Assoc VP-Exec Communications

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $220K-$240K

Position Summary

The Associate Vice President, Executive Communications, reports to the leadership of the Office of Public Affairs at Columbia University and has a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Office of the President. This experienced communications professional must have exceptional writing skills and the ability to contribute strategically to supporting the development of the President’s written and verbal communications and institutional storytelling around her work.

The ideal candidate is a gifted storyteller with the ability to translate complex ideas into clear, engaging, and accessible language for both delivered remarks and written content; a creative content strategist who can identify opportunities to advance institutional priorities; and a trusted partner who can navigate sensitive issues, competing perspectives, and the demands of a complex organization with discretion, empathy, and sound judgment.

This position requires comfort and skill in research on any and all manner of subjects, the ability to help structure and scope major addresses and pieces of writing, and fluency in the issues most pertinent to higher education and great research universities in this moment.

Responsibilities

• Provides extensive research and writing support for presidential speeches, addresses, and written communication (community-wide messages, op-eds, social media content, and more), capturing the right tone and approach for any and every communications need.  
• Ensures that the president’s strategic priorities and voice are appropriately captured and conveyed in all written work and remarks, as are the University’s mission, goals, and institutional narratives.
• Conducts substantive research and relationship development with faculty and leadership across the institution to inform and enrich presidential communications efforts.
• Adhere to rigorous standards of accuracy, clarity, and editorial quality.
• Work efficiently and effectively with partners across the institution to meet tight deadlines with high-quality, executive-level written product.
• Together with colleagues in the Office of Public Affairs, identify creative opportunities to elevate the President's voice internally and externally.
• Work closely with senior communications leadership to ensure executive messaging supports broader University communications objectives.
• As requested by the President, provide executive communications support to other members of University leadership.
• Maintains the highest levels of confidentiality and discretion at all times.
• Other duties as required

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and approximately 10–20 years of progressively responsible experience in executive communications, speechwriting, strategic communications, journalism, public affairs, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience providing writing and other high-level communications support for CEO-level executives, senior institutional leaders, or similarly prominent principals.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with demonstrable success in crafting persuasive, substantive, and engaging communications in a variety of formats and addressing a variety of audiences.
• Outstanding research skills.
• The intellectual curiosity and versatility to develop fluency in unfamiliar, nuanced, or highly technical subjects.
• Proven ability to translate complex ideas and issues into approachable prose without sacrificing substance or accuracy.
• Experience developing executive narratives, thought leadership initiatives, and creative content strategies.
• Superior interpersonal skills and the ability to establish trust, build relationships, and work effectively with colleagues and partners.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism in handling confidential, sensitive, or high-stakes matters.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, respond to rapidly evolving circumstances, and consistently deliver exceptional work under deadline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, research institutions, public policy, government, journalism, or other intellectually complex, mission-driven organizations.
• Experience supporting a highly visible executive or institutional leader in a complex, decentralized organization.
• Familiarity with the challenges and opportunities facing higher education and the role of universities in public life.
• Experience contributing to institutional reputation management, public positioning, or thought leadership strategies.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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