Operations Manager

Job no: 514129

Position type: Staff

Location: New York

Categories: Administrative/Professional, Hybrid

Posting Summary:

The Office of Community Affairs takes a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach powered by a focus on shared values, extending its work to all members within Teachers College—students, faculty, staff, and visitors—and the surrounding external community. Structured around engagement and infrastructure, the office seeks to build strong relationships with internal departments that advance communities even beyond the TC walls. The office draws on Teachers College's historical commitment to social justice to implement comprehensive, multi-faceted initiatives.

Job Summary/Basic Function:

The Office Operations Manager is a self-starter who will work effectively in a fast-paced office that supports all matters related to community affairs at Teachers College. This position is responsible for ensuring the efficient coordination of operational, financial, event, and executive support activities. The Operations Manager serves as the primary support to the Associate Vice President and to the Office of Community Affairs. The Office Operations Manager also serves as the central point of contact for office visitors and general inquiries. This position requires exceptional organizational skills, strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to exercise discretion in a fast-paced, highly confidential environment.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Community Affairs

• Support the planning, logistics, and execution of OCA programs, trainings, and community engagement initiatives, including space coordination, materials preparation, and vendor communication.
• Collect, track, and compile analytical data related to events and initiatives to support reporting, assessment, and performance metrics.
• Coordinate celebratory displays and initiatives that promote engagement.
• Assist in developing and delivering operational guidance related to grants, event procedures, and office processes.
• Manage and monitor shared OCA resources (e.g., mediation room, lactation room), ensuring appropriate scheduling and access.
• Serve on assigned committees and working groups to facilitate communication and support alignment with community needs.
• Utilize CRM software and advanced data management tools to document interactions with internal/external stakeholders and improve administrative workflows
• Collect, track, and compile analytical data related to events and initiatives to support reporting, assessment, and performance metrics.

Office Management and Administrative Support

• Provide direct executive-level support to the Associate Vice President, including management of a complex calendar, coordination of meetings and events, preparation of briefing materials, travel arrangements, and expense processing.
• Plan, organize, and oversee daily administrative and operational functions of the Office of Community Affairs to ensure efficiency, responsiveness, and alignment with institutional priorities.
• Manage and monitor office budgets and expenditures; develop tracking systems to forecast programmatic, grant, and vendor expenses; process invoices and budget transfers in accordance with College procedures.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the Office; manage confidential mail, email, and phone communications; draft and proofread correspondence; ensure timely follow-up on inquiries.
• Develop and maintain electronic and physical filing systems, including confidential and case-related documentation, ensuring accuracy, organization, and compliance with institutional protocols.
• Manage office supplies, equipment, facilities requests, website updates, and internal resource materials to ensure seamless day-to-day operations.
• Work collaboratively with internal TC offices to coordinate processes, manage workflows, and support the operational needs of the OCA team.

Operations & Case Management

• Provide administrative support related to case intake, documentation tracking, data entry, and file maintenance in accordance with College policies and confidentiality standards.
• Support the triage and coordination of office priorities to ensure timely handling of sensitive matters.
• Perform additional administrative and operational responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in education, training, and experience.
• Two (2) years of administrative, events or project management experience with a proven record of success working independently to scope, plan, and manage projects and programs, setting priorities, creating workflows, and managing stakeholder engagement and accountability.
• Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) as well as the ability to learn new technology.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced office.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to multitask and prioritize projects.
• Excellent judgment, time management, verbal, and exceptional writing skills.
• People-oriented with the ability to communicate effectively, build, and maintain authentic relationships with a diverse population.
• Experience working with websites, newsletters, and basic graphic design.
• Experience working with basic graphic programs (Canva, InDesign, etc.).
• Highly collaborative within a team setting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Public Administration, Social Work, Counseling, Organizational Leadership, or another related field.
• Experience working within a college or university setting.
• Experience with digital design platforms (Canva/Adobe Suite) and data collection tools (Qualtrics/CRM systems)
• Experience working in a compliance-related office.
• Demonstrated understanding of community affairs in higher education.
• Familiarity with higher education administration, nonprofit administration, or a related social justice background.

Salary Range:

$66,400.00 - $80,000.00

Work Modality:

Hybrid

Competitive Compensation and Benefits

The salary range reflects the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for the position at the time of the job posting. Salary decisions are dependent on several factors including but not limited to market and organizational considerations, experience, and qualifications of a selected candidate as well as internal and external equity.

Our benefits contribute significantly to the total compensation package that includes medical, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance plans; flexible and hybrid work schedules; tuition remission; life insurance; short and long-term disability insurance; an exceptional employer retirement matching program; health savings accounts (HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, and a robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Hybrid/Remote

Teachers College maintains a hybrid work environment, which provides employees with flexible work arrangements while ensuring we preserve the important aspects of our unique in-person college-campus culture. Depending on role and business needs, colleagues will either work onsite or in a hybrid model (a combination of in-office and virtual days). Employees are expected to live within a 150-mile radius of the College.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Teachers College is committed to fostering an inclusive academic community and to providing equal opportunity in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, color, sex, religion, creed, national origin, age, citizenship, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable law.

If you would like to discuss any disability-related accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, or a similar law, related to applying for employment at Teachers College, Columbia University, please email the Office of Access and Services for Individuals with Disabilities: [email protected]

Advertised: Mar 19, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: