Variable Hours Officer (Graduate Student Life Communications Advisor)

Variable Hours Officer (Graduate Student Life Communications Advisor)

The one-year Variable Hours Officer (Graduate Student Life Communications Advisor) supports the Columbia Engineering Office of Engineering Student Affairs by leading and executing communications efforts that promote graduate student life initiatives, programs, and resources.

This role is responsible for creating engaging, student-centered content across multiple platforms, including digital, print, and social media, to enhance awareness, participation, and community among graduate students. Provides hands-on experience in strategic communications, digital marketing, graphic design, and storytelling.

Responsibilities

Graduate Student Life (50%):

• Support the development and maintenance of Graduate Student Life branding and messaging.
• Develop and manage weekly Graduate Student Life newsletters, including content planning, drafting, and distribution.
• Support communications for major graduate student milestones, including Welcome Day (Orientation), Graduate Class Day, and the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony (graduation), through the creation and distribution of targeted newsletters and messaging.
• Track engagement metrics and assist in evaluating the effectiveness of communication efforts.
• Design basic marketing assets, including flyers, graphics, and presentations, using established templates and brand guidelines.
• Collaborate with campus partners and other stakeholders to promote programs, events, and resources.
• Oversee and manage the web pages for Columbia Engineering Graduate Student Life.

Engineering Student Affairs (30%):

• Supports designated Columbia Engineering MS programs, including the MSAI and MBAxMS programs, by assisting with student onboarding, course registration, academic advising, and community building initiatives.
• Create electronic and print graphics to guide students to a comprehensive overview of the MSAI and MBAxMS curricular requirements.
• Provide general communications support for events, initiatives, and special projects as needed.
• Create, edit, and publish content on the Columbia Engineering social media platforms.
• Manage communications of events, initiatives, and resources on the CampusGroups platform; will serve as one of the liaisons between Columbia Engineering and Campus Groups.
• Support the Assistant Dean of Engineering Student Affairs in community-building initiatives for MSAI students, including organizing and leading events, running student town halls, and meeting with MSAI student leaders to identify initiatives to enhance the MSAI student experience.
• Serve as a first point of contact for prospective and newly admitted MSAI students by responding to inquiries via email and phone, meeting with walk-in students, providing on-site support at recruitment and onboarding events, and routing complex questions to the appropriate staff or faculty.
• Support the yield communications strategy for the MSAI program in collaboration with Engineering Student Affairs and the Graduate Admissions Office.
• Support yield and recruitment efforts for both the MSAI and the MBAxMS programs by creating marketing and communications content for prospective and newly admitted students.

Professional Development and Leadership (15%):

• Support the use of consistent branding and communications protocols for PDL and ESA.
• Advertise, market, and communicate PDL's offerings to students, prospective students, and other constituents, including through the marketing office and student group events.
• Assist the web pages for Professional Development and Leadership.
• Grade required student assignments as part of the PDL core curriculum.
• Staff occasional PDL workshops as needed.

Performs other tasks, duties, and responsibilities as assigned (5%).

Minimum Qualifications

• Up to 2yrs. of related experience
• Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent experience required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and analytical skills
• Effective time and project management - ability to adapt to changing conditions
• Ability to work nights and/or weekend hours as needed to cover events/programs
• Experience with/or comfortable with speaking in front of groups
• Positive, mission-oriented, forward-thinking attitude and sense of humor a must.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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