Project Officer
Position Summary
Columbia World Projects (CWP), an international program within Columbia Global (CG), is a university-wide initiative that aims to forge closer and more useful connections between Columbia University's vast research capabilities and the needs of the world. CWP works with faculty and colleagues to develop projects that it staffs and operates with partners, including governments, organizations, businesses, and communities in New York City, across the United States, and around the world. CWP is committed to attracting and retaining highly qualified staff and fostering a professional environment that supports collaboration, strong performance, and excellence across its work
The Center for Political Economy works to identify and advance the most promising and innovative post-2008 developments within economics, and promotes a new political economy grounded in robust philosophical foundations. Its work is distinguished by an institutional, cross-disciplinary orientation that connects economics to fields including history, law, political science, sociology, public health, engineering, and data science. Central to its mission is the development of ?idea labs? that foster fresh thinking, shape research agendas, influence graduate training, and serve as intellectual and policy incubators across key themes in political economy.
The Center for Political Economy at CWP seeks a strategic, intellectually curious, and highly organized Project Officer (PO) to help drive a growing portfolio of research, programming, and cross-disciplinary initiatives. Reporting to the Project Director, the PO will play a central role in advancing the Center?s mission by supporting the planning, management, and execution of its core activities.
The PO will collaborate closely with the Project Director and faculty co-directors to move key workstreams forward, from shaping Idea Lab programming and supporting postdoctoral scholars, to coordinating annual student and faculty grants programs and producing high-impact events that bring together scholars, practitioners, and policymakers. The PO will staff meetings of the Center?s co-directors and faculty advisory board and help implement strategic discussions about the Center?s future direction. The PO also helps manage Idea Lab budgets and plays a key role in Center communications through event promotion, website management and outreach to Center affiliates.
This role offers significant exposure across Columbia Global. The PO will build relationships with partners, stakeholders, and supporters; work with units across CWP and Columbia Global; and contribute to project development and major events connected to the Center?s work. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated professional who thrives in a collaborative, intellectually vibrant environment and is eager to help shape a rapidly evolving Center at the intersection of research, policy, and global impact.
Responsibilities
- Support the advancement of new Center initiatives and projects (including developing process documents, work plans and timelines), with particular attention to the Center?s Idea Labs.
- Coordinate event-planning processes and procedures, working closely with CWP?s Administration, Research and Engagement, and Communications teams to organize lectures, workshops, and other convenings.
- Handle scheduling meetings, prepare agendas and materials, take meeting notes, and track follow up actions for internal and external stakeholders.
- Maintain regular communication with presenters, lecturers, and facilitators to ensure smooth planning and execution of Center events.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for Center participants (including faculty, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows) by responding to questions and helping resolve routine issues.
- Provide administrative and logistical support for the Center?s annual student and faculty grant competitions and for postdoctoral recruitment and onboarding processes.
- Maintain and update the Center?s mailing lists, website, and related communications channels, sharing information about events, opportunities, and announcements.
- Develop and maintain the Center?s calendar of engagement activities and coordinate the planning and execution of public events, workshops and other convenings.
- Assist with the preparation and tracking of the Center?s annual project plan, work plans, and budgets.
- Support the Project Director in preparing technical, progress, and stewardship reports for Center stakeholders, governance bodies, donors and supporters.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor?s degree and/or equivalent and 2-4 years of related experience required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Strong organizational, administrative, and time-management skills with the ability to track multiple tasks and deadlines.
- Proficiency with standard office software, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Google Workspace; familiarity with MailChimp and basic website content updates is a plus.
- Excellent interpersonal and written/oral communication skills, with the ability to build productive working relationships with faculty; staff; students, and external partners across a complex institution.
- Demonstrated ability to manage several projects simultaneously and adapt to shifting priorities.
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
- Initiative and confidence to contribute ideas, identify opportunities for improvement, and support evolving project needs.
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