Associate Vice President of Internal Communications

Columbia University seeks an accomplished and strategic leader to serve as Associate Vice President for Internal Communications, reporting to the Senior Vice President of Public Affairs. This position provides executive leadership for the University's internal communications function, advancing an internal communications program that supports the University's academic mission and strategic priorities and furthers communications alignment across the University's 17 schools.

As the leader of the University's Internal Communications function, the AVP is responsible for shaping and executing a comprehensive internal communications program that strengthens institutional alignment and fosters a culture of transparency, engagement, and trust among internal stakeholders. The AVP serves as both player and coach: advising on communications strategy while also driving and executing a multi-dimensional internal communications plan.

The AVP must bring exceptional judgment, intellectual sophistication, and a nuanced understanding of the cultural and structural complexities of a research and academic institution of Columbia's size. This position requires strong organizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive internal communications strategy that advances University priorities and strengthens alignment across Columbia's schools, institutes, and administrative units.
• Ensure integration and messaging alignment between internal and external communications within the central administration and the University's 17 schools.
• Provide strategic oversight of internal communications channels and platforms, ensuring effectiveness, accessibility, and broad engagement across faculty, staff, and administrators.
• Design and support meaningful opportunities for dialogue within the University's communications community, including the semi-annual Campus Communicators Summit, and develop ideas for additional University-wide forums focused on engaging our internal community.
• Partner with central administrative offices, including the Provost's Office, University Life, Human Resources, Facilities, Public Safety, and others to support alignment of internal communications around institutional initiatives and change management efforts.
• Working alongside colleagues within OPA, develop a system to track and analyze internal communications performance metrics and KPIs. Drive innovation in internal communications practices, informed by data, feedback, and evolving institutional needs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• A minimum of 12 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, with a focus on internal communications and substantial experience in complex, large, decentralized organizations; a mix of corporate and higher education experience strongly preferred.
• Exceptional writing, editorial, and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas with clarity, precision, and authority.
• Expert facility with modern communications tools
• Deep understanding of the culture of research universities, including the culture of key internal stakeholder groups (students, faculty, staff).
• Demonstrated success in developing creative internal communications programs and the ability to measure changes in engagement and sentiment
• Experience advising senior executives and leading communications in high-stakes, high-visibility environments.
• High emotional intelligence. Ability to operate with discretion, sound judgment, and diplomacy in a complex, institutional environment, and the capacity to navigate that complexity and ambiguity with poise and patience.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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