Director, Leasing Administration

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $155,000 - $165,000

Position Summary

Columbia Residential manages a portfolio of approximately 150 residential buildings located in Morningside Heights and serves a University community of more than 8,000 faculty, staff, postdoctoral appointees, graduate students, and select undergraduate student residents. The department is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and administration of more than 5,700 University-owned or managed residential units.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Leasing, the Director serves as the principal and senior administrator responsible for the strategic direction, performance management, and operational execution of all leasing functions. The Director of Leasing Administration provides strategic, managerial, and operational leadership across all leasing portfolios within Columbia Residential, encompassing both student and faculty housing. This position ensures the development, integration, and continuous improvement of policies, systems, and procedures that uphold the University's commitment to service excellence and operational efficiency.

Responsibilities

The Director, Leasing Administration provides strategic direction, performance oversight, and operational leadership for all leasing functions across Columbia Residential, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and service excellence.

Additionally, the Director, Leasing Administration is responsible for the following key functions:

• Leads a broad portfolio of strategic and managerial initiatives designed to strengthen the department's operational infrastructure and optimize its performance outcomes. This includes establishing key performance indicators, defining operational standards, and implementing best practices that enhance efficiency, transparency, and consistency across all leasing and customer service activities.
• Provides direct guidance and supervision to the Assistant Director of Student Leasing and the Assistant Director of Faculty and Staff Leasing, ensuring that both divisions operate in alignment with institutional objectives, fiscal priorities, and compliance requirements.
• In partnership with the Executive Director of Leasing, develops and executes long-range strategic plans, technology initiatives, and data governance frameworks to advance departmental goals. This includes oversight of data analytics, reporting, forecasting, and technology integration designed to support informed decision-making, continuous process improvement, and superior resident outcomes.
• Ensures that all leasing operations are data informed, metrics driven, and fully aligned with the University's broader administrative and academic priorities.
• Serves as a key strategic liaison with University partners-including Deans, Department Heads, Student Affairs, Human Resources, and CUFO IT and Finance-to anticipate housing needs, coordinate planning efforts, and maintain effective communication across stakeholder groups. In collaboration with the Residential Operations Asset Directors, provides executive oversight for turn-season readiness, coordinating operational planning, resource deployment, and performance accountability to ensure seamless transitions and optimal housing availability.
• Collaborates closely with CUFO Finance to establish and maintain effective financial processing workflows and to ensure alignment on all financial services and billing matters impacting leasing operations. Provides oversight of all fiscal aspects of leasing, including billing controls, revenue tracking, reconciliations, and related compliance practices, ensuring accuracy, accountability, and adherence to University policies.
• Partner with key internal and external stakeholders to develop and refine leasing policies, align cross-functional processes, and standardize procedures that support consistent service delivery, operational efficiency, and strong financial stewardship across all leasing portfolios.
• Works in close partnership with the Associate Director of Resident Support to review, evaluate, and enhance departmental policies and procedures, ensuring consistency and compliance in the delivery of housing services. Through this collaboration, the Director provides managerial oversight of service performance, identifies organizational gaps, and implements staff development and corrective strategies to maintain excellence in customer experience.
• Liaises with the Associate Director of Tenured Faculty on all operational and leasing matters pertaining to faculty housing. This includes strategic coordination on policy implementation, space allocation, and service delivery to ensure that faculty housing operations reflect institutional standards and strategic priorities.
• Accountable for cultivating a high-performance culture across all leasing teams-driving collaboration, innovation, and accountability at every level of the organization.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required
• Minimum of 7 years of related experience required; specific experience with Housing operations, Residence Life, or Customer Service preferred
• The incumbent must demonstrate executive presence, sound judgment, and the ability to lead through complexity in a dynamic, multi-stakeholder environment. This leadership role requires a proven record of operational management, strategic planning, and organizational effectiveness, ensuring that Columbia Residential remains an exemplar of service excellence and operational stewardship within the University community.
• Experience with data processing and computer-based systems including Microsoft Suite
• Knowledge of data analysis tools and industry-specific software
• Ability to direct data processing and analysis efforts efficiently with keen attention to detail
• Demonstrated patience, tact, and the ability to work well under pressure in a busy office
• Experience conducting and evaluating performance assessments
• Excellent customer service and communication skills, both written and verbal

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree desirable

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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