Communications Officer

Position description

SUMMARY

Reporting to the Executive Director of the Weatherhead East Asian Institute (WEAI), the Communications Offer is responsible for the overall communication and public relations of the Institute.  

WEAI  is a hub for the study of modern and contemporary East, Southeast, and Inner Asia at Columbia University.  It is an integrated center for research and teaching.  The Institute brings together faculty, research scholars, and students from across the university, and advances knowledge and understanding of the region through academics, research programs, renowned publications series, and a robust calendar of public events.

DUTIES

• Works with staff and faculty to increase the Institute’s academic and research profiles.
• Oversees publication of the Annual Report, Institute’s reports, and other written content.
• Manages and monitors the Institute’s annual public relations budget.
• Designs and implements an annual strategic plan for public relations and social media, and provides guidance to staff and faculty to meet the Institute’s public relations objectives, in conformity with the University’s public relations policies.
• Serves as the Institute’s primary contact for the press and members of the public and maintains a cooperative working relationship with related University offices.
• Oversees and is responsible for the content and design of the Institute’s website and other public interfaces, including eNewsletters, display boxes, noticeboards, and appropriate representation in scholarly and professional directories and journals.
• Responsible for the production/writing and distribution of press releases, news articles, videos, slide decks, and publicity materials relating to all aspects of the Institute’s programming, and will participate in planning and implementation with faculty and staff to ensure that programs and projects are appropriately represented in the public domain.
• Oversees annual budgeting, data collection, write-up, editing, photography, publication, and circulation of Institute publications.  This includes the Annual Report, REED magazine, and related Institute reports. corresponds with authors, reads manuscripts, contacts editors and reviewers for distribution of manuscripts, circulates reviews, and works with production personnel at the presses for the Studies of the East Asian Institute monograph series.
• Acts as liaison with faculty, authors, and the editors at Columbia University Press to produce “The Asia Perspectives” and the “Weatherhead Books on Asia”.  Edits, produces and oversees circulation of the series.
• Develops and maintains a strong network of press, media, and publishing contacts; manages the Institute’s mailing lists; and organizes, develops, and maintains the Institute’s historical archives, including the editing and appropriate storage of documents, images, photographs, articles, and materials of historical value about the Institute and its work.
• Manages website and digital media content using WordPress, InDesign, and related tools; tracks analytics for social and digital media platforms; and selects, trains, and supervises student assistants.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent and two years of related experience.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Prior experience in public relations, communications, publishing, or journalism.
• Knowledge of East Asian regional/public affairs.
• Experience with graphic design.
• Experience with desktop publishing programs, photo and video editing software, and a good understanding of web and HTML architecture.

Application instructions

Cover letter and resume required for full consideration.