Director, Marketing and Communications

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the Director of Marketing and Communications will lead the development and execution of an integrated marketing strategy for Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. The position will play a central role in expanding the School’s reach, strengthening its market position, and identifying and engaging new audiences for its degree programs, professional and executive education offerings, and other strategic initiatives.

A primary focus of the role will be enrollment marketing. Working closely with Admissions and Financial Aid, the Director of Marketing and Communications will develop strategies to increase awareness of Columbia Journalism School among prospective students, generate qualified prospects, and grow the pipeline for the School’s academic programs. The successful candidate will bring particular expertise in identifying and reaching audiences who may not already be considering graduate journalism education and translating the School’s distinctive strengths into compelling campaigns that drive interest and enrollment.

The position will complement and amplify the School’s existing recruitment efforts by bringing dedicated marketing expertise in audience development, market research, positioning, campaign strategy, and lead generation.

The Director will also provide marketing strategy and support for other School priorities, including professional and executive education programs, alumni and development initiatives, and other emerging programs. The position will work across departments to understand their goals, identify audiences, and develop effective approaches to reaching them.

The Director of Marketing and Communications will supervise the Senior Digital Communications Specialist and help integrate marketing strategy with the School’s digital communications, content, social media, website, and storytelling efforts. Working as part of a small, collaborative team, the Director must be equally comfortable setting strategy and executing it and will contribute directly to campaigns, content, digital platforms, and other marketing and communications work as needs arise.

The position will establish goals and metrics for marketing initiatives, assess performance and return on investment, and use data and experimentation to continuously improve the School’s approach.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive, School-wide marketing strategy aligned with Columbia Journalism School’s institutional priorities and enrollment and revenue goals.
• Conduct audience research and segmentation to identify new and emerging markets for the School’s degree and non-degree programs. Develop compelling positioning, messaging, and campaigns tailored to distinct audiences and programs.
• Build and execute integrated, multichannel campaigns across paid, owned, earned, social, digital, email, search, and other appropriate channels. Identify opportunities to strengthen the School’s visibility and competitive position and introduce new approaches to reaching audiences beyond traditional higher education and journalism recruitment channels.
• Manage the School’s marketing budget and recommend investments based on strategic priorities, performance, and expected return.
• Serve as the School’s lead marketing strategist for student recruitment, working in close partnership with Admissions and Financial Aid to complement and strengthen existing recruitment efforts. Develop and execute strategies and campaigns that generate awareness, interest, and qualified prospective students for the School’s degree programs.
• Identify new audiences, markets, partnerships, channels, and approaches for reaching prospective students, including career changers and individuals who may…