Sr Communications Specialist

Grade 104

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary:
  Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $95,000 - $110,000

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.

The Senior Communication Specialist will lead and support communications activities for the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine (CDM). Individual will play a central role in developing, implementing, and building core, defining narratives of the College of Dental Medicine (CDM) in support of the Dean's vision and overall strategic plan for the school. The Senior Communications Specialist will play a vital role in amplifying the mission of the College of Dental Medicine by working with faculty, researchers, staff, and external communication teams to showcase research, disseminate resources, and promote events.

The successful candidate should be a proactive and strategic communications professional with excellent project management, writing, and editing skills, as well as experience leveraging data and insights to advance program goals and objectives. Through this role, there is an opportunity to build an innovative communications portfolio that exhibits mastery in written, visual, and video-based media across multiple platforms and audiences.

The individual in this role will report directly to the Chief of Staff for the College of Dental Medicine.

• Write, edit, proofread, and produce internal and public-facing materials, including newsletters, website content, social media posts, print materials, and brochures.
• Draft and edit stories for the website, newsletter, and other channels.
• Manage content development, distribution, and subscriber lists for the College of Dental Medicine.
• Design event/program communications (flyers, announcements) and coordinate the distribution to internal and external audiences with program staff.
• Partner with faculty, staff, and communication teams to create, review, publish, and cross-promote stories and events.
• Ensure consistent branding across all promotional materials and communications.

• Maintain College of Dental Medicine website content, social media accounts (Instagram, Facebook, Linked In) and identify new platforms as appropriate.
• Create and execute social media campaigns to increase engagement and visibility.
• Develop and maintain digital content for the College of Dental Medicine website and related sites.
• Track and analyze web and social media analytics; recommend and implement strategies to strengthen audience reach and engagement.

• Maintain a dynamic editorial and content calendar that integrates strategic priorities and institutional achievements to sustain a consistent communications rhythm.
• Serve as CDM Liaison with the central offices of communications, digital strategy & web services.
• Assist with general program administration as it relates to communications, online and print publications, and events.
• Assist with event logistics, including working with program staff on registration, video editing, and post-event communications.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned/requested.

• Bachelor’s degree required in communications, marketing, journalism, or other related fields, and three years of related work experience.

• Experience working in a higher education academic setting.
• Master’s degree required in communications, marketing, journalism, or other related fields, with at least three years of related work experience.
• Ability to work both independently.
• Supervisory experience.
• Highly detail-oriented, proactive, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with minimal supervision.
• Exceptional organizational, analytical, interpersonal, and project management skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, Mailchimp (or similar platforms), event management software, website content management systems, and major social media platforms.
• Experience producing newsletters, social media campaigns, reports, memos, and other communication materials.
• Experience in monitoring and analyzing web and social media metrics.

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