship, and experiential learning opportunities for students, enhancing practical exposure and employer engagement.
• Coordinate outreach and manage speaker invitations for the Practitioners Seminar Series.

Other Responsibilities

• Assist with managing the MA program's primary email inbox and responding to student inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
• Support admissions activities during peak periods, as needed.
• Provide content for the program website related to academics, student affairs, and curricular updates, and regularly review the GSAS program page to ensure the information is up-to-date.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and or equivalent related experience.
• 3-5 years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree preferred.
• Significant experience (5 or more years) in higher education administration, career development, or professional development leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to lead programs, mentor staff, and manage multiple initiatives strategically.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proven ability to build partnerships, work collaboratively across teams, and align initiatives with institutional goals.
• Commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
• Knowledge of statistics, mathematics, STEM fields, or related industries.
• Experience working with international students and diverse populations.
• Demonstrated success in establishing employer and alumni partnerships.

Other Requirements

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain high confidentiality and professionalism with a client focus.
• Strong multi-tasking, prioritization, and organization skills.
• Attention to detail, research, critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Self-starter, a fast learner who can work independently under limited supervision.
• Work well in an interactive team environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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