Assistant Director, Media Relations

FORDHAM University; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Fordham University in New York seeks an Assistant Director, Media Relations to elevate the university’s reputation by guiding media engagement and securing coverage worldwide. Reporting to the Director, this role writes and pitches news releases, develops faculty stories, and maintains media contacts while collaborating with the Social Media Manager and crisis communications team as needed.

The position is based at Lincoln Center with a hybrid schedule and requires a bachelor’s degree and at

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3+ years of media relations experience.
• Strong news writing and pitching abilities; proven media placements.
• Proficiency with MAC, Microsoft Office; familiarity with WordPress and media-monitoring tools.

Responsibilities

• Assists the Director with implementing the University communications plan through a comprehensive media relations program to enhance worldwide institutional recognition.
• Promotes and pitches Fordham’s good news to national, local, and international news media.
• Writes and edits copy for news releases as well as Fordham’s internal and external publications.
• Develops and writes news stories highlighting faculty expertise on timely topics involving research, business, and the liberal arts and sciences.
• Identifies and cultivates targeted media contacts. Contributes to and maintains media contact and faculty experts’ databases.
• Compiles a list of weekly media mentions and disseminates a weekly newsletter to a targeted constituency.
• Supports faculty members in editing byliners and op-eds.
• Helps update faculty experts’ web pages and web listings of the University President’s media placements.
• Works with Social Media Manager to promote placements and expand social outreach to media.
• Attends University events and facilitates media access to campus events and facilities.

Skills

Media relations

News writing

Pitching

MAC platform

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

WordPress

Media-monitoring software

Job description

About Fordham

Founded in 1841, Fordham is the Jesuit University of New York, offering an exceptional education distinguished by the Jesuit tradition to more than 16,000 students in its nine colleges and schools. It has residential campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, a campus in West Harrison, N.Y., the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk, N.Y., and the London Centre in the United Kingdom.

Position Details

Position Information

About Fordham

Founded in 1841, Fordham is the Jesuit University of New York, offering an exceptional education distinguished by the Jesuit tradition to more than 16,000 students in its nine colleges and schools. It has residential campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, a campus in West Harrison, N.Y., the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk, N.Y., and the London Centre in the United Kingdom.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement plans; life insurance; short and long-term disability; employee assistance program ( EAP ); tuition remission; and generous time off.

Successful candidates should have a knowledge of and commitment to the goals of Jesuit Education.

Title of Position

Assistant Director, Media Relations

Position Number

A09165

FLSA

Exempt

Scheduled Hours Per Week

35

Department

Marketing and Communications

Campus

Lincoln Center

Work Arrangement

Hybrid

Hybrid Policy

Please review the Hybrid Policy at www.fordham.edu/hybridpolicy.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Media Relations, Deputy University Spokesperson, the Assistant Director, Media Relations works to elevate Fordham’s reputation by responding to media inquiries in a timely manner. The role also identifies newsworthy events, research, and features, and proactively pitches to appropriate media outlets.

Essential Functions

• Assists the Director with implementing the University communications plan through a comprehensive media relations program to enhance worldwide institutional recognition.
• Promotes and pitches Fordham’s good news to national, local, and international news media.
• Writes and edits copy for news releases as well as Fordham’s internal and external publications.
• Develops and writes news stories highlighting faculty expertise on timely topics involving research, business, and the liberal arts and sciences.
• Identifies and cultivates targeted media contacts. Contributes to and maintains media contact and faculty experts’ databases.
• Compiles a list of weekly media mentions and disseminates a weekly newsletter to a targeted constituency.
• Supports faculty members in editing byliners and op-eds.
• Helps update faculty experts’ web pages and web listings of the University President’s media placements.
• Works with Social Media Manager to promote placements and expand social outreach to media.
• Attends University events and facilitates media access to campus events and facilities.

Essential Functions Note

This list is not intended to be an exhaustive list. The University may assign additional related duties as necessary.

Management Responsibilities

Not responsible for supervision or oversight of others.

Additional Functions

Works in conjunction with outside PR firm as needed. Participates as a member of the crisis communications team requiring on-call emergency status.

Required Qualifications: Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree.

Minimum Of 3 Years Of Media Relations Experience.

Required Qualifications: Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated media placement ability.
• Strong news writing and pitching skills.
• Working knowledge of MAC platform and the Microsoft Office suite.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using media-monitoring software.
• Experience with WordPress.

Minimum Starting Salary

$75,000

Maximum Starting Salary

$88,000

Qualifications

Note

Salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience, and skills.

Is this a Union position?

No

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number A1170P

Number of Vacancies 1

Start Date ASAP

Posting Date 10/23/2026

Special Instructions

EEO Statement

Fordham University is committed to excellence and welcomes candidates of all backgrounds.

Fordham University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.