Project Director Jobs at Columbia University with Visa Sponsorship
Columbia University hires Project Directors across research centers, academic departments, and sponsored programs, where roles typically require managing complex, grant-funded initiatives. Columbia has an established international hiring infrastructure and sponsors multiple visa categories for qualified Project Directors, making it a realistic target for international candidates.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Type: Officer of Administration
Bargaining Unit:
Regular/Temporary: Regular
End Date if Temporary:
Hours Per Week: 35
Standard Work Schedule:
Building:
Salary Range: $70,000 - $80,000
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 Assistant Dean of Summer Session and Visiting Student Programs, the Assistant Director is responsible for the administration and continuous improvement of Certificate Programs and select Summer Session departments, with additional support across Visiting Student Programs, and continuing education offerings.
This role leads day-to-day program operations, academic planning, and assessment efforts, ensuring compliance with University guidelines while advancing program quality, growth, and strategic priorities. Serving as a key liaison across academic departments and partner schools, the Assistant Director builds and maintains strong relationships with faculty and departmental staff that are critical to program success and a high-quality student experience.
Responsibilities
Program Management
- Lead the administration and continuous improvement of A&S Certificate Programs (Classics, Psychology, Quantitative Studies in Finance, and Ecology, Evolution & Environmental Biology) and assigned Summer Session departments
- Direct program operations across academic year and summer terms, ensuring alignment with University policies, academic standards, and divisional priorities
- Serve as a primary liaison to assigned academic departments and faculty across A&S divisions, exercising independent judgment in program coordination and issue resolution
- Ensure compliance with University policies, including Provost’s Office guidelines, and applicable New York State Education Department (NYSED) requirements for certificate programs
- Ensure compliance with academic policies of Summer Session courses, such as scheduling, contact hours, course descriptions, course numbers, course requirements, course points, and faculty guidelines for Summer programs
- Manage the course proposal process for assigned Summer Session departments, including liaising with Departmental Representatives, Chairs, faculty, Directors of Academic Administration & Finance, and Committee on Instruction (COI)
- Manage instructional staffing processes, including faculty and teaching assistant nominations, and coordinate with SPS Faculty Affairs on appointments and compensation
- Lead program assessment and evaluation efforts; analyze data and trends to inform decision-making, improve program quality, and support strategic growth
- Monitor program budgets and financial activity, including reviewing trial balances and supporting reconciliations; identify variances and escalate issues as appropriate
- Monitor enrollments and provide recommendations to increase yield rates and decrease melt. Work with academic departments to make adjustments in course caps, waitlists, and sections
- Collaborate with program directors to review admissions applications and conduct degree conferral audits
- Support the implementation of new program initiatives and enhancements across the portfolio, including select continuing education and Visiting Student Programs
Stakeholder Engagement and Program Development
- Serve as a key partner to internal and external stakeholders, building strong relationships to support program success and cross-school collaboration
- Cultivate relationships with Program Directors and advising teams to ensure alignment on program requirements, student support strategies, and timely resolution of any student issues
- Support the development and refinement of Focus Areas within Visiting Student Programs
- Collaborate with Student Affairs to design co-curricular programming that enhances the academic and student experience
- Collaborate with Admissions and Recruitment to support yield strategies, including leading information sessions and evaluating prospective student engagement trends
- Partner with web and communications teams to maintain accurate program information and enhance digital user experience
- Partner with departments and media teams to develop and manage strategic marketing assets (e.g., faculty features, student testimonials, multimedia content)
- May be responsible for managing/supervising the work of one (1) or more employees
- Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned/requested
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree and/or its equivalent related experience required
- 3 years related experience
- A resume and cover letter must be submitted for consideration
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in an academic environment
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office/Google suite
- Competencies in multiple areas of higher education management, including admissions, marketing & recruitment, student affairs, and budget reconciliation. Part of previous innovative program expansion
- Proficient in qualitative and quantitative data analysis
- Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills required
- Slate (or related database application)
- Collaboration software (Zoom, Adobe Connect, Canvas)
- Experience in a supervisory role including the training and development of staff is strongly preferred
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.
Job Type: Officer of Administration
Bargaining Unit:
Regular/Temporary: Regular
End Date if Temporary:
Hours Per Week: 35
Standard Work Schedule:
Building:
Salary Range: $70,000 - $80,000
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 Assistant Dean of Summer Session and Visiting Student Programs, the Assistant Director is responsible for the administration and continuous improvement of Certificate Programs and select Summer Session departments, with additional support across Visiting Student Programs, and continuing education offerings.
This role leads day-to-day program operations, academic planning, and assessment efforts, ensuring compliance with University guidelines while advancing program quality, growth, and strategic priorities. Serving as a key liaison across academic departments and partner schools, the Assistant Director builds and maintains strong relationships with faculty and departmental staff that are critical to program success and a high-quality student experience.
Responsibilities
Program Management
- Lead the administration and continuous improvement of A&S Certificate Programs (Classics, Psychology, Quantitative Studies in Finance, and Ecology, Evolution & Environmental Biology) and assigned Summer Session departments
- Direct program operations across academic year and summer terms, ensuring alignment with University policies, academic standards, and divisional priorities
- Serve as a primary liaison to assigned academic departments and faculty across A&S divisions, exercising independent judgment in program coordination and issue resolution
- Ensure compliance with University policies, including Provost’s Office guidelines, and applicable New York State Education Department (NYSED) requirements for certificate programs
- Ensure compliance with academic policies of Summer Session courses, such as scheduling, contact hours, course descriptions, course numbers, course requirements, course points, and faculty guidelines for Summer programs
- Manage the course proposal process for assigned Summer Session departments, including liaising with Departmental Representatives, Chairs, faculty, Directors of Academic Administration & Finance, and Committee on Instruction (COI)
- Manage instructional staffing processes, including faculty and teaching assistant nominations, and coordinate with SPS Faculty Affairs on appointments and compensation
- Lead program assessment and evaluation efforts; analyze data and trends to inform decision-making, improve program quality, and support strategic growth
- Monitor program budgets and financial activity, including reviewing trial balances and supporting reconciliations; identify variances and escalate issues as appropriate
- Monitor enrollments and provide recommendations to increase yield rates and decrease melt. Work with academic departments to make adjustments in course caps, waitlists, and sections
- Collaborate with program directors to review admissions applications and conduct degree conferral audits
- Support the implementation of new program initiatives and enhancements across the portfolio, including select continuing education and Visiting Student Programs
Stakeholder Engagement and Program Development
- Serve as a key partner to internal and external stakeholders, building strong relationships to support program success and cross-school collaboration
- Cultivate relationships with Program Directors and advising teams to ensure alignment on program requirements, student support strategies, and timely resolution of any student issues
- Support the development and refinement of Focus Areas within Visiting Student Programs
- Collaborate with Student Affairs to design co-curricular programming that enhances the academic and student experience
- Collaborate with Admissions and Recruitment to support yield strategies, including leading information sessions and evaluating prospective student engagement trends
- Partner with web and communications teams to maintain accurate program information and enhance digital user experience
- Partner with departments and media teams to develop and manage strategic marketing assets (e.g., faculty features, student testimonials, multimedia content)
- May be responsible for managing/supervising the work of one (1) or more employees
- Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned/requested
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree and/or its equivalent related experience required
- 3 years related experience
- A resume and cover letter must be submitted for consideration
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in an academic environment
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office/Google suite
- Competencies in multiple areas of higher education management, including admissions, marketing & recruitment, student affairs, and budget reconciliation. Part of previous innovative program expansion
- Proficient in qualitative and quantitative data analysis
- Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills required
- Slate (or related database application)
- Collaboration software (Zoom, Adobe Connect, Canvas)
- Experience in a supervisory role including the training and development of staff is strongly preferred
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.
See all 32+ Project Director at Columbia University jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Project Director at Columbia University roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Project Director Jobs at Columbia University Jobs
Frame your grant management credentials precisely
Columbia Project Directors typically oversee federally funded research or academic programs. Tailor your CV to highlight specific funding sources you've managed, compliance experience, and cross-departmental coordination, since these align directly with how Columbia scopes these roles.
Target department-specific openings over central postings
Project Director roles at Columbia often originate within specific schools or research centers like the Mailman School of Public Health or SIPA. Checking those departmental job pages directly surfaces openings faster than waiting for central HR listings to populate.
Clarify your visa category before the offer stage
Columbia sponsors H-1B, E-3, and TN visas for Project Directors, but the right pathway depends on your nationality and role structure. Confirm which classification your position qualifies under before negotiating your start date, since DOL Labor Condition Application timelines affect when you can begin.
Understand how OPT cap-gap affects your start date
If you're transitioning from F-1 OPT to H-1B sponsorship at Columbia, the cap-gap provision protects your status between OPT expiration and October 1. Confirm with Columbia's Office of International Faculty and Scholar Services whether your role qualifies before your OPT end date.
Request a PERM timeline discussion for long-term planning
Columbia sponsors EB-2 and EB-3 green cards for eligible staff. If permanent residency is your goal, ask the hiring team early whether the Project Director role qualifies for PERM sponsorship, since the USCIS and DOL process can take years and earlier initiation matters.
Use Migrate Mate to filter Project Director openings by visa type
Columbia posts Project Director roles across multiple portals and departments. Use Migrate Mate to filter Columbia's active openings specifically by the visa type you need, so you're applying to positions where sponsorship for your category is already confirmed.
Project Director at Columbia University jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Project Director at Columbia University JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does Columbia University sponsor H-1B visas for Project Directors?
Yes, Columbia University sponsors H-1B visas for Project Director roles where the position qualifies as a specialty occupation. Project Directors managing complex, grant-funded programs with a requirement for a relevant bachelor's degree or higher typically meet the specialty occupation standard. Columbia's Office of International Faculty and Scholar Services coordinates the petition process, and your employer files the H-1B on your behalf with USCIS.
How do I apply for Project Director jobs at Columbia University?
Applications go through Columbia's central careers portal at columbia.edu/careers, though individual schools and research centers sometimes post separately. Read each posting carefully to identify the sponsoring department and confirm whether the role involves federal grant management, which is common for Project Directors. Tailoring your application to the specific program area and funding structure described in the posting will strengthen your candidacy significantly.
Which visa types does Columbia University use for Project Director roles?
Columbia sponsors H-1B, E-3, TN, and F-1 OPT or CPT for Project Directors, depending on your nationality and employment situation. Australians are well-positioned for E-3 sponsorship, which has no lottery. Canadian and Mexican nationals may qualify under TN. For long-term candidates, Columbia also supports EB-2 and EB-3 immigrant visa pathways through the PERM labor certification process.
What qualifications does Columbia University expect for Project Director candidates?
Columbia's Project Director roles typically require a master's degree or higher in a relevant field, along with substantial experience managing federally funded or large-scale institutional programs. Familiarity with compliance frameworks like NIH or NSF grant requirements is often expected. Roles within research-intensive schools like Mailman or Arts and Sciences frequently require demonstrated experience leading interdisciplinary teams and managing multi-year project budgets.
How long does visa sponsorship processing take for Columbia University Project Directors?
For H-1B and E-3 sponsorships, Columbia's international services office typically needs several weeks to prepare filings after an offer is accepted. USCIS standard processing for an H-1B petition takes three to five months. E-3 consular processing in Australia is generally faster, often two to four weeks from application to visa issuance. Use Migrate Mate to identify roles at Columbia where sponsorship is already confirmed so you can plan your timeline accurately from the start.
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