Who we are:
Columbia Global Centers | Athens is part of a network of 11 global centers of Columbia University in the City of New York, one of the world's leading academic institutions. The centers were created to drive transformative connections between the university and the world, fostering innovation, understanding, and engagement. Columbia University launched the Athens Center in November 2022 to in-country partners on issues related to Climate Change; Migration and International affairs; Business and Innovation; Classics & Ancient Studies; Arts & Culture; Global Health & Preparedness; and Medicine, among others. The Global Centers are part of the broader Columbia Global initiative, which leverages the remarkable scholarship, expertise, and resources of Columbia University to help address the world’s most complex challenges while fostering intellectual endeavors that inspire, surprise, and push the boundaries of our thinking.
 

Position Summary:
This is an exciting opportunity to join a new and growing team and shape the operations of one of Columbia University’s newest global centers. The Athens Global Center seeks an energetic and well-experienced Finance Manager (FM) who will work closely with the Director of the Center, to build and create bridges to the Hellenic Republic’s rich and vibrant academic, social, cultural and research resources. As this is a new Global Center, the incumbent will be a part of the small start-up team that will embrace the challenge of building the Center from the ground up and tap into their entrepreneurial spirit and professional experience to launch signature-defining events and programs. The Finance Manager will be expected to provide day-to-day management of the Center’s budget, human resources, space and technological functions.

Responsibilities:
 

Financial Management

• Develops and manages the Center’s operating budgets in collaboration with program teams.
• Manages all banking relationships of the Center.
• Performs monthly international bank reconciliation processes in accordance with the Columbia Global Centers   Standard Operating Procedures.
• Monitors and ensures accurate financial reporting, including monthly financial statements, budget vs. actual analysis, and forecasts.
• Ensures compliance with donor financial regulations and reporting requirements.
• Oversees financial transactions, including payments, reimbursements, and payroll.
• Maintains financial records and ensures they are organized and easily accessible for audits and reviews.
• Implements and enforces financial  policies, procedures, and controls.
• Identifies and mitigates financial, operational, and HR risks.
• Ensures compliance with local tax  laws, labor laws, and other regulatory requirements.
• Provides services in support of compliance with internal and external audits.
• Prepares and submits accurate and timely financial reports to donors and Columbia Global NY.
• Prepares regular reports for senior management on financial, operational, and HR matters.
• Assists in the development of proposals and budgets for new projects and grants.

Operations

• Manages all operating systems of the Center, including procurement, logistics, and contract negotiations.
• Coordinates with relevant government authorities to ensure compliance with local regulations.

Human Resources

• With support from the HR team in headquarters (New York, USA), manages HR functions, including recruitment,   on-boarding, performance management, and staff development.
• Assists the Center with payroll compliance in accordance with both local and international norms and   regulations.
• Supports the facilitation of HR   training and capacity building for staff.
• Manages and maintains personnel records and HR documentation.
• Supports timely and confidential resolution of HR-related inquiries and issues.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or Accounting with at least 5 to 8 years of related finance experience.

Additional Position-specific Qualifications

• Relevant experience in areas of financial management
• Relevant experience managing office operations
• Strong communications, interpersonal and organizational skills
• Strong initiative, a problem solver, and ability to establish priorities
• Ability to work under pressure, autonomously and possess good independent judgment
• Confidentiality and discretion are required
• Ability to work as a team player in a fast-paced and start-up environment
• Excellent computer skills including advanced knowledge of Excel are crucial.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced finance degree (i.e., MBA, Masters in Economics, Accounting, etc.)
• Professional qualification as a Certified Financial Accountant/Certified Public Accountant is a plus
• Fluent in Greek and English.
   

Background

Columbia Local is an emerging university-wide initiative designed to address New York City's most pressing challenges and opportunities through cross-sector collaboration, cutting-edge research, community engagement, and partnerships with key stakeholders across Columbia University. The initiative’s high-level goals are to:

1. Deepen the relationship between Columbia University and the institutions and communities of New York City.
2. Enhance and expand Columbia University’s New York City-based research and programs through partnerships with local leaders and organizations.
3. Contribute to a thriving and equitable ecosystem in New York City by deploying Columbia University resources to improve the lives of New Yorkers, with a particular focus on Harlem and Upper Manhattan.

Purpose

An experienced and dynamic consultant with deep experience and connections in New York City is sought to: 1) design and conduct a scoping exercise that will inform Columbia Local’s approach, activities, and partnership strategies; and 2) develop and refine a high-level blueprint that will guide Columbia Local’s launch and pilot phase. 

Scope of Work

In close collaboration with Columbia Global staff and various Columbia University stakeholders, the consultant will be responsible for:

• Developing a comprehensive workplan for the consultancy aligned with the period of performance 
• Conducting a comprehensive exercise to map Columbia University’s current programs and partnerships in New York City. This includes:

          - Comprehensively identifying the initiatives that centers, schools, and departments at Columbia University that involve local partnerships (local partners may be businesses, start-ups, NGO, religious, government or local and neighborhood organizations)

          -  Creating a typology of ‘local partners’ that include their sector, type of partnership, location (neighborhood/borough) 

           -  Documenting relevant research, programs and activities, including outputs, outcomes and expected impact

           -  Identifying key successes and challenges.

           -  Gathering lessons learned from existing initiatives.

• Conducting a Rapid Landscape Analysis to identify key opportunities within Columbia University and across New York City that Columbia Local should leverage. This analysis should include:

           -  Identifying relevant local organizations that do not currently work with Columbia University but show potential to be included in local initiatives

           -  Identifying emerging trends and areas of need within New York City.

           -  Identifying and assessing the strategies and initiatives of peer academic institutions engaging with local communities. 

           -  Highlighting potential partnerships and collaborations with local leaders, organizations, and institutions.

          -  Assessing policy and funding landscapes that could impact Columbia Local’s initiatives.

• Developing an actionable blueprint for Columbia Local based on the mapping and landscape analysis. This blueprint should include:

          -  Goals

          -  Objectives

          -  Key activities

          -  Governance and management structure

          -  Cost analysis and budget

• Integrating iterative feedback on all draft documents iteratively to ensure accuracy and relevance.
• Maintaining active and effective communication throughout the consultancy. This includes providing regular status updates and proactively addressing any issues or questions that arise.

Key Deliverables

• Regular progress reports
• Draft and final deliverables that include:

          -  A mapping of Columbia University’s current NYC-based programs and collaborations

         -  An overview of the landscape analysis process and findings

         -  A high-level blueprint for Columbia Local, including 

• Costed workplan: a high-level two-year workplan that identifies goals, objectives and activities for Columbia Local.
• Stakeholder Engagement Report: A report summarizing the engagement activities, key insights from stakeholder consultations, and recommendations based on stakeholder feedback.
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation Plan: A document outlining potential risks to the initiative and proposed mitigation strategies.
• Sustainability and Scalability Report: A detailed plan addressing how Columbia Local will ensure sustainability and scalability of its initiatives beyond the pilot phase.
• Performance Metrics and Monitoring Framework: A framework detailing the monitoring, evaluation and leaning plan for the initiatives including proposed impact, outcomes, outputs, indicators and measurement metrics.
• Implementation Roadmap: A phased roadmap for implementing the key activities identified in the blueprint, with timelines and responsibilities.
• Policy and Funding Landscape Report: An analysis of the policy and funding environment that could impact Columbia Local’s initiatives, including recommendations for navigating these landscapes.

Period of Performance: August 2024 - December 2024

Level of Effort: It is anticipated that the consultant will spend 20 hours/week during the performance period indicated above (with some expected fluctuations).

Columbia Global Point of Contact: Cristiane Costa, Columbia Global Chief Operating Officer

Educational Background: Advanced degree in Public Policy, Urban Planning, Social Sciences, Business Administration, or a related field.

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 10-20 years of experience in NYC focused consultancy or project management, preferably within the higher education sector or with governmental and/or community-based organizations.
• Proven track record in conducting landscape analyses, strategic planning, and program evaluation.
• Experience in working with diverse stakeholders, including academic institutions, local communities, and government agencies.
   

Skills and Competencies

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex information and present actionable insights.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in project management and ability to develop detailed work plans and deliverables within specified timelines.
• Ability to work collaboratively with various teams and stakeholders.
• Familiarity with New York City’s social, economic, and policy landscape is highly desirable.

Technical Proficiency

• Proficiency in data analysis tools and software.
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Personal Attributes

• Strong interpersonal skills and cultural competence.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic work environment.
• Strong commitment to social equity and community engagement.

To Apply:

Please submit the following documents:

• CV 
• Cover letter
• Expectations for compensation rate
• Examples of previous work relevant to this position
• A brief proposal that outlines how and on what timeline the consultant would achieve the identified scope of work including producing the required deliverables. This proposal should be no longer 3 pages including a timeline.

Please email Christine Hunt at ch3326@columbia.edu with any questions.