Associate Director, Career Development, Strategy & Analytics

About this role

Position Summary

The Department of Statistics at Columbia University is seeking an experienced, strategic professional to serve as the Associate Director, Career Development, Strategy & Analytics for the MA in Statistics programs. The Associate Director leads the delivery of comprehensive career development services for students across the Department’s master’s programs, supporting their professional development throughout the academic experience and transition into the workforce. The role provides individualized career advising; develops and delivers career workshops, programming, and resources; and cultivates relationships with employers and industry partners to expand career opportunities for students and strengthen industry engagement. The Associate Director also oversees the collection, analysis, and reporting of career development and employment data across the master’s programs. This individual leverages data and insights to assess student needs, identify career trends and opportunities, evaluate the effectiveness of career programming, and inform the strategic direction and priorities for the Department’s career development initiatives.

The Department of Statistics at Columbia University is an intellectually vibrant and interdisciplinary hub, committed to pioneering research, rigorous training, and broad impact across theory, methodology, and application. The department hosts world-class faculty and students working in probability, statistical theory, computational methods, data science, and interdisciplinary domains, supported by a range of centers, including the Applied Statistics Center and the Center for Applied Probability. The programs, spanning undergraduate, master’s, and PhD levels, are designed for flexibility, rigor, and real-world relevance, equipping graduates to pursue careers in academia, industry, and beyond.

This position follows a hybrid schedule of three days on-site and two days remote. During periods of peak activity or operational need, additional on-site presence may be required.

Responsibilities

Career Development

• Develop and implement strategic solutions to scale career coaching services within the Statistics Department.
• Lead the delivery of individualized career coaching and strategic professional development services for approximately 600 master’s students in the MA in Statistics program.
• Collaborate with the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Compass and develop proposals to establish partnerships with other university-wide career services offices, including Columbia Engineering and the Business School, to enhance support for student and alumni outcomes.
• Ensure effective integration of career and professional development initiatives with academic programming, student recruitment, and alumni engagement.
• Provide input on communications, reports, and high-level program materials, contributing insights for internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage large-scale mock interview events, both virtual and in-person, leveraging alumni and employer networks to participate in these sessions.
• Contribute to the Department’s Professional Development Workshop series, co-teaching with MA Statistics career officers, industry volunteers, and University career services staff.
• Contribute to a virtual Summer Professional Development Bootcamp offered during the summer term.
• Contribute to the professional development content of the MA Statistics newsletter.
• This position is evaluated based on MA student placement rates and student satisfaction with internal career resources.

Analytics

• Monitor trends in student career outcomes, labor markets, and alumni engagement to inform strategic planning and program enhancement.
• Establish and track key metrics related to career engagement, student participation, employer relationships, and post-graduation outcomes.
• Leverage career data and analytics to support long-term planning and strategic decision-making related to career development across the master’s programs.
• Manage and maintain an alumni career database, including the collection and tracking of career outcomes and professional trajectories following graduation. Conduct post-graduation surveys as well as longitudinal alumni surveys at key milestones, including five- and ten-year intervals, to assess career progression and inform career development strategy.
• Provide analytical support across team functions, particularly admissions, by developing and interpreting data and key metrics to identify trends, evaluate outcomes, inform strategic decision-making, and drive continuous program improvement.

Alumni & Industry Relations

• Contribute to student and alumni networking events designed to strengthen alumni relationships and enhance the student experience.
• Represent the program externally to employers, alumni, and professional networks to enhance career opportunities and program visibility.
• Build and maintain relationships with industry partners to facilitate their engagement in the MA program’s Capstone Project course and expand internship, mentorship, and experiential learning opportunities for students, enhancing practical exposure and employer engagement.

Other Responsibilities

• Assist with managing the MA program’s primary email inbox and responding to student inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
• Support admissions activities during peak periods, as needed.
• Provide content for the program website related to academics, student affairs, and curricular updates, and regularly review the GSAS program page to ensure the information is up-to-date.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent related experience.
• 3-5 years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Significant experience (5 or more years) in higher education administration, career development, or professional development leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to lead programs, mentor staff, and manage multiple initiatives strategically.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong data analysis skills.
• Proven ability to build partnerships, work collaboratively across teams, and align initiatives with institutional goals.
• Commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
• Knowledge of statistics, mathematics, STEM fields, or related industries.
• Experience working with international students and diverse populations.
• Demonstrated success in establishing employer and alumni partnerships.

Other Requirements

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain high confidentiality and professionalism with a client focus.
• Strong multitasking, prioritization, and organization skills.
• Attention to detail, research, critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Self-starter and fast learner who can work independently under limited supervision.
• Ability to work effectively in an interactive team environment.