"Program Manager, Brown Institute for Media Innovation"

Position Summary

The Brown Institute for Media Innovation at Columbia Journalism School supports the transformation of storytelling through novel developments and applications of technology. We engage alumni, students, faculty, and staff from across the University, lowering the barriers to computational approaches in journalism. We also serve a wider public by awarding nearly $1M annually in grants and fellowships to foster groundbreaking journalism and technology projects.

The Program Manager plays a key role in advancing Brown’s mission by supporting our grantees and fellows, from recruiting to project completion, ensuring that they have what they need to succeed, that we effectively monitor project deliverables, and that the innovative work they produce is highlighted in our reports and publications. Day-to-day, this means managing operations, grant and fellowship processes, coordinating events, and driving communications strategies.

The Manager works closely with the institute directors, internal and external partners, and event collaborators to create and sustain vibrant programming throughout the academic year – these programs being part of Brown’s outreach strategy to recruit grantees and fellows.

This is a full-time, 35-hour/week position that requires a majority (at least three days per week) in-office presence on the Columbia University campus in Morningside Heights.

Responsibilities

Operations & Administration

• Manage and maintain accurate records and data related to program participation, grants, and fellowships; assist with completion of annual reports and other documentation.
• Manage calendars, coordinate meetings, and ensure smooth day-to-day workflow for the institute directors and staff.
• Responsible for drafting correspondence, processing reimbursements, and managing office inventory.

Program & Event Coordination

• Organize and execute institute events, such as workshops, seminars, conferences, and roundtable discussions.
• Manage event logistics (e.g., scheduling, speaker invitations, vendor services, budgeting, on-site support), including events that may occasionally occur during evenings or weekends.
• Liaise with co-hosting organizations, guest speakers, and internal University departments to ensure seamless planning and execution.

Communications & Branding

• Develop and maintain a robust social media presence and manage the Brown Institute website, showcasing new initiatives, upcoming events, and grantee achievements.
• Oversee the creation and distribution of promotional materials (digital and print) and maintain consistent branding across platforms.
• Compile content for newsletters, annual reports, and institute publications, highlighting the journalism and technology innovations emerging from our grants and fellowships.

Other

• Build strong relationships with faculty, staff, and external stakeholders to expand the institute’s network and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Collaborate with the directors and other team members on special projects or new initiatives, identifying opportunities to improve existing processes, designing new solutions, and stepping into leadership roles as new projects emerge.
• Seek out opportunities to enhance your technical skills in media innovation and program coordination; regularly contribute fresh ideas and insights to shape and strengthen the institute’s programming and content.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent related experience required.
• Experience: Minimum 3-5 years’ related experience.
• Other: Demonstrated ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly, with excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills. Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to interact effectively with stakeholders at all levels. Proactive and collaborative mindset, with the judgment to handle shifting priorities. This includes interdisciplinary collaboration. Comfortable learning and using new software and technology. Ability to adopt a proactive mindset when anticipating and solving problems. Ability to remain composed in a fast-paced setting, excel at turning challenges into opportunities for growth, and thrive in a mission-driven environment where working with a small team allows you to see the immediate impact of your efforts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Previous project management experience.
• Interest and awareness of the importance of journalism.