Academic Affairs Manager

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $80,000 - $85,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Academic Administration and Finance and working closely with departmental leadership, the Academic Affairs Manager oversees the day-to-day coordination of curricular processes, language program administration, and undergraduate academic support, serving as a key administrative contact for academic matters and partnering closely with the Registrar's Office, the Committee on Instruction, and other University offices to manage course scheduling, classroom assignments, bulletins, and related academic processes in accordance with University policies and deadlines. The successful incumbent will be able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while applying strong skills in data management, reporting, and analysis. EALAC is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment and to providing meaningful opportunities for creativity and professional growth.

The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures (EALAC) has long been recognized as an international leader in the study of the histories, literature, cultures, religions, and languages of East Asia. EALAC's coverage has historically comprised the cultures and languages of China, Japan, and Korea. In 2005, the department expanded its expertise to Tibetan Studies, which has become a major field of study at Columbia University, and in 2017, EALAC enlarged its East Asian scope to include the culture, history, and languages of Vietnam. Our language lecturers provide language instruction in modern Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Tibetan, and Vietnamese, and our faculty and lecturers provide instruction in the classical languages as well, in classical Chinese, classical Japanese, kanbun, mixed-script Korean, and classical Tibetan.

Responsibilities

Curricular Management

• Manage EALAC's curricular administration, including course planning, scheduling support, and related academic processes. Compile information and provide recommendations to departmental leadership regarding course offerings, instructional needs, and adjunct appointments.
• Oversee the assignment of departmental classroom spaces and Registrar-managed classroom spaces.
• Review and prepare course schedules to support compliance with Arts and Sciences guidelines and academic deadlines.
• Maintain course bulletins, academic calendars, and related departmental academic records.

Language Programs

• Serve as the departmental administrative liaison to EALAC's five language programs (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Tibetan, Vietnamese). Oversee the administration of EALAC's language curricula.
• In partnership with the DAAF, oversee the Language Program Committee. Create and curate materials for the meetings and oversee all follow-up.
• Administer lecturer review processes in collaboration with the DAAF and relevant Arts and Sciences offices.
• Coordinate East Asian language placement testing schedules and related communications in partnership with Language Program Directors and Barnard College.

Undergraduate Academic Support

• In partnership with the DAAF, manage the administration of the undergraduate program, including major and minor declarations, degree audits, and degree certification in partnership with the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
• Ideate and execute departmental events promoting undergraduate engagement in East Asian Studies at Columbia.
• Advise students and respond to academic inquiries regarding undergraduate curriculum, policies, and departmental procedures through email, phone, and in-person meetings.
• Generate and file time-sensitive academic verification letters and other student-facing documents, ensuring accuracy and timely processing.

Data, Reporting, Analysis, and Academic Records

• Produce enrollment, course, and student data reports for departmental leadership. Analyze data trends and provide information to support academic planning and decision-making using University systems, including CourseWorks, Student Information Systems, Course Management, Vergil, Slate, and SSOL.
• Monitor degree certification lists from the Registrar and submit and track student degree applications and scheduling paperwork.
• Maintain academic records and departmental databases, including current student and alumni outcomes data.

Departmental Academic Operations

• Maintain and update academic content on the department website and coordinate the distribution of academic announcements through newsletters, listservs, and other communication channels.
• Prepare meeting materials and record minutes for departmental academic meetings and committees.
• Perform related duties and special projects as assigned in support of departmental academic operations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent and 2 years of related work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Four years of full-time experience working in a higher education environment with progressively increasing responsibilities strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with University-level academic systems (e.g., SSOL, Vergil, SIS, CourseWorks/Canvas, Course Management, SLATE, etc.) strongly preferred.
• Experience with data analysis, reporting, and program coordination strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in Google Suite (Google Docs, Sheets, Forms, etc.) preferred.
• Knowledge of and/or prior study of an East Asian language preferred.
• Experience living and/or working in East Asia strongly preferred.

Other Requirements

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with a diverse body of faculty, staff, students, and visitors with excellent customer service orientation.
• Must take direction well and possess the ability to prioritize multiple concurrent projects with shifting deadlines under minimal supervision.
• Outstanding organization skills and attention to detail required.
• Must be a team player with sound judgment and a positive professional attitude.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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