Assistant Director of Communications, Institute of Global Politics

$82,000 - $86,000/Yr

Columbia University - New York, NY

Full-time - Mid Level

New York, NY

Educational Services

About the position

The Institute of Global Politics (IGP) at Columbia University is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Assistant Director of Communications to join its dynamic team. This position is integral to the Institute's mission of connecting leading policymakers, political leaders, practitioners, and scholars to produce cutting-edge research that addresses pressing global challenges. The Assistant Director will play a crucial role in developing and implementing strategic communication initiatives aimed at enhancing IGP's visibility, engagement, and impact on a global scale. This role requires a proactive individual with a strong background in communications and digital marketing, who will report directly to the Executive Director of the Institute. In this position, the Assistant Director will assist in the development and execution of comprehensive communication plans that promote IGP's research, programs, and events. The candidate will work closely with the Executive Director to align communication strategies with the Institute's goals and objectives. The role involves producing, editing, and managing high-quality content across various platforms, including social media, email marketing, and the Institute's website. The Assistant Director will also lead a comprehensive email communications strategy, manage social media content, and oversee the daily operations of IGP's website, ensuring that all content is accurate, engaging, and up-to-date. Additionally, the Assistant Director will collaborate with the events team to develop communication strategies for promoting events, manage event-related communications, and ensure that all materials adhere to IGP's branding guidelines. The role also includes monitoring and analyzing communication metrics to assess the effectiveness of strategies and initiatives, providing regular reports and recommendations for improvement based on data insights. This position is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to make a significant impact in the field of global politics through effective communication.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and execution of comprehensive communication plans to promote IGP's research, programs, and events.
• Work closely with the Executive Director of IGP to align strategies with the Institute's goals and objectives.
• Produce, edit, and manage high-quality content for various platforms including social media, email marketing, and the Institute's website.
• Coordinate with faculty and researchers to highlight their work through engaging and informative content.
• Lead a comprehensive email communications strategy for target audiences.
• Segment and manage email lists for effective communication.
• Support the execution of a comprehensive social media strategy, creating and curating compelling content for platforms such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
• Attend events in person, capturing content for various channels.
• Oversee the daily operations and maintenance of IGP's website, ensuring content is up-to-date, accurate, and engaging.
• Develop and implement strategies to enhance user experience and improve SEO and website traffic.
• Collaborate with the web development team to troubleshoot technical issues and implement updates, new features, and page/section refreshes.
• Collaborate with the events team to develop and execute communication strategies for promoting events.
• Manage event-related communications, including invitations, promotional materials, and post-event follow-ups and recaps.
• Ensure all communication materials adhere to IGP's branding guidelines and maintain a consistent voice and tone.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and refinement of IGP's brand identity.
• Monitor and analyze communication metrics to assess the effectiveness of strategies and initiatives.
• Provide regular reports and recommendations for improvement based on data insights.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, or a related field.
• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in communications.
• Proven experience in digital communications, content creation, and social media management.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Strong understanding of social media platforms, digital communication tools, and website CMS systems.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, collaborative team environment and interact effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented with a keen eye for design and aesthetics.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree preferred.
• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in communications within an academic or research institution.
• Skilled in Drupal web CMS.
• Skilled in Mailchimp and Canva.
• Knowledge of global politics and international affairs is highly desirable.