Job Details
Position Summary:
The Public Relations Specialist supports the University's media relations and strategic communications efforts to advance institutional reputation, elevate academic visibility, and promote faculty and staff expertise. This position will Manage and/or support media outreach initiatives, contribute to strategic communications efforts, oversee select digital communication assets, and tack performance metrics related to media engagement and communications impact. Reporting to the Senior Director,…
Media Relations & Strategic Communications and working in close collaboration with the Media Relations Manager, the specialist helps secure media opportunities and develop compelling storytelling opportunities that strengthen the University's public profile and support institutional priorities.
Job Duties:
Media Relations (65%)
- Develop, write, edit, and distribute media releases, pitches, advisories, and related communications materials to support University initiatives, research, faculty expertise, and institutional priorities.
- Cultivate and maintain positive working relationships with national, trade, regional, and local media contacts.
- Support proactive media pitching efforts that increase awareness of university programs, achievements, research, and subject matter experts.
- Monitor, track, and report key media relations and communications metrics, including media placements, engagement, reach, and other performance indicators.
- Manage and/or support digital communications assets, including newsroom content, media resources, online press materials, editorial calendar, and related platforms.
Strategic Communications Support (35%)
- Assist with strategic communications planning and execution for institutional announcements, initiatives, and events.
- Provide communications support during crisis, emergencies, and sensitive messaging situations, as needed, including social listening.
- Collaborate with colleagues across the communications division, as well as academic and administrative units to identify and promote compelling stories and media opportunities.
- Support various internal communications efforts, as needed.
Qualifications:
Knowledge, skills & ability
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Experience writing press releases, media pitches, and digital content.
- Familiarity with crisis and strategic communications principles and practices.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Familiarity with media monitoring and analytics tools.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain professionalism in sensitive or high-pressure situations.
- Knowledge of AP Style, Adobe Creative Cloud, and best practices in media relations.
Education & experience:
- Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, marketing, or a related field.
- 3+ years of professional experience in public relations, media relations, or strategic communications.
- Preferred: Experience in higher education or nonprofit communications.
Work Schedule:
- Full-time; Exempt position
- 8:30AM-5:00PM, however, this position is subject to occasional on-call status and emergency response.
Pay Structure:
Grade 6 ($50,461 to $66,851 annually)
Organization
Working at University of Richmond
Founded in 1830, the University of Richmond is one of America's premier private universities. The University blends the intimacy of a small college with exceptional academic, research, and cultural opportunities usually found only at large institutions. A nationally ranked liberal arts university, Richmond offers a unique combination of undergraduate and graduate programs through its schools of arts and sciences, business, leadership studies, law, and continuing studies. The 350-acre suburban campus, including a 10-acre lake, is consistently cited by The Princeton Review as one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation.
With approximately 3,000 undergraduate students, Richmond offers 55 majors, 42 minors, and 12 concentrations at the bachelor's level. Graduate students can choose from six master's degrees programs, an MBA program, a juris doctorate, and six dual-degree programs in law. Continuing studies options include programs at the associate, bachelor, and master levels, in addition to numerous non-credit offerings.
Richmond faculty members are outstanding leaders in their fields. Of the 312 full-time faculty at the University, 98 percent hold doctorate or terminal degrees. Richmond has a student-faculty ratio of 9:1, with zero classes taught by teaching assistants. Our faculty members are in the classrooms and the labs, working closely with students to maximize their educational experiences.
U.S. News & World Report ranked Richmond one of the best liberal arts universities in the nation and in the top 35 for undergraduate research. BusinessWeek ranked The Robins School of Business in the top 20 nationally and fourth for academic quality, as well as among the top 15 part-time MBA programs. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine named Richmond in the top 25 for best value among private colleges and universities
As locals like to say, Richmond is "easy to love" because of its rich history, stunning architecture, natural beauty and quality of life. It's been named one of the top cities in which to live and work by numerous national sources, including Forbes magazine. As the capital of Virginia, Richmond is home to the state legislature, a growing number of Fortune 500 companies and industries ranging from finance to agriculture. In fact, Forbes also recently ranked Richmond as the sixth best city to get a job in the U.S. Nearly one million people live in the Greater Richmond region and enjoy an array of cultural opportunities including 35 museums; numerous theatre companies; a symphony, a ballet and an opera; a thriving public forum; three professional, minor-league sports teams; a coliseum for major concerts and sporting events; and much more. Located just 100 miles south of Washington, D.C., Richmond is only 90 minutes from Virginia's beaches and 90 minutes from the spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains.
UR is committed to developing a diverse faculty, staff and student body, and to modeling an inclusive campus community which values the expression of differences in ways that promote excellence in teaching, learning, personal development and institutional success. In keeping with this commitment, our academic community welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds and candidates who support diversity. EOE
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