Program Manager, Lenfest Center

Columbia University; New York, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia University in New York invites applications for a Program Manager within the Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy. Reporting to the Faculty Director, you will coordinate Center programs, events, and day-to-day operations, and manage communications, budgets, and sponsor relations.

This role requires strong organizational skills, experience with MS Office, and the ability to work across partners including faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders to ensure program success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent related experience required.
• 2–4 years related experience preferred.
• Experience with financial administration including tracking expenses and processing transactions.
• Strong proficiency with MS Office and Excel; Excel assessment may be required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates Center programs and initiatives, logging timelines, deliverables, and records.
• Supports planning and implementation with faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders to meet priorities and deadlines.
• Maintains project and program management tools to ensure efficient operations and coordination.
• Identifies process improvements and recommends changes to Center leadership.
• Plans Center events and meetings, including travel, venues, catering, and communications with staff and external partners.
• Coordinates recruitment and hiring activities for Center students, researchers, and staff per University procedures.

Skills

Project coordination

Budget management

Communication

Event planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

MS Word

Job description

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $75,500 – $85,150

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 Faculty Director of the Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy and working closely with Center-affiliated faculty, researchers, students, and staff and offices across Columbia, the Program Manager will support the implementation of Center programs and initiatives and coordinate day-to-day operations, communications, events, financial transactions, and related program activities. The position will exercise independent judgment in resolving operational issues, coordinating assigned activities, applying University and sponsor policies, and recommending improvements to established processes and procedures.

Collaboration across disciplines, institutions, and external partners is essential to advancing research, innovation, and scientific discovery. As Columbia Climate School continues to launch new research centers and strategic initiatives, strong administrative and operational support is critical to ensuring their success. These programs often involve complex partnerships with faculty, industry, government agencies, philanthropic organizations, and other University stakeholders, requiring effective program coordination and execution.

Responsibilities

Program Operations and Administration

• Coordinates assigned Center programs and initiatives, including coordinating logistics, tracking timelines and deliverables, maintaining program records, and supporting program evaluation. Programs include Research Award and Fellowship programs, events and seminar series, fundraising initiatives, and other Center activities.
• Supports the planning and implementation of assigned Center programs and initiatives, coordinating activities with faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders and ensuring that established priorities, timelines, and deliverables are met.
• Maintains and applies project and program management tools and established processes to support efficient Center operations and effective coordination among faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders.
• Identifies opportunities to improve established processes and workflows, evaluates potential approaches, and recommends improvements to Center leadership
• Coordinates assigned Center events and meetings, including coordinating speakers and attendees, arranging visitor travel and campus access, securing venues and catering services, coordinating communications, preparing promotional or briefing materials, and supporting in-person logistics in collaboration with Engineering and Climate School events staff.
• Coordinates recruitment and hiring activities for Center students, researchers, and staff, including coordinating postings, interview logistics, onboarding materials, and related administrative functions, in accordance with established University procedures and direction from Center leadership.

Relationship and Partnership Management

• Builds and maintains productive working relationships with collaborating academic units within Columbia and with partner universities.
• Serves as an administrative liaison for Center sponsors and other collaborating entities, coordinating information, meetings, deliverables, and follow-up in accordance with University and Center policies.
• Participates in meetings relating to University-wide initiatives and programs and supports information sharing and coordination among stakeholders.

Communications and Web Management

• Coordinates internal and external communications for the Center, including developing marketing and promotional materials and newsletters, responding to student requests and research inquiries, coordinating press inquiries, facilitating film and print logistics, and maintaining published articles, with support from Engineering and Climate School Communications.
• Maintains the Center website and digital communication platforms, including publishing content, news updates, and announcements that highlight research achievements, events, funding opportunities, and community engagement activities.
• Drafts, edits, and coordinates correspondence and communications on behalf of Center leadership and affiliated faculty.

Financial Transaction Operations

• Coordinates day-to-day financial transactions for the Center, including purchasing requests and requisitions, travel arrangements for Center staff and visitors, journal entries and other transactions, and regular reconciliations in accordance with Columbia and sponsor policies.
• Monitors expenditures against approved budgets, assists with financial tracking and reporting, and works with Center leadership to support sound fiscal management.
• Assists with the preparation of budgets, budget justifications, and supporting documentation for grant proposals, funding applications, and sponsor reporting requirements; applies Columbia and sponsor policies to ensure that materials are compliant.

Performs related duties & responsibilities as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent related experience required; 2 - 4 years related experience;
• Experience with financial administration, including tracking expenses, processing transactions, reconciling accounts, or assisting with project budgets
• Must have strong proficiency with MS Office, including Word and Excel. As part of the applicant process, finalists will be required to complete an Excel skills assessment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities independently and under pressure, exercising sound judgment, strong organizational skills, and exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate tactfully and effectively with staff, faculty, students, alumni, and other stakeholders in both individual and group settings.
• Exercises judgment in resolving operational issues, coordinating stakeholders, and determining appropriate methods for completing assigned work within established policies, procedures, and priorities.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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