Assistant Director, Science, Arts and Humanities

Drexel University; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 62,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

Drexel University is seeking an Assistant Director for Science, Arts, and Humanities to enhance media relations and generate impactful news coverage. This role involves coordinating outreach efforts, building strong relationships with media professionals, and developing content highlighting the University's mission and achievements. The position is primarily on-campus but offers hybrid options, fostering a collaborative environment to elevate Drexel's presence in local and national media.

Benefits

Generous vacation and paid time off

Up to 11% 403(b) Retirement Plan match

Remote and flexible work options

Free tuition for faculty and dependents

Qualifications

• Minimum of Bachelor's Degree required.
• 4 years of full-time experience in media relations necessary.
• Subject matter expertise in media practices important.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate media outreach and generate content for news-related activities.
• Cultivate relationships with journalists and media outlets.
• Assist in crisis communications as needed.

Skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Excellent listening

Editing

News-gathering

Interpersonal skills

Relationship management skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in journalism, public relations or communications

Job description

Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a world‐class, comprehensive, R1 research institution and a global leader in experiential education. For more than 100 years, our renowned Cooperative Education (co-op) program has enabled students to gain professional work experience before they graduate, setting them apart from their peers.

Committed to becoming the nation’s most civically engaged university, Drexel supports engagement along three dimensions: research and academic programs that directly benefit communities, business practices that support equitable local and regional economic development, and public service by students, faculty, and staff. Our engagement is long‐term, multigenerational, and fundamental to the University’s mission, heritage, and future.

At Drexel, we are devoted to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment that promotes healthy lifestyles and is based on integrity, trust, and respect. We center equity, inclusion and belonging, and incorporate an anti‐racism approach to our strategic plan, organizational systems, policies and structures.

Drexel offers its highly engaged faculty and professional staff a comprehensive and world‐class benefits package that includes generous vacation and paid time off as applicable (including civic engagement days), up to an 11% 403(b) Retirement Plan match with immediate vesting, and remote and flexible work options for many roles. Our exceptional medical plans include domestic partner and fertility assistance and our award‐winning A Healthier U wellness program. In addition, faculty and professionalstaff at Drexel enjoy free tuition for themselves and their dependents for Drexel degree programs, certification, and non‐certification programs. And as part of the tuition offering to employees, Drexel participates in a tuition exchange program for dependents with other higher education institutions. These are just a sample of our extensive benefit offerings. Please see this Benefits Brochure for more information.

Suspension of Drexel University's Contribution into 403(b) Retirement Plan

As communicated on Oct. 10, Drexel University is suspending its contributions to employee retirement plans for calendar year 2025 as part of its multi-year plan to build financial resilience. Drexel is continuing to monitor the situation and will share updates as they become available for calendar year 2026.

Assistant Director, Science, Arts and Humanities

Apply now Job no: 505192
Work type: Full-Time
Location: University City - Philadelphia, PA
Categories: Drexel University, University Marketing and Communications

Job Summary

The Assistant Director works as part of a team of news managers that reports to the Executive Director of News & Media Relations and supports the team’s efforts to generate a high level of media coverage and increasing awareness of the University’s mission, programs, and initiatives and general image to external audiences via coverage in local, regional and national print, broadcast and online media. Assistant Director is responsible for spotting news trends and coordinating media outreach related to newsworthy happenings within (but not limited to) Drexel’s Kline School of Law, School of Education, Goodwin College of Professional Studies, Pennoni Honors College, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, the College of Arts and Sciences and Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design.

The Assistant Director assists the Executive Director of News & Media Relations in spotting news trends and identifying and researching story ideas. Assistant Director leverages both traditional and social media channels, cultivates relationships with key journalists and media outlets, pitches stories, cultivates and promotes faculty experts and responds effectively to media requests. The Assistant Director also generates and publishes a high-volume of content for a central news website, a news blog and other online and print promotional material, as it pertains to media relations, and assists in keeping track of Drexel media placements.

The Assistant Director will support crisis communications as needed when it relates to areas within the assigned beats and may be required to assist with issues in other areas when appropriate. This is a hybrid position, working primarily on-campus.

Under the newly minted Division of University Marketing & Communications, the Office of Strategic Communications ensures an integrated pipeline of brand journalism, internal communications and media outreach content that collectively lays the foundation for the University’s overall marketing and branding strategies. The Office of Strategic Communications is also responsible for leading the University’s crisis communications response. The group comprises three collaborative teams: Internal Communications and Publications, News and Media Relations, and Executive Communications.

The Internal Communications and Publications team deploys owned media in both traditional and digital channels and a data-driven understanding of Drexel’s audiences to create cohesive storytelling that highlights Drexel’s academic strengths and research, while emphasizing the value and potential of the experiential education model. The News and Media Relations team elevates brand and reputational awareness of Drexel University by highlighting faculty expertise and promoting newsworthy stories to mainstream news media. The team works with deans and other senior University leaders to translate and communicate academic, research, service accomplishments and faculty expertise shared with the University community to the general public via news media. Executive Communications positions key administrators as thought leaders through opinion pieces, raises the University’s profile through presidential speaking engagements and appearances, and ensures a timely and responsive voice of leadership.

Collectively, the Office of University Marketing & Communications employs a collaborative group of 70+ professionals who handle media relations, social media, internal and alumni communications, graphic and web design, and marketing.

Essential Functions

• Work effectively, both as member of dynamic and diverse team, as well as individually, on time-sensitive projects that require collaboration with stakeholders throughout the university.
• Build and maintain relationships across the campus community with key communications staff and faculty experts.
• Identify news trends and research story ideas, identify and pitch stories to appropriate journalists and media outlets.
• Prepare media relations materials, including press releases, media advisories, blog posts and social media content, for online outreach to media and external audiences through Drexel's news website, news blog and social media channels.
• Modify and share media relations content for use in Drexel’s online and print marketing and promotional materials, including an alumni magazine, a research magazine and various e-newsletters.
• Build and maintain relationships with journalists and producers
• Assist in monitoring and moderating Drexel News X account.
• Assist with the production and editing of a summary of media placements for e-newsletter to senior administrators and trustees highlighting news in higher education and Drexel media placements.
• Pitch faculty experts to reporters for commentary and expertise on current events.
• Help with media training for faculty experts and university representatives, and provide assistance with interview preparation as needed.
• Contribute to creating and maintaining media profiles for faculty that are available online for reporters to view a history of media commentary by faculty and stories/news releases about their research.
• Respond to media requests on a tight deadline.
• Help maintain a record of media placements and produce media coverage reports as part of Office’s regular reporting to college/school deans.
• Check messages for urgent media requests submitted on evenings and weekends.
• Work nights and weekends when appropriate for events promoted, crisis communications support or urgent media requests.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of Bachelor's Degree in journalism, public relations or communications or the equivalent combination of education and work experience. Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.
• Minimum of 4 years of full-time experience working in media relations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent listening, editing, news-gathering and interpersonal skills.
• Possess subject matter expertise, including thorough knowledge of media practices.
• Proven ability to pitch stories to journalists.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once and perform under pressure.
• Ability to manage challenging situations, working toward a solution, while maintaining a positive attitude and confidentiality.
• Strong relationship management skills.
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of best practices in social media as they relate to media relations.
• Experience in planning media events.

Location

• University City - Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information
This position is classified as Exempt, grade L. Compensation for this grade ranges from$62,630 -$93,950per year. Please note that the offered rate for thisposition typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on thesuccessful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.

Drexel University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that welcomes individuals from diverse and neurodiverse backgrounds and perspectives, and believes that an inclusive and respectful environment enriches the University community and the educational and employment experience of its members. The University prohibits discrimination against individuals on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, status as a veteran or special disabled veteran, gender identity or expression, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions and any other prohibited characteristic. Please visit our Policies page to view all University policies related to Human Resources and News and Announcements for workplace postings.

Background investigations are required for all new hires as a condition of employment, after the job offer is made.

Drexel University, in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) publishes the Drexel University Security & Fire Safety Annual Report for current and prospective students and employees. This report contains important safety information and crime statistics for the previous three years. These statistics pertain to reported crimes that have occurred on campus, in certain non-campus buildings or properties that are owned or controlled by Drexel University, and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus.

Printed copies of this report are also available by calling the Public Safety Administrative Office, 215.895.1550.

Additional information about the services provided by the Drexel University Department of Public Safety can be obtained by visiting their website.

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