CAREER CENTER

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range:

Position Summary

Reporting to the Vice Dean of Columbia College, working closely with the Dean of Columbia College and serving on the Dean???s leadership team, the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer (???CCMO???) is the primary strategist who oversees the planning, development and execution of integrated communications and marketing plans across various channels to highlight and promote the distinct position and brand of Columbia College as a leading liberal arts institution. In this role, the CCMO leads the communications and marketing strategy to ensure brand consistency and alignment throughout the College???s units and sub-brands, which engage with a variety of audiences, including undergraduates, alumni, families and the general public.  This also includes undergraduate student communications for The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) in areas where there is a shared undergraduate experience. 

This innovative, creative and forward-thinking leader will manage a team that provides the full range of communications and marketing functions for a variety of internal and external audiences, including but not limited to: brand strategy and toolkit, marketing and editorial content, design services and support, digital strategy and, crises communications, public and media relations, social media guidelines and coordination, the publication of Columbia College Today magazine, and the development of an analytical strategy that uses metrics and assessments throughout the College to ensure continuous learning and enhancements of marketing and communications efforts going forward.

Responsibilities

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

• Serves as a member of the leadership team of Columbia College, responsible for the shared execution of the College???s mission, contributing to the strategic vision and implementation of shared College-wide goals and participating in advising the dean on various issues and concerns. Partners with the senior leaders within the College to provide best-in-class marketing and communications strategies to support the work of each unit, therefore contributing to the overarching success of the College.
• Leads the team that drives a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy to support the strategic goals and overall mission of Columbia College and its constituent units. Builds, manages and mentors a team to support individual development and an agile and learning-oriented culture as it moves to a newly centralized infrastructure. Develops goals and metrics for team and individual success and evaluates staff and department achievements against established metrics.
• Develops effective ways of partnering within team and with key partners in order to foster strong collaboration, shared goals and increased efficiency.

BRAND STEWARDSHIP AND EDITORIAL LEADERSHIP

• Leads development of a cohesive, engaging, and energetic brand for Columbia College, which--digitally, visually and editorially--conveys the strength and vitality of our institution and its faculty, students, alumni and staff.  Provides enhancements and ongoing development to the design and implementation of the College???s strategic communications plan, incorporating clearly defined goals, defining audience needs, and structuring effective metrics.
• Responsible for the quality and integrity of strategic communications, working with and engaging key Columbia College and University administrative units and stakeholders to promote consistency in the development of a wide range of materials and tools that support broad-based goals and unit-specific goals, all driving to a unified and coordinated messages that build awareness about the College???s brand, offerings, and impact. 
• Directs storytelling objectives centrally and throughout the College???s units, supporting unit objectives while aligning with the central narrative of Columbia College.
• Oversees Dean???s strategic communications in partnership with Vice Dean for internal and external audiences, including developing dean???s messages, remarks, talking points, presentations to key stakeholders (both internal and external), developing an annualized plan for the Dean???s communications with faculty, students, alumni, staff and other stakeholders.

DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS AND ONLINE COMMUNITY BUILDING

• Understanding the importance of new media, employs the latest digital communications tools, including an integrated social media and web strategy and the creation and distribution of rich digital content (video, podcasts, animation, interactive graphics, etc.) to enhance and increase outreach, brand recognition and reputation. 
• Oversees the design and rollout of an enhanced web strategy that includes a full redesign of College web assets, in partnership with constituents and IT partners.
• Supports the integration of Salesforce as a direct marketing tool, leveraging capabilities and insights to improve smarter marketing tactics and to build improved user journeys.

MEDIA/PUBLIC RELATIONS

• Oversees external public and media relations programs and works closely with Columbia University Public Affairs and other relevant University offices on all media requests representing Columbia College.  Work closely with the Columbia Spectator and other student media to generate accurate reporting and coverage of the College in news outlets.
• Directs the development of story pitches, press announcements and presentations (including speeches and briefings) that optimize the positioning of the College, Dean, faculty and senior staff as leaders in undergraduate education. Communicates media strategies and identifies individual media opportunities for the Dean, staff, alumni and current students.

CRISIS MANAGEMENT

• Serves as a member of the CC/SEAS On-Call Emergency Response team and provides leadership in the management of student, parent, alumni, and campus communications related to significant and/or disruptive events.  Work with the Dean and Vice Dean to manage crisis communications for all of the relevant constituencies.  Oversees the creation and distribution of talking points to assist with crisis mitigation. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor???s degree or equivalent required.
• 8 years of progressively related experience required.
• Prior experience in strategic communications, marketing and/or public relations required. 
• Expert knowledge and understanding of all aspects of communications and marketing, including skill to create, develop and implement effective long- and short-term strategic communications and marketing plans.
• Website experience for marketing communication purposes and familiarity with web content management systems and social media outlets is essential.
• Proven ability to think strategically and rapidly analyze diverse information from varied sources and the ability to learn, adapt and be innovative as new communications challenges arise, including taking the lead on highly visible and sensitive assignments with good judgment. 
• Demonstrated ability with big picture goals and objectives in strategic management and collaborative approach in working with people at all levels.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects effectively, including developing timelines, setting priorities and coordinating multiple tasks. 
• Attention to detail, ability to work successfully under time pressure and comply with policies and procedures must be demonstrated.
• Excellent communication skills including oral and written presentation skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal communication style with excellent listening skills essential. 
• Ability to work in a diverse, fast-paced environment and navigate a complex organization to meet objectives.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including superior ability to select, train, manage, guide and motivate professional staff to produce high quality work; skill to take corrective action as required. 
• Must be available for evening and weekend crisis response leadership and related activities.

**Applications submitted without a resume and cover letter will not be reviewed

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of related experience preferred.

• Advanced degree in related field strongly preferred.

• Prior experience leading a dynamic communications and marketing organization in a higher education environment highly preferred.

• Experience in contract negotiation with vendors.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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