• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $115,000 - $145,000

Position Summary

The Knight First Amendment Institute defends the freedoms of speech and the press in the digital age through strategic litigation, research, and public education. Our aim is to promote a system of free expression that is open and inclusive, that broadens and elevates public discourse, and that fosters creativity, accountability, and effective self-government.

Since its establishment in 2016, the Institute has filed precedent-setting litigation, undertaken major interdisciplinary research initiatives, and become an influential voice in debates about the freedoms of speech and the press in the digital age. Its active litigation docket includes cutting-edge cases relating to transparency, surveillance, and social media. Through its research program, the Institute has published a series of influential essays focused on emerging threats to the system of free expression. It has also hosted public events on new technology and public discourse, data journalism and the law, the First Amendment and inequality, whistleblowers, leaks, and national-security journalism.

The Knight Institute seeks a dynamic, seasoned media strategist with a track record of success in communications for mission-driven organizations to serve as Deputy Director of Communications, Media, and Social Media Strategy. Reporting to the Communications Director, the Deputy Director of Communications, Media, and Social Media Strategy will be responsible for expanding the Institute?s media relations and social media programs, including crafting, executing, and evaluating communications plans for the Knight Institute?s growing litigation, research, policy, and public education programs. The Deputy Director of Communications, Media and Social Media Strategy is also a key player in implementing these plans, securing and broadening media coverage of the Institute?s work, cultivating and supporting public writing and press appearances by Institute staff, guiding and overseeing the Institute?s social media presence, and identifying and securing new avenues and opportunities to elevate the Institute?s work and thought leadership.

As a small but growing organization, the Knight Institute is looking to expand its media presence and project its voice more effectively in public debates on key issues affecting the freedoms of speech and the press in the digital age. The Deputy Director of Communications, Media, and Social Media Strategy is a new position within the organization that offers a unique opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment with a small group of dedicated communications professionals and to make a mark on the Institute?s expanding public education program. It is an ideal position for a self-motivated, high-energy, and creative communications strategist who has the ability to work productively with a range of people from different disciplines, including scholars, litigators, activists, and technologists, and to connect them and their work to a wide range of audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic communications plans for Institute lawsuits, research projects, policy initiatives, media productions, and events, including earned and paid media campaigns.
• Build and maintain relationships with reporters and key media outlets, and facilitate relationships between the press and Institute spokespeople.
• Organize and manage Institute's press conferences.
• Identify and secure opportunities to elevate the Institute?s work and thought leadership.
• Oversee the work of the Institute?s Media and Social Media Manager, ensuring timely responses to media requests and follow-up with reporters.
• Prepare spokespeople for broadcast, radio, and podcast interviews.
• In coordination with the Communications Director and litigation, research, and policy staff, draft and/or edit press releases, talking points, social media posts, pitches, blog posts, op-eds, and other communications documents.
• Assist Institute staff with the drafting, editing, and placement of op-eds and other public writing.
• With the Communications Director and Deputy Director of Communications and Digital Strategy, develop and implement effective engagement and growth strategies for the Institute?s social media properties, including Bluesky, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.
• Track and analyze the effectiveness of campaigns and media outreach and identify strategies for improvement.
• Closely follow shifting legacy media, social media, and new digital media platforms and identify strategic growth opportunities for the Institute?s communications program.
• Help oversee internal communications, working with the Communications Coordinator to develop systems to track press clips, produce daily news scans, and other earned media reports as needed.
• Publish press releases, blog posts, and other content to the Institute?s website as needed.
• Provide event production and publicity support as needed.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• BA or BS is required, and 8 years of experience in media relations, journalism, and/or nonprofit communications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to draft clear, concise, and engaging copy.
• Proven track recordof  securing news and feature-length stories in major outlets.
• Established relationships with a deep roster of tech policy, media, national security, and legal reporters, among others.
• Established relationships with television, radio, and podcast bookers and a proven track record of securing interviews for spokespeople.
• Flexibility and ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently while taking initiative and working cooperatively in a team-oriented environment.
• Creative and organized problem solver.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate study or a degree in a related field.
• Deep understanding of the U.S. legal system and current free speech and tech policy debates.
• Experience working in a mission-driven nonprofit environment.
• Passionate, knowledgeable consumer of media and social media.
• Experience with MuckRack, WordPress, Mailchimp, Notion, Canva, Microsoft Office, Outlook, and Canto.

Other Requirements

To apply, please submit:

• Resume
• Cover letter explaining your interest in the position, including a description of any relevant life or work experience
• Communications portfolio comprised of two examples that showcase past strategic communications work

Additional information may be requested during the application process. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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

About Columbia University

Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions. It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.

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