Chief Communications Officer

Grade 16

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $275,000-$295,000
  
  

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

Reporting to the Dean of the Columbia Business School and working closely with the Chief of Staff, the Chief Communications Officer (CCO) at Columbia Business School (CBS) is pivot in shaping and amplifying CBS’s global influence by developing and implementing a strategic communications plan to elevate the School’s reputation, visibility, thought leadership, and brand. Leading a team of communications professionals, the CCO will collaborate with senior leadership, faculty, staff, and external partners to advance CBS’s mission and align communication efforts with strategic priorities. This role oversees all facets of internal and external communications efforts, including media relations, content creation, crisis communication, and digital communications to strengthen CBS’s global positioning to ensure impactful messaging across all platforms and stakeholders.

About CBS

For over a century, Columbia Business School has helped develop leaders and builders of enterprises who drive value for their stakeholders and society at large through our MBA, MS, PhD, and Executive Education programs. We are equally committed to cultivating new scholars and teachers, and to creating and disseminating pathbreaking knowledge, concepts, and tools which advance the understanding and practice of management through our faculty research and PhD programs.

Our vision is simple: to develop ideas and leaders that transform the world—from the very center of business. Our ever-evolving curriculum - featuring pioneering courses, STEM certification, and immersive experiential learning -prepares students to excel in key areas such as digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and innovation, twenty-first century finance, the intersection of business and society, and climate and sustainability. The CBS administration enables CBS’ educational and scholarly mission through strategic and operational guidance and support, optimizing School resources through well-designed, transparent processes with a culture of respect for all.

Responsibilities

Strategic Communications

• Strategic Communications: Develops and implements robust communications strategies that elevates CBS’s profile globally, while ensuring alignment with the School’s mission and values. Collaborates with the Vice Dean for Research to drive a thought leadership communications strategy.
• Brand Management: Leads initiatives to enhance CBS’s brand identity, ensuring consistent and compelling messaging across all channels and departments. Champions innovation and adoption of new communication technologies.
• Event Promotion: Collaborates with internal teams to promote major CBS events, including speaker series, conferences, alumni gatherings, and AI initiatives.
• Media Relations: Partners with the communication team to manage media outreach efforts, serving as a primary spokesperson when necessary.
• Community Engagement: Leads initiatives to improve internal communication, ensuring that CBS’s community of faculty, staff, and students are well-informed and engaged with school priorities.
• Crisis Communication: Serves as a key leader in developing and executing crisis communication strategies to effectively manage sensitive or high-stakes situations.
• Speechwriting and Dean's Communications: Draft high-level communication for the Dean, including speeches and statements that aligns with CBS’s strategic objectives and tone.
  
  

Internal Communications

• Community Engagement: Leads initiatives to improve internal communication, ensuring that CBS’s community of faculty, staff, and students are well-informed and engaged with school priorities.
• Crisis Communication: Provides strategic advice and guidance in developing and executing crisis communication strategies to effectively manage sensitive or high-stakes situations.
• Speechwriting and Dean's Communications: Crafts high-level communication for the Dean, including speeches and statements that aligns with CBS’s strategic objectives and tone.
  
  

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

• Partnerships & Outreach: Cultivates and maintains relationships with key stakeholders both within CBS and across Columbia University, including faculty, alumni, students, and external partners.
  
  

Leadership and Operational Oversight

• Budget Management: Oversees the department's budget, managing expenses, including contractor costs, and ensuring responsible financial planning.
• Metrics & Reporting: Oversees the measurement of communication strategy effectiveness. Leverages MarComms team to track, analyze, and report on key metrics. Provides regular updates to leadership to refine strategies as needed to maximize impact and alignment with CBS’s goals.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in communications, with at least 5 years in a leadership or management role.
• Proven experience in strategic communications, media relations, digital media, and crisis communication.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex ideas into clear, engaging messages.
• Demonstrated experience in team management, with a track record of mentoring and developing talent.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with multiple priorities.
• Experience in higher education, particularly business schools, strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of digital communications platforms, analytics, and social media strategies
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the business and academic landscape.
• Experience working with executive leadership and managing high-level stakeholder relationships.
• Familiarity with AI and emerging trends in business education is advantageous.
  
  

Application Process

• Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and portfolio of relevant work.
  
  

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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