Media Crisis Manager

Job Summary

Supports the planning and execution of strategic communications for the university community and stakeholders. Manages and coordinates the university's news and media team by overseeing public relations efforts that raise awareness and boost the university's reputation. Handles media inquiries, manages the team, and gathers and writes news content for the university's various media outlets. Supervises the media relations team and plays a key role on the university's crisis communication team.

Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Leads and directs daily activities of the communications team to ensure content aligns with the mission and strategic vision of the university
2. Serves as the main point of contact for the University's membership in The Conversation and develops a sustainable plan to support and encourage faculty participation
3. Maintains key areas of the university website to ensure information is kept current (About KSU, Rankings, Points of Pride)
4. Prepares stories and press releases for media and web distribution
5. Maintains media relationships and accurate and current media contact lists
6. Maintains the university experts' database, keeping it current
7. Drives team projects to completion with project management of deadlines, deliverables, and multiple constituencies
8. Coordinates with supervisor and members of staff for consistency of messaging and timely distribution of materials
9. Oversees media activities, elaborates on promoting the university and colleges, and works with the team to secure local, regional, and national media placements
10. Manages vendor relationships and services such as media monitoring, database, Expert File, and Newswise
11. Remains competent and current through professional reading, developing professional contacts, and attending professional development courses and/or training directed by the Assistant Vice President of Communications

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in Communications, Marketing, Corporate Communications, or a related field.

Other Required Qualifications
Current, valid, and unrestricted driver's license

Required Experience
Five (5) years of experience in the related field