Communications and Partnerships Specialist - CICET

Columbia University Irving Medical Center; New York (NY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York is seeking a Communications and Partnerships Specialist to support CICET’s communications, digital content, and partner engagement across internal and external audiences.

The role emphasizes translating scientific information into accessible content, coordinating multiple stakeholders, and advancing institutional priorities through stories, newsletters, events, and donor communications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in education and experience, plus four years of related experience required.
• Preferred: five or more years in communications, project management, science communications, healthcare, higher education, nonprofit, or related research settings.
• Experience drafting content for web, newsletters, social media, and executive communications.

Responsibilities

• Draft and coordinate CICET content for newsletters, website updates, faculty announcements, event descriptions, award announcements, recruitment materials, partnership communications, and institutional updates.
• Translate scientific and programmatic information into clear language for broad audiences including faculty, trainees, prospective recruits, collaborators, and donors.
• Coordinate with CUIMC Communications to identify opportunities for stories, media coverage, newsletters, and broader institutional visibility.
• Support content development related to CICET programs, funding opportunities, fellowships, faculty recruitment, and institutional priorities.

Skills

Strong writing

Project management

Cross-functional coordination

Communications strategy

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

LinkedIn

Job description

Grade 105

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $75,000.00 - $105,000.00

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

The Communications and Partnerships Specialist will support CICET’s communications, digital content, and partner engagement efforts across internal and external audiences. This role will help strengthen CICET’s visibility by developing clear, accessible content and coordinating outreach activities across CICET programs, partnerships, events, awards, and institutional initiatives.

The position will work closely with CICET leadership, CUIMC Communications central unit, the Office of Development, the Dean’s Office, research teams, faculty, staff, and external collaborators to manage requests, track timelines, and support priorities that advance CICET’s scientific, institutional, and philanthropic goals.

This role is communications-focused, with a strong project-management component. The ideal candidate will be a strong writer and highly organized coordinator who can translate scientific and clinical information into accessible content, manage multiple stakeholders, and help move projects forward.

Responsibilities

Communications and Content Development

• Draft, edit, and coordinate CICET content, including newsletters, website updates, faculty announcements, event descriptions, award announcements, recruitment materials, partnership communications, and institutional updates.
• Translate scientific and programmatic information into clear, accessible language for broad audiences, including faculty, trainees, prospective recruits, collaborators, and donors.
• Work closely with CUIMC Communications to identify opportunities for stories, announcements, media coverage, newsletters, and broader institutional visibility.
• Support content development related to CICET’s programs, funding opportunities, fellowships, faculty recruitment, and institutional priorities.

Website, Digital Content, and Social Media

• Manage and maintain CICET’s website content, ensuring information is current, accurate, organized, and aligned with institute priorities.
• Work with CUIMC Communications and web/content teams to improve site structure, navigation, searchable language, and discoverability.
• Help manage CICET’s LinkedIn presence and create social media content highlighting faculty achievements, awards, events, publications, partnerships, and institutional priorities.
• Support a sustainable digital communications approach aligned with broader Columbia communications priorities.

Project Management and Partner Coordination

• Serve as the project-management point person for communications and partner-facing initiatives, including fellowships, strategic partnerships, donor-related projects, and institutional collaborations.
• Represent CICET in relevant collaborative meetings, track action items, and coordinate follow-up with internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate requests across CICET leadership, CUIMC Communications, Development, the Dean’s Office, research teams, and external partners to support project execution and follow-through.
• Manage intake, timelines, approvals, deliverables, and follow-up for communications, partnership, and visibility-related projects.

Leadership, Events, and Strategic Visibility

• Support communications and visibility efforts for CICET leadership, including awards, speaking engagements, interviews, bios, faculty profiles, thought leadership opportunities, and related materials.
• Coordinate communications and support materials for CICET events, seminars, symposia, lectures, external visits, conferences, and recruitment events.
• Help identify high-priority conferences, speaking engagements, and external opportunities where CICET should have a visible presence.
• Support visibility efforts tied to publications, conferences, institutional milestones, and scientific leadership.

Internal Communications and Development Support

• Coordinate internal CICET communications, including faculty and trainee updates, new grants, awards, funding opportunities, events, and community announcements.
• Support regular internal communications tailored to CICET’s faculty, trainees, staff, and affiliated collaborators.
• Coordinate with Development on donor-facing materials, program descriptions, bios, faculty profiles, event content, philanthropic priorities, and related communications.
• Help identify internal updates that can be elevated for broader institutional, donor-facing, or public visibility.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in education and experience, plus four years of related experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least five years of relevant experience in communications, project management, science communications, healthcare, higher education, nonprofit, or related research settings preferred.
• Experience supporting senior leadership, faculty, communications teams, development teams, or external collaborators.
• Experience drafting content for web, newsletters, social media, and executive communications.
• Experience managing cross-functional projects involving approvals, deadlines, and multiple contributors.
• Familiarity with LinkedIn and other professional digital communications strategy preferred.

Other Requirements

• Resume
• Cover letter
• 2-3 writing samples demonstrating professional, public-facing, and/or project-based communications
• Additional writing exercise may be required as part of the interview process.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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