Vice President, Communications

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $275,000-$315,000

Position Summary

A leader in higher education in the nation and around the world for more than 250 years, Columbia University in the City of New York seeks to attract and engage the best minds in pursuit of greater human understanding, pioneering new discoveries, and service to society. Its distinguished faculty, alumni, and student body are expanding the boundaries of knowledge in medicine, science, the arts, the humanities, and the professions.

The University comprises 17 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools, four affiliated colleges and seminaries, and a wide array of research institutes and global centers around the world. As a vital part of New York, the University's research and teaching are enhanced by the vast resources of one of the world's greatest cities. An intellectual community of over 50,000 students, faculty, and staff, Columbia is working continually to expand its mission of teaching, research, patient care, and public service.

The Vice President for Communications reports directly to the Executive Vice President for Public Affairs and Communications, with responsibility for strategic communications planning; executive communications; media relations; internal communications; and crisis and reputation risk management. The Vice President for Communications serves as a spokesperson for the University and also is a member of the editorial leadership team that oversees the Columbia News portfolio of communications platforms. This individual will have direct responsibility for the following portfolio:

Portfolio Description

• Strategic Communications Planning: Manages an ongoing planning process that maps the University's communications priorities and informs Columbia News content development, including for the University's websites and social media accounts.
• Executive Communications: Oversees the research, writing, and editing of external communications from the President of the University, including speeches, op-eds, and statements. The Vice President for Communications may provide additional support to other deans and administrative offices on an as-needed basis, especially in the management of high-profile, campus-wide issues.
• Media Relations: Serves as chief spokesperson for the University and is responsible for the management of all University-level press relationships and inquiries, reviewing and approving all press interactions, including national, trade, and local outlets.
• Internal Communications: Manages team dedicated to keeping the campus community informed and engaged in University life.
• Crisis and Reputation Risk Management: The University faces many difficult, high-profile issues, and the Vice President for Communications plays a crucial role in navigating these challenging situations, by representing the University externally with the media and working behind the scenes with administrators and academics from across the University.

Responsibilities

• Lead a strategic communications process in coordination with communicators from around the University to identify and support institutional priorities and opportunities. Organize University-wide planning meetings and develop relevant documents, including a long-term strategic plan that is updated every semester.
• Shape and develop public messages, correspondence, speeches, and talking points for the President of the University and, as needed, senior administrators when they are communicating University-wide. Work closely with the Office of the President to ensure alignment with the University's overall communications strategy and work with the Columbia News editorial team to ensure message consistency and clarity.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with reporters and editors and coordinate University responses to media inquiries.
• Manage a team of 4-8 people, including a 2-person internal communications team, with potential to grow scope of responsibility and team.
• Provide guidance and expertise in crisis situations and oversee the development and execution of the University's response.
• Work directly with the President, Provost, General Counsel, leaders at the Medical Center, deans, and other principals whether they are advancing proactive content or managing difficult situations.
• Perform other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 15+ years relevant, related experience required. Advanced degree preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership and skill in composing, shaping, and executing communications for high-level senior executive(s).
• Must be a strong team player and thoughtful manager, skilled at building effective teams and a culture of high performance.
• Must have strong collaboration skills, and ability to build strong relationships across functions and disciplines to serve the University's mission, provide expert communications counsel, and partner effectively in the interests of the University.
• Exceptional writing skills and interpersonal skills appropriate to interactions with deans, trustees, and other senior leaders both internally and externally.
• Extensive experience working directly with reporters and editors on proactive narratives and on rapid response on reputation risk matters when needed.
• Experience managing multiple stakeholders within complex organizations, as well as external stakeholders relevant to the University.
• Experience with crisis and reputation risk management for complex organizations.
• Organized, calm under pressure, with the ability and experience to give clear direction and sound counsel during fast-moving situations.
• Positive approach to perpetual learning and professional development, and openness to new and innovative strategies and tactics.
• Ability to work periodically in the evenings and on weekends, if necessary, to address urgent matters.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Experience working at or with higher education institutions or similarly complex, multi-stakeholder organizations.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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