Senior Executive Communications Lead

Columbia University in the City of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 220,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia University in the City of New York seeks an Associate Vice President, Executive Communications, to support the President’s written and verbal communications and contribute to institutional storytelling. The role reports to the Office of Public Affairs and collaborates with senior leaders across the university.

The ideal candidate translates complex ideas into clear, engaging language for speeches and written content, develops strategic content, and navigates sensitive issues with

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.

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

Skills

Executive communications

Speechwriting

Strategic communications

Editing

Public affairs

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Columbia University in the City of New York seeks an Associate Vice President, Executive Communications, to support the President’s written and verbal communications and contribute to institutional storytelling. The role reports to the Office of Public Affairs and collaborates with senior leaders across the university.

The ideal candidate translates complex ideas into clear, engaging language for speeches and written content, develops strategic content, and navigates sensitive issues with