Executive Director, Residential Operations

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $200,000 - $225,000
  
  

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 Deputy Vice President of Columbia Residential, the Executive Director of Residential Operations leads strategies to ensure all residents live in safe, clean, and well‑managed housing while maximizing operational efficiency across more than 150 assets and a staff of 300, including 32BJ Union personnel.

The Executive Director oversees the Directors and Assistant Directors of Operations, meeting regularly to review ongoing issues, address immediate needs, plan upcoming projects, identify training activities, and promote continuous team development to uphold the highest standards of building conditions and facilities management.

The Executive Director partners closely with the AVP of Columbia Residential, the Directors of Leasing Services and Operations, and the Director of Residential Construction to plan future initiatives and budget forward‑looking strategies that keep the portfolio competitive. The role also maintains a collaborative relationship with Leasing leadership to maximize portfolio value and support both ongoing and upcoming turn seasons.

In addition to daily operational oversight, the Executive Director manages the financial performance of multiple sub‑portfolios and ensures adherence to the overall budget, financial benchmarks, and key performance metrics.

Working with Leasing leadership, the Executive Director provides strategic vision to the AVP on system enhancements that improve operational efficiency, elevate the resident experience, strengthen University partnerships, and equip staff with effective tools.

The Executive Director is responsible for implementing, training on, and enforcing departmental policies and procedures, and collaborates with the Directors of Operations to ensure all staff have the knowledge and resources required to meet Columbia Residential standards. The role provides leadership to ensure adherence to effective and best‑practice operational methods.

The Executive Director also oversees change management initiatives that affect all Residential Operations employees, including the development and implementation of departmental change processes.

This position is designated as an Essential Personnel and must report to campus—or an alternate work site as needed—during emergency closures, regardless of regular work schedule.

Responsibilities

The Executive Director will lead and work with the Directors of Operations and Assistant Directors, meeting regularly to communicate ongoing matters, address immediate needs and issues, strategize for upcoming projects, identify training activities, and promote continuous team building to ensure that Columbia Residential can maintain the highest possible standard of building conditions and facilities management. Characteristic duties and responsibilities also include:

• Establishing and leading Columbia Residential operation’s program to produce a predictable fiscal outcome. This will be accomplished by employing fundamental budgeting, planning, benchmarking, monitoring, and forecasting processes that ensure tight financial management of budgets at portfolio levels. The Executive Director will be also responsible for the development of capital planning strategies that best utilize the available space and deliver competitive and desirable products to its residents.
• Executing a business strategy in a consistent manner; meeting or exceeding internal goals and benchmarks, and industry standards.
• Creating programs that will produce lower operational risk and costs, thus creating value for our residents. Focuses on process optimization through training, team building, and culture change to sustain measurable improvements; develops systems to measure and monitor residents’ satisfaction.
• Responsible for the creation of policies and procedures for short- and long-term planning; manages designated programs, services, and activities; analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of property operations; works to ensure areas of responsibility meet or exceed established goals and objectives. Management of the operations, maintenance, and preventive maintenance efforts; creation and measuring of compliance with company policies and procedures; ensure compliance with any and all local, state, and or national codes and regulations; ensure that the physical aspects of the building(s), HVAC, electrical, plumbing and amenities are maintained in a Neat, Clean and Working order at all times; conducts scheduled property visits, works with the Directors of Operations to increase proficiency/performance of the community and maintains oversight of all operations
• Managing and supervising the Directors of Operations for Columbia Residential, working with the team to ensure the highest possible standard of building conditions, customer service, and facilities management are accomplished. Meet and direct regularly with the Directors to communicate ongoing matters, address immediate needs and issues, strategize for upcoming projects, identify training opportunities, and promote continuous team building.
• Developing and facilitating the execution of the strategic vision for the operations; drives the profitability and operational excellence of Columbia Residential by using leadership skills, market knowledge, and analysis to coach, mentor, and develop the operations team for their individual and portfolio performance. Provide field leadership insight into the functional area performance of their portfolio and personnel.
• Implementing and delivering training programs to the Residential Operations employees to ensure all staff members are capable of the duties in their assigned role. Developing training programs that provide opportunities for growth in such areas as job skills and leadership.
• Leading regular meetings with the Residential Operations staff to celebrate achievements. Ensure that all staff maintains the highest quality of workmanship and professionalism; take prompt action to correct any deficiencies.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum 8-10 years of Multifamily Property Management or related experience required.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• An advanced degree;
• Experience in managing high-end real estate portfolios in an urban environment;
• Extensive knowledge of regulations and laws related to the operation of buildings in News York City and State;
• Demonstrated organization, facilitation, verbal and written communications, and presentation skills;
• Knowledge of current applications and technology related to asset management and real estate operations; knowledge on technology trends in areas of responsibility;
• Experience in a fast-paced environment that requires rapid decision-making and flexibility;
• Experience in negotiating and overseeing large complex contracts, RFPs and ensuring compliance with vendors and budgets. Must be a self-starter with demonstrated ability to meet or exceed productivity norms;
• Ability to grasp concepts;
• High level of attention to detail;
• Ability to address and resolve problems proactively;
• Use of good judgement and knows when to involve others;
• High degree of personal and professional integrity; custom focused (internal and external)
  
  

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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