Accounts Payable, Best Practices, Campaigns, Channel Strategies, Cloud Computing, Communication Skills, Content Management Systems (CMS), Copy Editing, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Detail Oriented, Editing, Editorials, Email Campaign, Higher Education, Journalism, Marketing, Marketing Campaign, Microsoft Office, Multiplatform/Cross-Platform, Multitasking, Newsletter, Operational Support, Performance Analysis, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Project/Program Management, Salesforce.com, Social Media, Strategic Planning, Student Housing, Website Management, Writing Skills
Associate Director, Communications
- 558176
- New York
- Columbia College
- Full Time
- Opening on: Jun 30 2026
- Grade 12
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- Job Type: Officer of Administration
- Bargaining Unit:
- Regular/Temporary: Regular
- End Date if Temporary:
- Hours Per Week: 35
- Standard Work Schedule:
- Building:
- Salary Range: $80,000 - $85,000
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University''s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Director of Strategic Communications, the Associate Director, Communications advances the College''s strategic priorities of academic excellence, culture, community and well-being for Columbia College students, staff and broader community.
The Associate Director, Communications (AD) serves as the principal deputy to the Director of Strategic Communications. The AD will be a lead partner with several offices across Columbia College developing communication plans to bring the College''s stories to life and increase awareness of programs, services and events. Additionally, the AD will manage the Assistant Director of Digital Communications, providing support and guidance for all newsletter communications.
Responsibilities
Campus Partner Communications Strategy
- Maintain regular and proactive contact with a portfolio of campus partners (e.g., Undergraduate Student Life, Center for Student Advising and Housing/Dining) to develop communication plans that elevate their work within Columbia College and outside the College to the wider University community.
- Serve as a communications resource and adviser to partner offices across the College.
- In partnership with the editorial, comms and events teams and campus partners, lead the development and execution of major student and family-facing communications campaigns, including Countdown to Class Day and Countdown to Columbia, among others.
- Write articles on Columbia College news, such as announcements for students who receive top awards, including Rhodes Scholars, Marshall Scholars and Gates Scholars, among others.
Email and Social Media Communications
- Develop and help implement the communications strategy for all Columbia College newsletters.
- Oversee the execution of email campaigns and message through Salesforce CRM & Marketing Cloud platforms and develop effective messages, CTAs, and copy for email for optimal performance.
- Monitor the effectiveness of student and family-facing email campaigns and provide recommendations for improvement.
- In partnership with the Director of Editorial Strategy and Content, develop, launch and manage a new monthly editorial newsletter.
- Review and edit weekly student and family-facing newsletters to ensure that the content is appropriate and accurate for the audience.
- In partnership with the Director of Strategic Communications, manage the Columbia College social media calendar, ensuring 4-6 diverse and optimized posts are published each week across platforms.
- Monitor social media performance and adjust strategy accordingly.
Crisis Communications Support
- Provide occasional operational support to the Director of Strategic Communications for urgent or after-hours communications to the Columbia College community, including evenings and weekends as needed.
Other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
- 3-5 years of experience managing and executing communications and marketing campaigns, preferably in higher education or complex organizations
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills with strong attention to detail
- Proficiency in copy editing in AP, Chicago and other styles
- Experience developing communications strategies and coordinating with diverse stakeholders
- Strong understanding of email campaign platforms and tools and proven track record for optimizing email campaigns
- Proficiency with social media platforms and best practices
- Ability to work independently, take initiative and problem-solve effectively
- Strong relationship-building skills with internal and external partners
- Comfortable learning new technologies and seeking resources to achieve results
Preferred Qualifications
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite and Sprout
- Bachelor's Degree in writing, journalism or other humanities-based field
- Experience with Salesforce CRM and Marketing Cloud, or similar system
- Experience with website content management systems
- Familiarity with higher education communications and constituencies
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.