• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $95,000-$115,000

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Position Summary

The Associate Director establishes and maintains relationships with employers, industry partners, and alumni to drive internship and full-time career placement opportunities for students in the Master of Science Data Science program at Columbia University. They will act as a liaison between the Data Science Institute and employers, advocating for students’ capabilities and fostering a pipeline of career recruitment opportunities in data-driven and technology industries. The Associate Director has three main key goals, including (1) match and place as many students in the defined cohort in full-time and internship opportunities; (2) develop leads to generate career opportunities for students; and (3) develop key employer partnerships to foster placement of students and engagement with the Institute.

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Responsibilities

Employer Cultivation and Relationship Management

• Identify and establish relationships with employers seeking candidates for data science, analytics, machine learning, AI, and other roles aligned with the MS in Data Science program.

• Develop partnerships with local, national, and international companies to increase student job and internship opportunities.

• Maintain ongoing engagement with alumni to support networking, job placement initiatives, and mentoring.

• Organize regular employer check-ins to assess hiring needs and promote Master of Science Data Science program talent.

• Actively promote the MSDS program to prospective employers and industry leaders.

• Design and deliver marketing materials that highlight student achievements, program curriculum, and success stories.

• Facilitate employer participation in capstone projects, research collaborations, and mentorship opportunities.

Career Events and Programming

• Plan and execute career fairs, employer info sessions, and on-campus/virtual recruiting events tailored to the Master of Science Data Science students to facilitate career placement.

• Host employer panels, workshops, and networking events to expose students to job opportunities and industry trends.

• Collaborate with faculty and program leadership to align recruitment events with academic calendars and student availability.

Student Engagement and Mentorship

• Serve as the primary career resource for MSDS students, educating them on employer needs and market expectations.

• Collaborate with the Columbia Engineering Graduate Career Placement team to support students career readiness such as resume preparation, interview readiness, and professional branding.

• Serve as an advocate for the students to employers and industry contacts; obtaining feedback to facilitate matching students to employers and opportunities.

Data Collection and Reporting

• Track and report job placement statistics, employer engagement metrics, and student employment outcomes to inform program success.

• Analyze employer feedback and hiring trends to improve recruitment initiatives and align student preparation efforts.

• Maintain accurate employer contacts and opportunities records within the within the career services database.

Industry and Program Collaboration

• Work closely with the Strategic Partnerships team, and program leadership to understand curriculum offerings and student skill sets.

• Collaborate with industry professionals to align educational outcomes with employer needs.

• Advocate for data science program graduates by showcasing their expertise in programming languages, data analysis, machine learning, and real-world projects.

Continuous Improvement

• Stay informed about hiring trends in data science, AI, and related fields.

• Work with internal teams to develop strategies for enhancing employer partnerships and career outcomes for students.

• Provide recommendations for program enhancements based on industry insights and employer needs.

• Other duties as assigned.

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Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required, ideally in business, higher education, data science, or a related field.
• 4-6 years of experience in employer relations, recruiting, business development, or career services.
• Proven ability to engage and maintain relationships with employers and industry stakeholders.
• A client-focused and improvement-oriented mindset is essential.
• Knowledge of data science, analytics, and technology-related job markets and skills.
• Strong communication, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to work with diverse groups, including students, faculty, employers, and alumni.

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Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree preferred.

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Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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