1

Executive Director Of Communications Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Director of Communications works in close collaboration with the Vice President of Development and Chief of Staff. The Director of Communications will also receive ...

Director of Communications

New York, NY · On-site

$100K - $125K/yr

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Director of Communications works in close collaboration with the Vice President of Development and Chief of Staff. The Director of Communications will also receive ...

Provide strategic executive communications support, including messaging, speeches, presentations ... Include "Director of Communications - RDF" in the subject line. RDF is an equal-opportunity ...

Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills across executive, corporate, media, and ... A successful Director of Communications will: * Establish and execute an integrated communications ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Executive Director Of Communications information

See salary details

$64K

$123.3K

$191.5K

How much do executive director of communications jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for executive director of communications in the United States is $123,324.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,000.00 and $140,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an executive director of communications do?

An Executive Director of Communications is responsible for overseeing an organization's internal and external communication strategies. They manage public relations, media outreach, brand messaging, and often supervise a team of communications professionals. Their role involves ensuring consistent messaging across all platforms, handling crisis communications, and working closely with senior leadership to align communication efforts with organizational goals. They also develop and implement policies to enhance the organization's reputation and engagement with key stakeholders.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an executive director of communications?

To thrive as an Executive Director of Communications, you need expertise in strategic communication planning, public relations, and a relevant bachelor's or master's degree, often in communications, journalism, or a related field. Familiarity with media monitoring tools, content management systems, and crisis communication platforms is typical, along with experience managing large-scale campaigns. Outstanding leadership, relationship-building, and persuasive communication skills set successful candidates apart in this role. These skills are crucial for shaping organizational messaging, protecting reputation, and ensuring cohesive communication across all channels.

How does an executive director of communications typically collaborate with other departments to ensure consistent messaging across an organization?

An Executive Director of Communications regularly works with leaders from marketing, HR, operations, and executive teams to align messaging and maintain brand consistency. They often facilitate cross-departmental meetings and develop communication plans that incorporate input from various stakeholders. This collaborative approach ensures that internal and external communications support organizational goals and reflect a unified voice, which is critical for maintaining credibility and trust with audiences.

What is the difference between Executive Director Of Communications vs Communications Director?

AspectExecutive Director Of CommunicationsCommunications Director
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or related field; often prefers advanced degrees and extensive experienceRequires a bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, or related field; experience varies
Work EnvironmentExecutive-level, strategic planning, overseeing entire communications department, often in non-profit or large organizationsOperational role, managing day-to-day communications activities, media relations, and content creation
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in non-profits, government agencies, large corporationsUsed across various industries, including corporate, non-profit, and government

In summary, the Executive Director Of Communications holds a higher strategic and leadership role, overseeing the entire communications function, while the Communications Director focuses on managing daily communications activities and media relations. Both roles require strong communication skills but differ in scope and seniority.

More about Executive Director Of Communications jobs

What cities are hiring for Executive Director Of Communications jobs?

Cities with the most Executive Director Of Communications job openings:

What states have the most Executive Director Of Communications jobs?

States with the most job openings for Executive Director Of Communications jobs include:

Infographic showing various Executive Director Of Communications job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,324 per year, or $59.3 per hour.

Executive Director of Communications

New York, NY • On-site

Columbia University
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 201 - 500 employees

$160K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

  • Job Type: Officer of Administration
  • Regular/Temporary: Regular
  • Hours Per Week: 35
  • Salary Range: $160,000 - $200,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
The Columbia University School of General Studies (GS) is the finest liberal arts college in the United States dedicated to making Ivy League education accessible to nontraditional students. GS was founded in 1947 with the mission of expanding access to elite higher education, and it remains the most diverse college in the Ivy League, with many transfer, first-generation, and international students. GS students are fully integrated with Columbia's broader undergraduate population and are taught by Columbia's celebrated faculty.
Responsibilities
  • The Executive Director has oversight of strategic marketing efforts for Columbia GS, involving collaboration with relevant stakeholders to develop and implement targeted marketing strategies aligned with the overall communication plan for the School of General Studies.
  • Oversees planning, executing, and managing print and online communication efforts for the School of General Studies. Responsibilities include research, conceptualization, planning, execution, and supervision of the GS publications' campaign. Additionally, the Executive Director assumes a supervisory role of the teams responsible for editing and production of all existing GS marketing materials and offers overall project management for future publications.
  • Managing public relations activities on behalf of the senior team and department heads is a key responsibility. This involves acting as the primary liaison to the Office of Communications and Public Affairs and overseeing all external media relations for Columbia GS, including responding to inquiries and pitching media. The Executive Director serves as the main spokesperson for the school on all media matters.
  • Oversight of the School's admissions marketing efforts falls within the Executive Director's purview. This includes managing the team that plans all marketing efforts for the School and the relationship with outside vendors, advertising agencies, design firms, writers, graphic illustrators, and other third-party contractors working on behalf of Columbia GS to support communication and marketing efforts. The executive director is responsible for directing and supervising a multi-million dollar media plan for the School of General Studies, managing communication staff, and formulating strategies for advertising and marketing activities. The Executive Director works closely with the Enrollment Management Team at GS to plan and execute a fully integrated marketing program.
  • Responsible for maintaining GS's online and social media presence, the Executive Director oversees the site design and information architecture of the suite of GS websites, consistently monitoring and reporting on engagement rates to inform content strategy. This role extends to planning and executing new technology initiatives related to the GS website or GS technology plan. Participation in the vendor selection process for the back-end maintenance, design, and support of the GS website is also part of the Executive Director's responsibilities.
  • The Executive Director works closely with the Vice Dean and Deputy Chief of Staff in executive communications for the Dean and Vice Dean, contributing to developing impactful messages and speeches. This includes researching, analyzing, and crafting communication materials that reflect the Dean's vision and objectives. The Executive Director ensures a consistent and authentic executive voice, providing media training and coordinating logistics for high-profile engagements to enhance the Dean's public presence. The Executive Director remains attuned to current events, industry trends, and academic developments, incorporating relevant information into executive communications to maintain the Dean's relevance and thought leadership. This proactive approach ensures that the Dean's messages align with the broader discourse within academia and related fields.
  • Proficiently managing crisis communications within the Dean's office, the Executive Director strategically formulates and implements communication plans to address unforeseen challenges, ensuring timely and effective responses. This includes coordinating with relevant stakeholders, crafting crisis messaging, and guiding the Dean and senior leadership through sensitive situations to uphold the school's reputation and integrity.
  • The Executive Director will also play a leading role in the redesign and maintenance of the Columbia GS staff intranet, collaborating with members of the Operations and HR teams to increase engagement and utilization.

Minimum Qualifications
  • A Bachelor's degree is required, along with 8 to 10 years of related experience.
  • Familiarity with CRM platforms (Salesforce, Slate, etc.) and related email marketing tools (Marketing Cloud, Mailchimp, etc.) new and emerging web technologies, social media platforms, and analytics tools (Google Analytics, Hootsuite, etc.), is essential.
  • The Executive Director must possess excellent communication skills, demonstrated successful leadership, and administrative/supervisory experience.
  • Thorough organization, goal orientation, persistence, and patience are crucial, along with the ability to work effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
  • A demonstrated ability to collaborate with senior-level staff of academic and administrative divisions, handle multiple priorities, and lead team efforts is essential.
  • Exceptional written and oral presentation skills are required, and applicants must submit writing samples or a portfolio with their application.
  • The ability to handle confidential information with discretion is a key requirement.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.