Assistant Director, Communications Jobs

• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Bargaining Unit:
• Salary Range: $85,000 - $105,000
• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• End Date if Temporary:

Position Summary

Columbia Global is actively recruiting for an experienced and innovative Assistant Director of Communications (ADC) to help shape the strategic vision for this new initiative. Under the guidance of the Senior Director of Communications (SDC), the ADC will work on targeted global communications initiatives designed to promote the Columbia Global brand worldwide, execute organizational communication and marketing strategies, ensure CG remains cutting edge via market research, analyses, and reporting, implement special initiatives, projects, and multi-channel campaigns that amplify organizational objectives, and develop new as well as build on current strategic partnerships. The ADC will also have an active role in contributing to creative direction, editorial and storytelling. Finally, the ADC will provide key support to the SDC in the execution of the communications strategy, development and implementation of communications policies, guidelines, and procedures and providing operations and management support for a multi-million-dollar international communications budget.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a communications professional with demonstrated experience leading engaging and strategic initiatives, especially in a global setting, to take on a pivotal role in a newly-established and fast-paced organization with an international focus. The incumbent in this role will follow a hybrid schedule (three days onsite/two days remote) and will be based in the headquarters office in New York City.

Responsibilities

Strategic communications and marketing (70%)

• Engage and inform internal and external audiences and stakeholders around the world on key projects, initiatives, and research highlights and foci. Promote Columbia Global programs, events, and activities employing effective and on-trend channels and platforms.
• Set a focused direction for communications that aligns around a common vision and is reflective of Columbia Global’s strategic plan and values.
• Help develop, execute, and communicate a purposeful and clear communications plan reflecting Columbia Global’s key messages, themes, topics, audiences, and multi-communications channels.
• Increase awareness of the impact of projects, initiatives, and research through active, data-driven storytelling, championing targeted communities worldwide and elevating the diverse perspectives, voices, and experiences of those communities.
• Connect and collaborate with others across campus, in the communities Columbia Global serves internationally, and with partners (faculty, researchers, public and private stakeholders, and students) with the objective of promoting Columbia Global’s goals, vision and impact on world communities, faculty and students.
• Design and develop standards for communications success by identifying, collecting, analyzing, and reporting on data collected through ongoing evaluation and assessment.

Market Research, Analyses and Reporting (10%)

• Conduct thorough market research on the global communities CG targets and the potential impact of CG’s project interventions. This includes gathering and analyzing statistical data and information on gaps in services, the competing landscape, potential key partners, and barriers and opportunities to innovate.
• Develop reports for CG’s leadership highlighting key statistical data and information that informs the development of projects, initiatives, and research priorities as well as program development.

Communications Program Planning and Management (20%)

• Support communications staff within Columbia Global complete key communications initiatives.
• Actively support the development of communications protocols, standard operating procedures, and guidelines for optimizing and using communications resources and products.
• Orient and train staff throughout Columbia Global on the strategies, initiatives, and key objectives of the global communications team.
• Support the development of the communications budget, monitor and track expenses, and keep the SDC and CG leadership abreast of budget accruals and shortfalls.
• Work closely with the SDC to develop the CG Communications Strategic Plan and Priorities across geographies highlighting goals, objectives, key performance indicators, and metrics as well as a time frame for completion.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, or a related field, and 4-6 years of related professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Must be deadline- and detail-oriented, as well as a team player and a problem solver.
• 4+ years of communications leadership experience, including setting and executing communications strategy;
• International experience and languages a plus.
• Experience collaborating with multi-sector stakeholders such as university leadership and faculty, government, foundation, and nonprofits;
• Experience working internationally or for a globally-facing organization
• Master’s degree in journalism or related field, with an established ability to influence and counsel internal and external stakeholders while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced global work environment;
• Experience in social impact work, international development and/or higher education;
• Outstanding writer and verbal communicator with the ability to distill complex issues into clear, impactful messaging, as well as finding and telling complex stories to a general audience and donors in a way that blends emotion (heart) and impact (head);
• Leadership experience at a media outlet, public relations agency and/or corporate or nonprofit communications team;
• Experience with range of operating systems and communications applications used for digital and print products
• Familiarity and comfort understanding and monitoring budgets and expenses for multiple projects.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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