Associate Dean, Communications

Columbia University
United States, New York, New York
Sep 04, 2025
Job Type: Officer of Administration Bargaining Unit: Regular/Temporary: Regular End Date if Temporary: Hours Per Week: 35 Standard Work Schedule: Building: Salary Range: $150,000 - $170,000 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. A strong internal candidate has been identified for this position, however, we are still accepting applications from other qualified candidates. Position Summary The Columbia University Mailman School's Associate Dean for Communications (ADC) is a key member of the School's senior leadership team. With an eye towards raising visibility of the Mailman School's unique role in and approach to improving global public health, the ADC leads the creation of a central narrative for the School and develops an integrated communications and marketing strategy that reflects that narrative and the School's priorities. The ADC collaborates with the School's academic and non-academic leaders and directs the Office of Communications to develop, manage and leverage multiple communications channels to influence key internal and external audiences to meet student recruitment, fundraising, Board engagement, and other awareness and influence goals. The ADC reports directly to the Dean, works closely with other members of the Dean's Leadership Team and collaborates in strategy-building with Departments and Centers across the school, particularly the Office of Student Affairs, Development, Information Technology and Career Services. The ADC serves as the School's liaison to the Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) Office of Communications and the Columbia University's Office of Public Affairs. Responsibilities School Leadership Working closely with the Dean and fellow members of the 10-person Dean's Leadership Team, the ADC contribute to high-level strategy development for the School. The team's work together includes advancing strategic initiatives toward success; making significant policy and budget decisions for the School; maximizing engagement of and relationship with the Board of Advisors, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and other stakeholders; and managing reputational risks and crises. Communications Strategy and Leadership Provide communications and marketing leadership to the Dean and senior management team to articulate the School's vision and advance key School-wide objectives. Lead the dissemination of effective communications and marketing strategies that differentiate the Mailman School from its peers and resonate with key stakeholder groups, including national and international press; peer institutions; potential funders and corporate, government or NGO partners; Board of Advisors; the general public domestically and abroad; and current faculty, students, staff and alumni. Work closely with the Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations to develop strategies, activities and materials to engage new donors and support fundraising initiatives, including supporting the launch of fundraising campaigns. Work closely with the Vice Dean for Education to develop strategies, activities and materials in support of student recruitment to meet enrollment targets and increase the quality of the student applicant pool. Advise Academic Departments, Centers, programs, and administrative offices on their discrete communications needs and assist in their development of communications messages that are linked to and amplify the School's vision. Communications Operations Serve as the School's leader in media relations, including leading relationship-building to proactively garner positive media coverage that shapes public discourse and enhances the School's reputation, functioning as necessary as the School's spokesperson, managing elite media outreach, and advising the Dean and other leaders on targeted press inquiries and needed crisis communications. Lead a communications team responsible for proactively managing and amplifying the School's external visibility using media, the website, social media, video, public events, and additional channels and communications tools as needed. Working in concert with the Dean, Chief of Staff and other members of the Dean's Leadership Team, assist in preparing speeches, briefings, articles, editorials, and other materials that communicate the School's vision. Other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree required, with 10+ years senior management experience in public relations, marketing and/or journalism. Deep appreciation of and passion for the public health vision and mission of the Columbia Mailman School. Proven professional success in planning, developing and executing a comprehensive communications strategy and managing a budget and staff. Orientation to work collaboratively with colleagues throughout the School and University. Track record of having successfully led through a period of transformation and growth within a highly complex environment. Agility to adjust plans based on emerging School needs. Preferred Qualifications Master's degree preferred. Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.