• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range:

Position Summary

The Executive Director, External Affairs and Communications is the senior-most executive responsible for communications, branding and public relations for the Climate School. The incumbent will be charged with shaping and advancing the School???s messaging and branding for local, state, national and global communities. As a dynamic leader, visionary and change agent, the Executive Director, External Affairs and Communication???s goal will be to reinforce existing communications strengths and further establish a strategic, innovative, impactful, and proactive messaging platform.

As a visionary and strategic advisor, the Executive Director, External Affairs and Communications will provide counsel and expertise in communications and marketing to the Climate School deans, and other senior leadership members across the University. This person will be responsible for setting and communicating the direction of communications through the creation of a strong mission, vision and strategic plan that emulate those of the School, address target audiences and key stakeholders, and ensure alignment and consistency across the institution. They will cultivate and sustain productive, collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to advance the School???s strategic priorities.

Responsibilities

• Drive global awareness of the Climate School???s brand and causes and communicate its mission across all channels internally and externally.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive and visionary, internal and external, institution-wide global communications strategy across a variety of marketing channels to reach faculty, students, staff, alumni, and various external constituents.
• Establish credibility with deans, faculty, and staff to gain an understanding of substantive priorities and translate those priorities into communications vehicles. Work collaboratively across the School to ensure cohesive and consistent branding and messaging across all platforms.
• Be a diplomatic problem solver who can understand, communicate with and influence a diverse set of audiences, including targeted regions and communities, current and prospective students, alumni, donors, corporate partners, and the media, using a variety of distribution channels including digital marketing strategies.
• Develop strong internal relationships ??? within marketing and communications and across teams at the Climate School ??? to build alignment, smooth operations, and work effectively on the development and execution of communications plans.
• Ensure that key target audiences are being engaged and that the Climate School???s story is disseminated through a variety of creative methods, including new media, social networking, video, and news media.
• Ensure the Climate School???s strategy is integrated and reflective of Columbia University???s broader communications strategy. Advise the Climate School???s deans and senior leadership on matters concerning internal and external messaging and crisis communications.
• Lead and mentor a team. Provide vision, leadership and counsel for the Climate School???s communications and marketing team. Establish, communicate, and revise, as necessary, the mission and vision for the communications unit to ensure alignment with the School???s strategic priorities.
• Help define tools and processes to manage workflow across marketing and communications as well as other teams at the Climate School.
• Partner with design, editorial, email, and web teams to deliver online and digital materials and experiences.
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor???s degree required.  A minimum of twelve years of experience in a complex, dynamic environment, and a passion for working to end the climate crisis and create a safe, equitable, and sustainable future. Experience in academia, with climate change issues or in related fields, such as clean energy would be a plus.

• Other Requirements

• Demonstrated leadership and management skills to foster a cohesive team and promote a positive work environment. A commitment to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational transformation, provide strategic vision and be a strategic advisor.
• Proven track record of operating effectively within a shared leadership landscape and cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability in developing marketing and communications strategies across a wide range of platforms and audiences that have led to significant brand/cause visibility.
• Highly experienced in media relations, branding, marketing, communications and crisis and reputation management.
• Advanced knowledge of strategies and best practices for communications, including sophisticated and creative use of social media and other forms of communications. Ability to capitalize on emerging technologies to further the Climate School???s goals.
• Ability to effectively engage with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, using strong interpersonal skills, persuasive presentation, and public speaking skills.
• Ability to build consensus, manage relationships across a diverse group of internal and external constituents, and decisively problem-solve across a multifaceted, fast-moving organization.
• Excellent writing and editing skills with proven ability to translate complex concepts into succinct, clear, accessible language for multiple audiences.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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