Associate Director, Resident Support

Associate Director, Resident Support

• 557455
• New York
• Columbia Residential
• Full Time
• Opening on: May 26 2026
• Grade 14

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• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $115,000 - $125,000

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 Director of Leasing Operations, the Associate Director of Resident Support provides strategic and operational leadership for all resident-facing functions within Columbia Residential. The Associate Director is responsible for cultivating a customer service-driven culture that prioritizes responsiveness, professionalism, and fairness across every resident interaction. This position oversees the Resident Support team, which manages resident inquiries, policy notifications, violations, and issue resolution to ensure a consistent and equitable experience for all tenants.

Responsibilities

• The Associate Director develops and enforces standards of service, including defined response timelines, escalation protocols, and quality benchmarks, to deliver a seamless and efficient resident experience. Oversees the systems, tools, and data processes used to track inquiries and resolutions, ensuring accurate documentation, trend analysis, and accountability
• Manages ongoing relationships with housing liaisons from Columbia's schools and administrative units, ensuring timely communication of housing policies, updates, and initiatives. Serves as a central resource for gathering and sharing feedback to improve transparency and coordination between Columbia Residential and its campus partners
• Oversees student conduct and behavioral issues within Columbia Residential housing. The Associate Director collaborates with the Center for Student Success and Intervention (CSSI), Deans of Students, and other university offices to coordinate case management, mediation, and follow-up to ensure compliance with university policies and community standards
• Leads cross-departmental coordination with the Office of General Counsel (OGC), the University's Legal Services team, and Columbia Residential's Operations team to address complex or sensitive resident concerns requiring policy interpretation, compliance review, or operational intervention. The Associate Director ensures these collaborations are structured, timely, and solution-oriented, with clear communication and consistent documentation
• The Associate Director applies data-driven strategies to identify trends, recommend policy or procedural updates, and strengthen the overall effectiveness of resident engagement and issue resolution. Through collaboration with the Assistant Directors of Student Leasing and Faculty Leasing, the Associate Director ensures alignment of service delivery across all housing portfolios and provides consistent communication on key resident issues. The Associate Director a critical role in implementing policy changes, streamlining processes, and ensuring that Columbia Residential remains responsive, equitable, and efficient in supporting its diverse resident community
• Serves as a leader and mentor, developing a high-performing Resident Support team through training, professional development, and coaching. The Associate Director instills accountability, empathy, and problem-solving as core values, ensuring the team delivers high-quality, customer-centered support aligned with the mission and standards of Columbia Residential
• Performs other duties as assigned or as necessary

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor''s Degree
• Minimum 5 years of related experience required
• Strong skills with the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and Outlook
• Demonstrated technical and analytical skills and proficiency with lease management software systems is required
• Facility with specialized financial reporting and report development tools required
• Experience working with data generated from disparate systems helpful
• Knowledge of data analysis tools and industry-specific software is required
• Required are the abilities to direct data processing and analysis efforts efficiently and with keen attention to detail
• Must demonstrate an ability to exercise sound judgment.
• Patience, tact, and the ability to work well under pressure in a busy office are a necessity
• Must be organized, professional, friendly, enthusiastic and diligent
• Excellent customer service and communication skills, both written and verbal, are required

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree
• Specific housing and Leasing operations, Residence Life, or Customer Service experience
• Experience conducting and evaluating performance assessments

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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