Senior Director, Media & Internal Relations Strategy

The Business of HLTH Podcast; New York (NY); On-site; USD 125,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia Business School is seeking a Senior Director of Media & Internal Relations to lead the school’s media relations and external positioning. This role partners with internal stakeholders, manages agencies, and shapes sustained media strategy to elevate CBS’s presence in business communities.

The incumbent will drive strategic initiatives, coordinate with faculty and centers, and scale the function with robust systems and vendor relationships, reporting to the Executive Director,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in public relations, media relations, communications, or related fields.
• Experience building or growing a media relations function and securing high-impact coverage.
• Experience managing external agencies or vendors, including setting priorities and holding them accountable.
• Proven ability to build and maintain productive relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience coordinating across functional teams and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Exceptional judgment and discretion in managing sensitive communications matters.

Responsibilities

• Sets the strategy for and drives strategic media relations initiatives that elevate CBS’s visibility.
• Manages relationships with key media outlets, journalists, and industry influencers to secure high-impact coverage.
• Identifies and develops priority faculty voices for thought leadership positioning in alignment with institutional strategy; partners with content team on strategy and approach.
• Proactively packages faculty research and institutional initiatives for media visibility and external engagement.
• Executes media pitching, press activities, and external positioning initiatives to ensure alignment with institutional priorities.
• Manages external agencies and vendors, deciding what work to keep in-house and what to direct externally, setting priorities, and holding vendors accountable for results that align with CBS strategy.
• Provides strategic direction for media relations and serves as senior contact for complex or sensitive media inquiries.
• Monitors media coverage and reputational trends, providing insights and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Builds out the media relations function over time, establishing the systems, processes, and vendor relationships needed to grow it beyond a single person.
• Determines where to invest internal effort versus external support, and directs agencies and vendors accordingly.
• Supervises, mentors, and builds a team as the function grows.
• Collaborates with colleagues across the Marketing and Communications team to ensure integrated planning and execution.
• Supports crisis communications planning and response as needed.
• Serves as the primary institutional liaison for communications needs with faculty, centers, divisions, and student offices across Columbia Business School.
• Builds trust with faculty and coaches researchers, including those new to or reluctant to engage with the press, to become effective public voices.
• Educates stakeholders on communications processes, capabilities, and best practices, helping partners understand how to effectively engage with the communications team.
• Builds and maintains productive relationships with academic units, administrative offices, and research centers to strengthen collaboration and institutional alignment.
• Works in close partnership with the Executive Director, Communications to ensure that internal communications coordination supports institutional priorities and strategic objectives.
• Identifies opportunities to strengthen CBS’s external profile through strategic media engagement, thought leadership positioning, and proactive outreach.
• Represents the communications function in cross-School initiatives and serves as a trusted resource to internal partners on communications execution.

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Columbia Business School is seeking a Senior Director of Media & Internal Relations to lead the school’s media relations and external positioning. This role partners with internal stakeholders, manages agencies, and shapes sustained media strategy to elevate CBS’s presence in business communities.

The incumbent will drive strategic initiatives, coordinate with faculty and centers, and scale the function with robust systems and vendor relationships, reporting to the Executive Director,