Under the general direction of the Associate Director and Senior Associate Director, the candidate will be responsible for HR transactions for academic appointments, reappointments, visiting student interns, visa updates, payroll, work eligibility and general HR processing, as examples. This role also supports the programs and workshops supporting the international researchers within ZI.

The generalist will be responsible for staying current on university policies and procedures set forth by the Provost Office, ISSO, Central HR and other University central offices related to this role, while providing top notch service to stakeholders and colleagues throughout.
 

Responsibilities

• As an initiator and first level approver, organize and enter personnel transactions in PeopleSoft, ensuring accuracy and timeliness meeting deadlines; review and process a wide range of transactions in compliance with university policies. Maintain tracking systems as directed by the ZI HR Ops Director; serve as liaison with the Provost Office pertaining to questions and clarification of academic appointments, policies and procedures.

• Prepare academic new hire nominations, template-based hire appointment and reappointment letters and packets; maintain effective templates and tracking tools to improve organization and effectiveness of academic affairs new appointment and reappoint functions. Prepare monthly PeopleSoft (PAC) reports monitoring visa and appointment end dates. Manage visa check requests.

• Post academic positions in the University’s Academic Search and Recruiting module in the Interfolio system in compliance with EOAA practices and policies. Ensure accuracy and timeliness of selecting finalists and closing postings when recruitment has ended, providing administrative support as needed.  Post externally as needed.

• Under the direction of the Assoc/Sr Assoc Director, manage onboarding materials and scheduling meetings, interviews and new hire activities, supporting new hire postdoctoral researchers and newly hired academic researchers, VSIs and other visitors. Create UNIs, help new researchers obtain their ID, confirm building and lab access, medical surveillance, and any other support as needed to ensure the researcher is able to start work on day one.

• Support year end roster and eComp processing, running reports and preparing communications as directed. Connect with labs for disseminating information and providing transparent, clear communications.

• Manage Time and Labor Absence Management for postdocs and officers of research, ensuring training is provided before and after onboarding. Regularly check the TLAM system for entries and updates, communicate with postdocs/researchers several times a year to confirm they are using the system.

• Provide assistance as needed with HR Admin Talent Link transactions during exceptional busy recruitment and year end processing cycles; assist with onboarding for all types of hires as needed.

• Other duties and projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree, minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in Academic Affairs or Faculty Affairs is strongly preferred; some traditional HR experience helpful.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (word, power point, excel) is required. 

• This role requires a candidate who is a team player, with the seasoned ability to work on multiple changing priorities with demonstrated experience working with many levels of faculty, researchers, students and staff, exemplifying top notch customer service while remaining unflappable under pressure.  The ability to think ahead and anticipate needs, work independently to resolve problems, understand policies and synthesize complex information and create smooth working relationships is critical. One hundred percent attention to detail is expected, along with excellent communication skills.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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