• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $140,000-$155,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Director of Human Resources, the Director of Talent Operations and Human Resources plays a pivotal role in both driving strategic initiatives and ensuring the effective execution of day-to-day HR operations. Working closely with the Senior Director, the Director will help set the vision and strategic direction for HR at Columbia Business School (CBS) while also 'rolling up their sleeves' to lead the implementation of key HR processes and systems.This position requires a leader who can operate at both a high strategic level and in the tactical, hands-on management of HR functions. The Director will be responsible for maintaining operational excellence across HR activities, overseeing talent operations, and enhancing the efficiency of HR systems, ensuring alignment with the broader goals of the School and University policies. Successful candidates will balance strategic priorities with hands-on, detailed work to ensure seamless execution and continuous improvement.

About Columbia Business School:

For over a century, Columbia Business School (CBS) 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, 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

• Collaborates with the Senior Director to drive HR initiatives that align with School goals and University policies, ensuring consistency with Columbia Business School's overall strategic objectives.

• Designs and implements key HR initiatives focused on process improvements, HR technology, and data-driven decision-making.

• Supports the Senior Director in driving key HR initiatives, with an emphasis on process improvements, HR technology advancements and data-driven decision-making. Develops and manages detailed project plans, outlining timelines, resource requirements, and milestones to ensure effective execution.

• Partners with leaders across CBS ensuring seamless integration of new systems, policies, and processes.

• Serves as a trusted partner to CBS leadership, provides guidance on workforce planning, and talent development to achieve business objectives.

• Identifies and addresses organizational and people-related challenges, improves work relationships, morale, and productivity.

Operational Excellence & Process Improvement

• Leads the refinement and improvement of HR processes, ensuring best-in-class recruitment, performance management, and retention practices that provide a service-orientated approach to School stakeholders.

• Ensures compliance with University policies, as well as federal, state, and local regulations, serves as HR expert on audit requirements and policy interpretations.

• Conducts regular reviews of HR systems and processes, implementing continuous improvements to streamline operations and enhance efficiencies.

• Evaluates and enhances HR systems, ensuring effective use of technology and data to support organizational goals and operational excellence.

Talent Management Leadership

• In collaboration with the Senior Director, leads the annual merit and performance management process, partners with the leadership to determine annual salary increase, promotions and other compensation decisions.

• Partners with Columbia University Central Human Resources (CUHR) to conduct market compensation analysis, assess internal equity, and ensure fair and competitive compensation for all roles.

• Provides expert guidance on complex employee relations issues, providing recommendations that balance employee needs with organizational goals.

• Works closely with the Office of General Counsel and the CUHR team to ensure compliance with University policies and employment law.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required. Minimum of 5 years of HR experience, with demonstrated experience in talent development and employee relations.

• Strong ability to collaborate with and take direction from senior leadership while maintaining autonomy in executing tasks.

• Must have a growth mindset and experience in coaching.

• Proven ability to work in a high-volume, high-pressure environment requiring confidentiality, discretion, and diplomacy.

• Excellent written, oral communication, and presentation skills, with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to diffuse tense situations.

• Demonstrated ability to manage HR operations and provide solutions in complex environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with higher education institutions.

• Expertise in HR process improvement and change management.

• Experience partnering with senior leaders in a matrixed organization.

• Proven success in managing HR operations, including workforce planning, recruitment, talent management, and compensation practices.

• Ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage change initiatives, and drive organizational effectiveness.

• Strong project management skills, with the capacity to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously and ensure timely completion.

• Experience in designing and executing HR strategies that align with organizational goals and drive impactful results.