Columbia University???s Office of Communications and Public Affairs seeks a Director of Communications to manage the office???s media relations and crisis communications. Reporting to the Vice President for Communications, the Director will serve as the deputy spokesperson for the University responding to a wide range of media inquiries including national, international, and student press. The Director will be responsible for crafting communications plans to proactively help protect the institution as it faces a variety of complex issues, while also seizing opportunities to tell the University???s story.
Responsibilities
Work with the VP for Communications to develop the University???s response to a wide range of complex issues and to develop proactive strategic long-term media relations plans, including building relationships and educating media outside the framework of a specific inquiry.
Develop and manage media relations strategy and implementation and coordinate the response to crisis and issues-driven media inquiries across the University.
Serve as deputy spokesperson for the University on all critical and sensitive communications matters including crises and emergency communications.
Serve as the VP???s deputy in working directly with the office of the general counsel, senior leaders, Deans and other principals who are managing sensitive and high-stakes matters.
Draft statements, talking points and Q&As and manage all University-level press relationships and inquiries.
Work with the Director of Social Media to ensure ongoing follow-up and follow-through on potential crisis communication issues.
Participate in relevant social media conversations when appropriate, and as guided by the Director of Social Media.
Supervise the creation and management of systems and strategies to effectively respond to media requests, prepare spokespeople, develop media relationships, coordinate media interactions, track and summarize media hits, and develop and maintain media lists.
Work closely with the Columbia News editorial team to ensure message consistency and clarity, and when needed post statements and other related content to University websites.
Provide counsel to communications staff in our office and across the University on potential and existing reputational matters.
Minimum Qualifications
BA/BS degree required.
A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in public relations, preferably leading strategic communications in higher education or other complex public institution or similar environment.
Superior writing, verbal and digital communications skills.
Strong track record drafting statements, talking points & Q&As.
Strong working knowledge of media relations and issues management.
Strong judgment in media relations matters.
Demonstrated ability to effectively engage with reporters, editors.
Solid understanding of how to use social media in a crisis.
Comfortable working in a digital environment using digital tools, including website content management systems.
Comfortable providing counsel to senior executives.
Self-starter and strategic thinker with the ability to prioritize and synthesize.
Strong collaborator with solid negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, results-oriented, collaborative environment
Able to work under pressure quickly, effectively, and efficiently
Experience using media tracking tools and databases such as MuckRack, Cision, Critical Mention, TV Eyes, and/or Meltwater.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.
Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions. It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.
