Director, MA Programs, Department of Statistics

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary:
  Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $135,000 - $148,000

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.

The Department of Statistics at Columbia University is seeking an experienced, strategic professional to serve as the Director of MA Programs. Reporting to the Department Chair and Vice Chair for MA Programs, the Director of MA Programs will be expected to direct the operational and administrative aspects of the Statistics Master’s program, and to coordinate the statistics department involvement with their partner MA programs, including MAFN, MS-DS, MS-AI, Actuarial Science, QMSS, and subsequent programs the department may be involved in.

The Director serves as a visionary and effective leader for the MA in Statistics Program and oversees all aspects of its planning, operations, and evaluation.

In addition, the Director will be expected to respond to occasional requests from the department Chair regarding urgent needs that may or may not be related to the master’s programs.

The Department of Statistics at Columbia University is an intellectually vibrant and interdisciplinary hub, committed to pioneering research, rigorous training, and broad impact across theory, methodology, and application. The department hosts world‑class faculty and students working in probability, statistical theory, computational methods, data science, and interdisciplinary domains, supported by a range of centers, including the Applied Statistics Center and the Center for Applied Probability.

The programs, spanning undergraduate, master’s, and PhD levels, are designed for flexibility, rigor, and real‑world relevance, equipping graduates to pursue careers in academia, industry, and beyond.

This position follows a hybrid weekly schedule, with an expectation of at least three days a week on‑site. During periods of peak activity or operational need, additional on‑site presence may be required.

• Direct the operational and administrative aspects of the Department's MA in Statistics program, including leading a team of around seven administrative staff and interns.
• Lead all career development and professional growth initiatives within the MA in Statistics program.
• Provide leadership and strategic direction for all academic affairs, admissions, and student engagement functions for the MA in Statistics Program, ensuring alignment with departmental priorities and the mission of the University.
• Oversee and integrate the full lifecycle of the MA in Statistics Program student experience, from recruitment and admissions through academic progress, engagement, and graduation, driving operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Directly manage and mentor staff responsible for academic administration, student services, and admissions, establishing clear goals, accountability structures, and professional development pathways.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators for the MA in Statistics Program, leveraging and maintaining program data and analytics to inform strategic decision‑making related to enrollment management, retention, program outcomes and the overall health of the MA in Statistics Program.
• Lead strategic planning and execution for the MA in Statistics Program, including growth initiatives, resource allocation, and the development of scalable infrastructure to support an expanding student population.
• Represent the MA in Statistics Program in internal and external forums, strengthening partnerships, enhancing program visibility, and supporting recruitment and industry engagement efforts.
• Maintain policies and protocols for the MA in Statistics program in alignment with the University, GSAS, and departmental policies, calculate the annual operation budget of the MA in Statistics program, and plan…