Communications Associate

Columbia University; New York (NY); On-site; USD 68,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia University in New York is seeking a Communications Associate to join the Knight First Amendment Institute. This role involves supporting the communications team in drafting social media and press materials.

The ideal candidate will possess excellent written communication skills and a keen interest in media, public affairs, and advocacy. The position requires creativity and the ability to translate complex topics into engaging content.

This is a hybrid role, requiring in-office work two days a week.

Qualifications

• 0-2 years of professional communications or public-facing writing experience.
• Ability to draft clear, concise, engaging, and audience-aware copy.
• Strong computer skills and proficiency with various social media platforms.

Responsibilities

• Draft and adapt social media content.
• Monitor social media and identify public debate opportunities.
• Support planning and execution of press releases and communications materials.

Skills

Excellent written communication skills

Strong news judgment

Social media proficiency

Interpersonal skills

Education

BA or BS degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Craft CMS

Canva

Job description

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35.0
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: 68,000 - 75,000

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

The Knight First Amendment Institute defends the freedoms of speech and the press in the digital age through strategic litigation, research, policy advocacy, and public education. Our aim is to promote a system of free expression that is open and inclusive, that broadens and elevates public discourse, and that fosters creativity, accountability, and effective self-government.

Since its establishment in 2016, the Institute has filed precedent-setting litigation, undertaken major interdisciplinary research initiatives, and become an influential voice in debates about the freedoms of speech and the press in the digital age. Its active litigation docket includes cutting-edge cases relating to transparency, surveillance, and social media. Through its research program, the Institute has hosted leading thinkers as visiting scholars and presented public programs and published series of influential essays focusing on issues including artificial intelligence and public discourse, data and democracy, the future of press freedom, the First Amendment and inequality, and the implications of economic concentration in the technology sector for the freedoms of speech and the press.

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Communications, Media and Social Media Strategy, the Communications Associate will be a vital part of the Institute’s growing communications team. Using independent judgment, the Communications Associate supports social media, press, and public education outreach to advance the Institute’s mission and priorities. This role is ideal for a creative, resourceful, early-career communications professional who is eager to translate complex legal, policy, research, and public education work into clear, engaging public-facing content. The Communications Associate should be mission-driven, attentive to the news, fluent in social media, and interested in how strategic communications can shape public understanding of free speech and press freedom in the digital age.

Responsibilities

• Draft and adapt social media content across platforms to translate the Institute’s litigation, research, policy, advocacy, and public education work for different audiences.
• Develop social media ideas and platform-specific approaches that help make the Institute’s work more accessible, timely, and engaging.
• Monitor social media, digital conversations, peer organizations, reporters, and breaking news to identify opportunities for the Institute to contribute to public debates.
• Draft press and communications materials, including press releases, media advisories, social media posts, quick quotes, and other rapid response materials under urgent deadlines.
• Draft and maintain messaging materials, including talking points and Q&A for emerging issue areas, legal challenges, research projects, and public education initiatives.
• Identify relevant reporters and outlets, draft pitches, and prepare materials that help secure coverage of the Institute’s work.
• Support the planning and execution of press calls, press conferences, rallies, and other public-facing moments as needed.
• Manage the Institute’s day-to-day social media presence in coordination with the communications team and elevate higher complexity items, as needed.
• Develop and maintain press lists, social media trackers, clip reports, content calendars, and other communications systems.
• Collaborate with colleagues and partner organizations to support joint communications plans around collaborative projects, lawsuits, events, and public education initiatives.
• Promote events, podcasts, films, videos, livestreams, and other public education initiatives, including coordinating paid advertising campaigns.
• Post content to the Institute’s website and maintain the communications team’s databases, including a Digital Asset Management library.
• Staff Institute events and other public education programs as needed.
• Contribute to special projects and other duties as assigned.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• BA or BS degree or equivalent required.
• 0-2 years of professional communications, journalism, social media, digital content, nonprofit, advocacy, or public-facing writing experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to draft clear, concise, engaging, and audience-aware copy.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, judgment, and tact in dealing with confidential information.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team, taking initiative and problem solving as needed.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office, Outlook, Craft CMS, and social media platforms.
• Strong news judgment and demonstrated interest in media, social media, public affairs, law, technology, democracy, and public policy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a legal advocacy organization, policy organization, newsroom, university, nonprofit, campaign, or other mission-driven communications setting.
• Experience drafting social media or digital content for an organization, campaign, newsroom, nonprofit, advocacy group, or public-facing project.
• Experience with Notion, Mailchimp, Canto, Canva, Eventbrite, and/or social media management tools.
• Proven interest in current free speech, press freedom, technology, media, democracy, and public policy debates.
• Passionate consumer of media and social media.

This position is hybrid; you will be required to work in-office at least two days a week (subject to change with the Institute’s in-office requirements).

Other Requirements

To apply, please submit:

• Resume
• Cover letter explaining your interest in the position, including a description of any relevant life or work experience
• Two writing samples

Writing is an essential skill for this position, so we ask that you please do not use AI in the preparation of any of your application materials.

The posting will remain open until filled, and we’ll begin reviewing applications on July 13, 2026.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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