CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES

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

Position Summary

The Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP) at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) is searching for an Associate Director of Communications and Public Affairs. The Associate Director will be responsible for end-to-end communications strategy and execution for CGEP’s research portfolio and team of scholars, as well as executive communications for the Center’s Director of Research.

Reporting to the Senior Director for Communications and Policy Strategy, this role will lead, develop, and execute traditional and digital communications strategies for all of CGEP’s research scholars, programs, and initiatives. The Associate Director will leverage the Center's publications, reports, blog posts, testimonies, events, and digital media content to elevate CGEP as a global leader in energy policy. The Associate Director will serve a critical role translating policy, research, and scholarship into formats that help policymakers and the public understand the complexities of the energy transition, as well as identify opportunities for scholars to join the public dialogue, share their expertise and policy analysis, and foster stronger, evidence-based conversations on critical energy and climate issues.

The Associate Director of Communications and Public Affairs will also be responsible for the Director of Research’s thought leadership and external initiatives. This includes managing messaging, speechwriting, media relations, social media, op-eds and blogs, and coordinating public appearances at international and domestic conferences and other events. The Associate Director will be expected to align and coordinate plans with other members of the communications team, CGEP’s leadership team and other key offices to ensure that the Research Director’s priorities and initiatives are advanced across internal and external stakeholder groups.

This resourceful, collaborative member of the Communications and Policy Strategy team must have a significant background in energy policy, principal management experience, exceptional research and writing skills, an excellent eye for detail, experience in media relations, and strong management and organizational skills. The Associate Director must also have policy communications expertise, preferably in government or other high-visibility and fast-paced institutions, especially in the fields of energy, climate change, and both foreign and domestic policy.

The position will work closely with team members as part of a growing strategic communications team as well as with colleagues across CGEP’s events, development, research, and front office teams. The role will require close collaboration and relationship-building throughout CGEP and across Columbia University. Additionally, a particular focus for CGEP is the impact of issues of racism, environmental justice, gender equality, and inclusion in our energy system. The Center supports a culturally diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment, reflected across our staffing, leadership, scholarship and operations.

Responsibilities

Research Communications

• Develop and execute integrated strategic communications plans to promote CGEP research communications and engagement objectives, including communication and content creation, message development, congressional and external affairs, media relations, and event support.
• Write and lead the development of public facing materials, including webpages, print materials, newsletters, op-eds, podcasts and other communications and marketing collateral.
• Serve as the primary communications point of contact and public affairs advisor for CGEP’s Research Scholars, and Research and Publications Teams, including managing a content and announcement schedule.
• Plan and coordinate policy and research announcements on behalf of CGEP and work with outside organizations/entities, such as government officials, NGOs, think tanks, academic institutions and private sector partners, using multifaceted communications plans, including launch events, media outreach, social and digital media content, outreach to Members of Congress and Executive Branch Officials.
• Write and synthesize policy research in plain language for a wide range of audiences, ensuring information is accurate and appropriate for use by CGEP leadership and scholars, stakeholders at Columbia University, media outlets, policymakers, and non-technical audiences.
• Incorporate strategic communications as a core function across all aspects of Center operations, ensuring consistency across all CGEP materials and communications.
• Monitor and analyze the impact of CGEP research and communications strategies.
• Explore and develop new ways to strengthen CGEP's brand identity and engagement with key stakeholder audiences.
• Demonstrate political savvy and judgment, and a sense of which opportunities are appropriate for CGEP’s brand.
• Build relationships and work collaboratively with communications peers at SIPA and other University units including the Earth Institute, Law School, Business School, Engineering School and President's office and cross-functionally within CGEP.
• Perform other duties as assigned and assist in special projects.

Executive Communications for the Director of Research

• In collaboration with the Communications and Policy Strategy team, develop and oversee the execution of thought leadership strategies for the Director of Research, including: interviews and conversations with members of the media; public appearances and strategic participation at conferences, think tanks and other organizations; messaging, remarks and briefings; social media and digital amplification of news, blogs, op-eds and other communications.
• Work closely with the Director of Research’s staff to coordinate and collaborate on scheduling and strategy for media interviews, speaking engagements, and other marketing activities.
• Develop and articulate key messages for the Director of Research that align with CGEP’s mission, vision, and goals.
• Craft talking points, speeches, and social media copy for public events and media interviews, ensuring consistency in messaging across communication channels.
• Build and maintain relationships with key energy and climate journalists, and actively pitch the Director of Research on current events.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, government, public policy, foreign policy or related field focused on energy and climate issues.
• At least 4-6 years of experience in political or policy communications with direct experience staffing and managing an elected, appointed, or public-facing official/executive, preferably in government or other high-visibility and fast-paced institutions, especially in the fields of energy, climate change, and both foreign and domestic policy.
• Demonstrated success leading and developing energy policy communications in the government, private sector or academia leveraging traditional, digital and social media strategies.
• Experience in policy and research writing for an executive and managing executive and/or policy communications programs.
• Experience serving as an on the record spokesperson with relationships to top-tier national and international media covering the energy, environment and climate, economy and national security beats.
• Demonstrated principal management experience, exceptional research and writing skills, an excellent eye for detail, and strong management and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to meet expectations for written style and content for a variety of audiences and platforms, to accept and apply edits and constructive criticism, tailor to the wording and tone of principal or product.
• Extensive experience researching, writing, and editing communications content for executive or legislative branch government officials, public policy thought leaders, or highly-visible private sector executives under tight time constraints in a variety of styles.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, use sound judgment in making decisions, balance multiple priorities, and communicate proactively with stakeholders about project risks or uncertainties.
• A deep commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.
• Superior communication skills to facilitate requests with internal constituents and extensive experience working with scheduling teams.
• Exceptional writing and storytelling skills, understanding how to create content that draws an audience.
• Keen attention to detail with strong organization and time management skills. Ability to prioritize and manage a high volume of detailed work with conflicting priorities, and deliver on a tight deadline.
• Ability to foster an inclusive workplace where diversity and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission of the organization.
• Able and willing to work across global time zones, early morning or evening hours and some weekends.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel)

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public policy, foreign policy, communications, journalism or related field
• Experience translating complex policy issues into plain language
• In-depth understanding of the energy sector and energy technology
• Experience speechwriting
• Experience handling crisis communications
• Demonstrated interest in the role that academia plays in influencing public policy
• Proficiency in digital communications tools, graphic design, recording and editing short videos for social media, podcast production and editing, and SEO.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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