Senior Associate Director, Custom Programs

Grade 13

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $83,000 - $95,000
  
  

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

Reporting to the Executive Director of Custom Programs, the Senior Associate Director will play a key role in supporting the Executive Director and the custom programs team, managing a global portfolio of clients, creating polished client presentations, and scheduling client calls. The position involves a mix of administrative, account management, and business development responsibilities, bridging the activities of the custom team with operations, marketing, and program delivery teams.

The Senior Associate Director will support the custom team’s business development efforts, assist in the development of proposal documents, and may occasionally lead specific initiatives. They will work with team members across the custom team, providing an opportunity to develop a comprehensive understanding of Columbia Business School Executive Education's (CBSEE) custom programs, including program design, faculty expertise, teaching methodology, and strategic strengths.

Columbia Business School Executive Education (CBSEE) has a global reputation for the design and delivery of world-class online, open, and customized programs. CBSEE is an entrepreneurial and dynamic business with strong growth ambitions.

As Columbia Business School Executive Education continues to grow its custom programs business it requires polished, proactive and professional key account management and business development as it creates and nurtures lasting relationships with large corporates and other diverse organizations.

About CBS

For over a century, Columbia Business School has helped develop leaders and builders of enterprises who drive value for their stakeholders and society at large through our MBA, MS, PhD, and Executive Education programs. We are equally committed to cultivating new scholars and teachers and to creating and disseminating pathbreaking knowledge, concepts, and tools that advance the understanding and practice of management through our faculty research and PhD programs.

Our vision is simple: to develop ideas and leaders that transform the world—from the very center of business. Our ever-evolving curriculum - featuring pioneering courses, STEM certification, and immersive experiential learning -prepares students to excel in key areas such as digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and innovation, twenty-first century finance, the intersection of business and society, and climate and sustainability. The CBS administration enables CBS’ educational and scholarly mission through strategic and operational guidance and support, optimizing School resources through well-designed, transparent processes with a culture of respect for all.

Responsibilities

• Client Support and Account Management
• Provides first-rate account management for a global portfolio of clients, ensuring seamless coordination and communication.
• Schedules and manages client calls, maintaining a trusted partner relationship.
• Prepares and delivers polished, professional client presentations.
• Project Management
• Utilizes strong project management skills to support the design, development, delivery, and debrief phases of custom engagements.
• Manages multiple project tracks simultaneously, ensuring timely and organized execution.
• Team Collaboration
• Acts as a bridge between the commercial team and the operations team responsible for program delivery.
• Works with the custom programs team on specific custom projects.
• Collaborates with marketing to align on custom project needs, marketing collateral, and client requirements.
• Business Development Support
• Assists in proactive business development activities under the guidance of the Executive Director.
• Supports initial conversations with potential clients and schedules meetings as required.
• Proposal Development and RFP Management
• Assists in the creation of client-facing documents, including proposals and RFP responses, by compiling and organizing necessary information.
• Supports pricing generation for proposals and tracks budgets for live projects and client billing updates, working closely with the Financial Planning Office.
• Faculty and Program Coordination
• Liaises with faculty and teaching staff during program development and execution, coordinating schedules and managing logistics with the operations team.
• Organizes post-program debrief calls and meetings.
• Data Management and Reporting
• Develops proficiency in Salesforce to update accounts, track opportunities, and generate insightful reports.
• Runs monthly department sales figures and provides analytics to support the custom team.
• Administrative Duties
• Handles administrative tasks to ensure smooth operation of the custom team.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 4-6 years of related experience, ideally involving account management, project management, or business development.
• Proven experience in account management with strong commercial awareness.
• Exceptional project management and relationship management skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing abilities.
• Advanced proficiency in PowerPoint and the ability to produce clear, concise, and polished written communications.
• Experience with operational and commercial activities tied to client engagement.
• Ability to multitask effectively, deliver to deadlines, and adapt to different faculty and client styles.
• A genuine interest in executive education and a drive to continuously learn and grow.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and a team-oriented approach.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in any discipline, with some corporate experience preferred.
• Knowledge of Spanish preferred, given the global nature of the client portfolio.
  
  

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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