• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $85,000 - $105,000

Position Summary

Established in July 2022, Columbia Global (CG) brings together major initiatives from across the university to advance knowledge and foster global engagement to address complex global challenges. Through interdisciplinary research, education, collaboration, and directed action, Columbia Global fosters groundbreaking scholarship, facilitates leadership development, advances cutting-edge thinking, and implements projects designed for social impact.

Columbia Global is actively recruiting for a dynamic and experienced Assistant Director to join its communications team and effectively plan, manage, and deliver impactful integrated communication solutions and build strong partnerships.

Under the guidance of the Senior Director of Communications (SDC), the AD 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. 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 an agency 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 as determined by the department.

Responsibilities

Strategic communications and partnerships (70%)

• Develop and implement comprehensive communication strategies that align with organizational objectives and deliver positive outcomes.
• Day-to-day, provide strategic support, and oversee the execution of a portfolio of integrated communication strategies, plans, and deliverables.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the SDC and Columbia Global project teams, offering expert guidance on communication best practices, trends, and opportunities.
• Manage communications project workstreams, ensuring high-quality deliverables, on-time project delivery, and adherence to budget constraints.
• Design and develop standards for communications success by identifying, collecting, analyzing, and reporting on data collected through ongoing evaluation and assessment.
• Stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in integrated communications, and share knowledge with the team.
• 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.

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%)

• 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.
• Support communications staff within Columbia Global to complete key communications initiatives.
• Support the development of the communications budget, monitor and track expenses, and keep the SDC and CG leadership abreast of budget accruals and shortfalls.
• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.
• 4+ years of communications leadership experience, including setting and executing integrated communications strategies.
• Strong communications project management skills, including budgeting, ideally gained in an agency setting.
• Strong strategic thinking skills and the ability to develop and execute effective communication plans and strategies.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize projects, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Creative thinker.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with internal and external partners.
• Experience working internationally or for a globally-facing organization.
• Familiarity and comfort with understanding and monitoring budgets and expenses for multiple projects.
• Experience collaborating with multi-sector stakeholders such as university leadership and faculty, government, foundations, and nonprofits.
• Experience with project management systems and the latest communications applications.
• Must be deadline- and detail-oriented, as well as a team player and a problem solver.
• Proven track record of successful account management and client servicing as a bonus.
• International experience and languages are a plus.
• Experience in social impact work, international development and/or higher education a plus.