Associate Director Of Public Relations

Come join our team and help tell the story of a world-class Christian liberal-arts university. As Associate Director of Public Relations you will be responsible for enhancing the university's reputation and regional and national visibility. This includes developing relationships with local, regional, and national news media and working to secure media placements. You will oversee editorial content in print, electronic, and social media formats, including oversight of a comprehensive social media plan. Fellow team leaders on the marketing team will look to you to support content marketing efforts and to ensure consistent messages to internal and external audiences. You will collaborate to provide accurate information on sensitive, confidential, and high-impact issues to the institution.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities (other duties as assigned):

• Develops and executes comprehensive media and Public Relations strategies in alignment with broader university strategies and initiatives.
• Manages day-to-day relations with key news media at local, state, and national levels, to include handling media queries, media interviews, and press conferences, preparing news releases and media kits, and promoting story lines.
• Serves as liaison between the student newspaper and the administration.
• Collaborate with key partners across the university to generate news coverage for strategic focus areas.
• Supports effective response strategies, including response to crisis situations requiring 24/7 attention and intense media/public scrutiny, and articulates the University's position via personal interviews and written responses.
• Writes, edits, reviews and assures appropriate distribution of communication/Public Relations materials that have a University-wide impact including news releases, articles, speeches, and on-line information services; may oversee production and publication of communication/Public Relations materials and related communication.
• Assist in the implementation of university crisis communications plans. Provide support and backup to the Vice President of Marketing and Communications in times of crisis - serving as designated Public Information Officer within incident command structure.
• Write and/or manage communications for the president and other executive stakeholders as needed.
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of a university database of subject matter experts and their topics of expertise.
• Monitors competitor newsrooms.
• Serves on the Emergency Management Planning team.
• Serves on the denominational (CRCNA) communications council (monthly meeting).
• Be a culturally competent employee who attends/completes mandatory diversity and inclusivity trainings as provided by the university.

Supervisory Responsibilities - Supervise 3-4 staff and possibly 1-2 students. This includes supervising the Associate Director of sports information.
Skill Requirements:

• Ability to use independent judgment and to gather, manage and impart information to the media and various other audiences.
• Experience communicating with the press and other media.
• Strong knowledge of local and regional media contacts and/or a proven ability to develop such relationships quickly.
• Advanced writing, communication, and presentation skills, to include ability to communicate effectively on-camera.
• Ability to provide effective advice and counsel on strategic and/or critical communication issues and to exercise effective judgement.
• Ability to write executive-level communications.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and standards for the management and disclosure of Public information.
• Knowledge of journalism, Public Relations and general communications principles and practices.
• Ability to investigate and analyze information and draw conclusions.
• Knowledge of electronic communications applications, including internet content management systems, and online/social media distribution channels.
• Basic knowledge of photography and the use of digital cameras.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, or other related field; at least 5 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis

Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work in this position is performed within routine office conditions, usually without exposure to hazardous or unpleasant conditions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Proofreading and checking documents for accuracy. Using a keyboard to enter, retrieve, or transform data. Closely observes monitoring devices for 2 hours or more at a time. Lifting 5 lbs or less.
REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Writing sample or links

FAITH and EDUCATIONAL COMMITMENT
1. Commitment to the educational mission of Calvin as a Christian liberal arts University affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church.
2. A commitment to the Christian faith and to the integration of faith, learning, and student development.
DIVERSITY COMMITMENT
Demonstrated awareness and commitment to effectively establishing relationships and positive communication across multiple dimensions of diversity including, but not limited to, race, gender, physical limitations, class, or religious perspectives.