Senior Associate Director in the W. Edwards Deming Center

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Building: Geffen Hall
• Salary Range: $87,000 - $98,000

Position Summary

The Deming Center at Columbia Business School sponsors applied research, disseminates best practices, supports focused education and professional development, and fosters partnerships with companies in the area of operational excellence.

The Senior Associate Director oversees and implements a mission-driven roster of program management responsibilities around three major areas: The Deming Cup, The Deming Center Advisory Board, and external outreach and communications strategy, to develop and execute the strategic initiatives of the center. This position reports to the Managing Director and works collaboratively with the Faculty Director as well as other members of the School's Marketing and Communications team (MarCom), Development and Alumni Relations office (DAR), and the Financial Planning Office (FPO).

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 which 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

Event and Program Management

• Independently oversee and project manage all aspects of the annual Deming Cup. This award recognizes senior leaders who have made outstanding contributions in operations within their organization. This includes leading all aspects of the initiative, from the nomination and selection process to the execution of the Deming Cup Award Ceremony. It also requires follow up with Deming Cup winners to bring them to campus and to visit their facilities with faculty and students. The position manages all media inquiries and publicity, nominations process, selection committee stewardship, due diligence, event publicity, all event management pertaining to the award gala, post-event follow-up, etc.
• Independently oversee all aspect of the Advisory Board (AB). This includes nurturing the relationships with the members as well as constantly searching and outreaching to potential new members. The senior associate director is expected to be creative in generating engagement opportunities for all members of the AB while being disciplined and systematic in collecting AB dues on time.
• Independently oversee all aspects of the Supply Chain Innovation Network (SCIN) Initiative. By invitation only, the SCIN gathers leaders from top companies, organizations, the start-up community, and Columbia University to share knowledge through best practice and case study presentations, small group discussions, and peer-to-peer learning modules. Responsibilities for this initiative include working all details related to the sponsorship model (renewing the contract and executing it, including claiming the fees), lead the planning, organization and execution of the four annual events (2 in-person, 2 virtual), constantly engage with members and reach out to potential new members.

Fundraising and Budget Management

• The Deming Cup being the main fundraiser of the center, this position oversees the Deming Cup budget and fundraising objectives of approximately $500K. This includes working with various external constituents to obtain their pledges as well as working with various departments to claim donations and providing financial updates to senior leadership and financial reconciliation and reporting on all accounts.

Stakeholder Relations and Advisory Board

• Leverage all the center's relationships to design and execute other initiatives including the Winners' Lecture Series, Women in Business Series and Distinguished Deming Lecture Series.
• Develop and implement strategic sponsorship opportunities to support the center's fundraising initiatives and partnerships, collaborating with DAR and key stakeholders such as the Deming Cup and Advisory Board affiliates.

Strategic Communications and Outreach

• Design and execute strategic annual external communication and outreach plans. Serve as chief liaison with MarCom and DAR to ensure the timely rollout of targeted, powerful, and effective external communications pieces that increase public awareness of the center's mission, ongoing programs, and current successes. This includes managing high-level communication with key stakeholders, including the Deming Center Advisory Board, Deming Cup selection committee, and prominent corporate leaders, and collaborating with MarCom to produce consistent, impactful messaging and branding across all platforms, supporting organizational priorities and fundraising efforts.
• Maintain and update the center's website, ensuring it aligns with strategic goals and effectively communicates the center's work.

Administrative and Financial Management

• Provide administrative and financial management for the Deming Center including creation of purchase orders for vendors and overseeing payments, obtaining all authorizations needed, overseeing the pledge invoicing and donation collection, etc.
• Provide help with other initiatives of the Deming Center as needed. Perform additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required. Minimum 4-6 years related experience required.
• Must demonstrate autonomy, creativity, and self-drive, consistently maintaining high standards of communication, competence, and integrity with diverse stakeholders, including advisory board members, other Deming Center members and friends, corporate partners, academic advisors, students, and peers across CBS centers and programs.
• Proven ability to exercise excellent judgment in complex situations, handling matters with diplomacy, tact, and discretion.
• Prior experience in communications, with strong capabilities in written, oral, and audiovisual formats. Must excel in creating compelling and timely communication materials for print, audiovisual, and online platforms.
• A strategic thinker who can analyze the "big picture" and approach challenges with a forward-thinking mindset and at the same time be very good with the details for the proper execution.
• A proactive, self-motivated individual who takes full ownership of projects, executing responsibilities with excellence and creativity.
• Strong team player with outstanding interpersonal skills to enhance and diversify the center's media presence and client relations, while fostering sophisticated stewardship of stakeholders and supporters.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree preferred. Five years' experience in nonprofit development, communications, and program management strongly preferred. Fundraising and event management experience are a plus.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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