Strategic Communications and Engagement Lead

Strategic Communications and Engagement Lead

Position Summary The Data Science Institute (DSI) at Columbia University is a world-leading research and education institute advancing the field of data science and artificial intelligence (AI) Our mission is to harness the power of data science and AI to drive positive change in society. Through pioneering research and education, we develop cutting-edge solutions and prepare responsible innovators to tackle urgent challenges. By bringing together Columbia’s diverse academic expertise with its advanced data science and AI capabilities, DSI leads interdisciplinary collaboration and cultivates high-impact partnerships across academia, industry, and the public sector. Guided by the principle of Data for Good, we translate data insights into real-world applications that enhance societal well-being and promote sustainable progress.

Reporting to the Managing Director, Engagement and Programs, the Strategic Communications and Engagement Lead (“the role”), serves as the lead communications and marketing strategist for Strategic Alliances, with a focus on developing campaigns and responsive content across its channels to grow engagement with and membership for DSI’s Industry Catalyst Network as it grows.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Alliances Communications and Marketing

• The role is responsible for web production and marketing, newsletter and social media strategy for the Strategic Alliances program.

• The Strategic Communications and Engagement Lead collaborates closely with the Chief of Strategic Alliances to help meet the Alliance’s programmatic, communication and marketing goals. Together with the Managing Director, the role identifies opportunities for compelling storytelling and campaigns that can reach key audiences within and beyond DSI’s Industry Catalyst Network.

• Storytelling Strategy and Campaign Development

• Designs routine and standalone communications/marketing messaging and campaigns for DSI’s Strategic Alliances across a variety of formats (web, social media, email, print). Ensures appropriateness of style, format, and tone and relevance to industry audiences (current and prospective).

• In partnership with the Managing Director and using relevant data sources, this role informs and advises DSI leadership about the ways in which its content and strategy across web, email, and social media are translating into institutional impact and partnership growth among industry.

• The person in this role is responsible for identifying and preparing compelling opportunities to showcase thought leadership within the DSI community to industry partners.

• The person in this role designs ancillary presentations, focused marketing campaigns using a variety of graphic and content tools, and provides support for writing, editing and project management of related communications initiatives.

• Develops timelines, strategic approaches, and workflows as well as authors and edits communications and messaging for external channels.

• Website Production Strategy

• Ensures that DSI’s website aligns to organizational and narrative objectives. Serves as lead for communications on web production, advising DSI team members to create and organize web content in ways that enhance the user experience. Ensures that the user experience and audience journey is dynamic and designed to engage new and existing audiences.

• Audience Monitoring and Strategy

• As a key member of the DSI Communications team, the role supports the Managing Director by leading goal-setting and tracking key data for DSI’s broader portfolio of communication and marketing across web, email and social media, namely the organization’s programming and events across disciplines, and its engagement with non-industry audiences (faculty, students, alumni, Columbia University leadership, peer universities, the general public).

• The role is charged with partnering with the Managing Director to set ongoing and campaign-based KPIs that can meaningfully assess communications and marketing performance across DSI’s portfolios. This includes but is not limited to: quarterly metrics deep dive, monthly analytics report to DSI leadership, and end of year analytics reporting to assess progress against goals.

• Over time, the role will work with the Managing Director to deepen DSI’s understanding of audience segmentation, persona development, and lifecycle engagement designs across audiences, in service of meeting organizational goals.

• Communications Analytics and Organizational Effectiveness

• Builds and manages the Marketing Hub within DSI’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool ensuring that the strategy, design and supporting content all align to DSI’s strategic audience engagement goals.

• Migrates DSI’s marketing communications portfolio to operate as seamlessly as possible from HubSpot, creating clear workflows and processes, training new communications colleagues and users on protocols and practices.

• This role leads the build out and functional design enhancement of the Strategic Alliance’s Content Management Systems (CMS), to meet organizational mark

• Performs additional duties as assigned.

• Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree. Minimum of 4 years of related experience required, with a preference for experience in writing, copy editing, graphic design, marketing, digital marketing, presentation preparation, message development or other related fields.

• Strong interpersonal skills, and highly precise and effective written and oral communications skills. Must be flexible and able to work under pressure and with tight deadlines. Must demonstrate strong proficiency with Google Suite, Adobe Suite and other design/project management platforms (e.g. Asana).

• Positive, forward-thinking, mission-oriented attitude are essential qualities.

• Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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