Associate Director, Food Pantry Operations and Partnerships

Job Type: Officer of Administration

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Salary Range: $75,000–$85,000

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.

University Life is a central division that supports all Columbia students by fostering a connected University community across Columbia’s 17 schools and campuses. We serve as a hub for student engagement, cross-school collaboration, and coordinated University-wide initiatives that strengthen the student experience. Our work is grounded in building trusted relationships across the institution so that students can access the resources, opportunities, and support systems they need to succeed.

We advance student well-being, belonging, and personal development through programs, policies, and partnerships that encourage connection, leadership, and dialogue across diverse experiences and perspectives. Guided by our core values of connection, integrity, respect, service, and continuous learning, we are committed to creating environments where students feel welcomed, supported, and empowered throughout their academic journey.

Through close collaboration with students, faculty, and staff, University Life champions a Columbia defined by community, citizenship, and holistic support—one where every student can participate fully in campus life and contribute meaningfully to our shared University community.

The Center for Student Success & Intervention (CSSI) delivers a comprehensive, 360° model integrating Student Conduct, Case Management & Student Support, and Operations/Training. CSSI partners with all Columbia schools to triage referrals, provide clear process guidance, and remove barriers to student persistence through basic-needs support and developmentally focused interventions. Grounded in evidence-based practice and its core values of student success, integrity, accountability, and community engagement, CSSI upholds community standards while advancing equitable student outcomes.

Reporting to the Director, Strategic Operations & Engagement, the incumbent partners closely with the Center’s team, schools, and campus partners to support a 360 review of student behavior to best support students managing complex situations, particularly students needing additional support. In partnership with Columbia’s 18 schools, this provides strategic leadership of multi-site Food Pantry services, including fresh food distribution, data management, and technology systems administration.

will serve as a point of contact for members of the University community to support students' food insecurity initiatives.

• Manage multi-site pantry operations, including daily functions, inventory control, seasonal planning, and academic calendar-aligned distribution adjustments.
• Lead the fresh food program, including vendor coordination, MOU oversight, delivery logistics, and high-volume distribution scheduling.
• Develop and maintain relationships with food partners and community organizations, and represent CSSI with colleagues, community partners, and stakeholders.
• Oversee the daily operations of the food pantries and serve as the point of contact for the student board and community resource partnerships.
• Develop, maintain, and evaluate food pantry services at the University’s locations across Columbia’s campuses.
• Provide direct oversight and fiscal management of the program budget, in collaboration with the University Life Finance Team, related grants and/or foundation sponsor ships, and make recommendations regarding allocation of resources and expenditure of funds.
• Oversee the full deployment, documentation, and training of the volunteer program. Recruit, interview, hire, and train part-time student staff, federal work-study students, and volunteers to work in the college food pantries and/or assist with additional administrative tasks…