• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $70,700 - $87,564

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director and Chief Curator of the Wallach Art Gallery, the Associate Director of External Affairs plays a vital role on the Wallach’s leadership team working with Associate Director of Finance and Program Administration, and an Associate Director of Education and Public Programming. This position oversees marketing and communications for the gallery, fosters engagement with audiences on and off campus, and makes a critical contribution to the gallery’s development goals.

Responsibilities

The incumbent will develop and implement the Wallach Art Gallery’s communications and marketing strategy with integrated campaigns, including organizing and distributing regular and timely press materials, traditional and digital advertising, the website, and social media channels. They will oversee the implementation of exhibition branding across communications collateral including title wall, logos, and related printed and digital materials. Soliciting global, national, and local media coverage for the gallery, collaborating with University Communications and Public Affairs, Lenfest Center staff, consultants, and others as appropriate.

The incumbent will support the Wallach Art Gallery’s engagement efforts across and off campus, working strategically to particularly build sustained engagement among key audiences: targeted students, professors, staff, and alumni as well as various community constituencies particularly artists, arts colleagues, and the media. The incumbent will frequently serve as a host, spokesperson, and advocate for the Wallach Art Gallery and will attend meetings and social events, give interviews, and engage in dialogue to build relationships with appropriate campus and community partners (estimated at 3 to 5 engagements per month). The incumbent will also participate in internal planning meetings for programming, advising on possible connections, collaborative possibilities, and campus and community interest. Maintaining records of gallery activity and engagement, related statistical data, and media coverage.

Supporting and advancing development priorities set by the Director and Chief Curator. Identifying prospects in consultation with University Development and Alumni Relations, as well as other Departments as appropriate. Preparing foundation and government grant applications and funding solicitations: identifying application requirements, drafting necessary narrative content, coordinating and collating contributions from professional staff and guest curators, liaising with the Office of Sponsored Projects, and overseeing the grant submission and funding requests. Establishing and nurturing relationships supportive of the gallery’s vision including with members of the newly-formed Wallach advisory council, other individuals, corporations and foundations through coordinating and implementing events for these constituencies.

Other projects as assigned.

The successful candidate will be an excellent writer, and a meticulous editor, extremely organized, diligent and detail-oriented, and experienced with leading integrated communications and media campaigns. They will be collaborative, social, and a good listener. While they excel at working independently, they will have an appetite for social engagement. They will have the ability to multitask, collaborate with multiple colleagues, and oversee various types of workers, including students, and can work flexible hours as required by meetings and events. They will enjoy effectively partnering with diverse groups, both internally and externally. They will take pride in strategizing, designing, implementing, launching, “owning”, and assessing myriad projects.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Must possess a minimum of 6 years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

MA preferred with at least 6 years of progressive experience with proven leadership capability, preferably in a museum, gallery or related non-profit arts organization will be considered. Demonstrated ability to thrive while working on multiple projects simultaneously. Superior writing, editorial, organizational, interpersonal and time management skills required. Demonstrated proficiency in related software and tech platforms including Google Drive, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator), and social media platforms is required. In-depth knowledge of emerging communication trends is highly desirable. Demonstrated ability to create successful partnerships that led to positive collaborations. Familiarity with upper Manhattan (Harlem, El Barrio, and Washington Heights) and its artistic stakeholders, along with address network of relevant contacts, is highly desirable. Demonstrated ability to create successful partnerships that led to positive collaborations. A second language, especially Spanish, is also desirable.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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