Director, Media Relations

William & Mary; United States; On-site; USD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

William & Mary seeks a Director of Media Relations to lead regional and local media engagement efforts, working with university leadership to promote the university’s national preeminence. The role coordinates university-wide promotional efforts and serves as the primary link to press across communications fronts.

You will pitch stories and faculty experts to news outlets, manage media requests, and advance the university’s reputation through earned, digital, and emerging media strategies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism or communications or equivalent education/experience.
• 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in media relations or strategic communications.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Excellent understanding of all primary media channels, including broadcast, digital and print.
• Experience serving as a media spokesperson for a complex organization.
• Ability to write and edit quickly and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of AP and media industry standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead regional and local media engagement efforts for William & Mary.
• Pitch stories and faculty experts to news outlets and coordinate university-wide promotional efforts.
• Serve as the primary link to press and media on all communications fronts.
• Advance the university's reputation through integrated earned, digital, and emerging media strategies.

Skills

Media relations experience

Oral and written communication

Media spokesperson experience

Deadline-driven writing/editing

MS Office knowledge

AP knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism/communications or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Requisition: JR102130 Director, Media Relations (Open)

Job Posting Title: Director, Media Relations

Department: CC00253 WM001 | WMUA | University Communications

Job Family: Staff - Communications

Worker Sub-Type: Regular (benefited)

Job Requisition Primary Location: Discovery 2

Primary Job Posting Location: Posting Location - William & Mary

Job Description Summary:

Mission Statement

In the Office of University Advancement, we create the conditions for opportunity - human, financial, & experiential - by garnering and stewarding the resources that advance William & Mary.

Position Summary

The Director of Media Relations leads regional and local media engagement efforts for William & Mary, working directly with university leadership, the President's Executive Leadership Team, Cabinet. and the Office of Public Safety. Housed in the office of university communications, the Director promotes William & Mary's national preeminence by pitching stories and faculty subject matter experts to news outlets, serving as the primary link to the press and media on all communications fronts and coordinates university-wide promotional efforts, while advancing the university's reputation through integrated earned, digital, and emerging media strategies. This position reports to the Executive Director of Media Relations in the Office of University Communications and carries accountability for outcomes.

About the University

Founded by Royal Charter in 1693, William & Mary is America's first university. The Alma Mater of the Nation brings together the breadth of a public liberal arts and sciences education with the innovation of a preeminent global research university. Here, curiosity deepens into wisdom, shaping lives of meaning, distinction and purposeful impact. For more than 300 years, the university has convened great minds and hearts to meet the most pressing needs of our time.

About the Team

The Office of University Communications serves as the central communications office for the university. Within University Communications, the Media Relations team leads the university's crisis communication response, is responsible for media and other filming requests on campus, serves as the primary link to press and media on all communications fronts, provides media training and, in collaboration with the Content & Strategy and Web Development & Strategy, coordinates university-wide promotional efforts. The office also works to promote and celebrate the work of faculty, staff and students and to promote the overall vision, mission and brand of William & Mary.

Salary

$75,000 to $80,000, commensurate with experience and internal alignment.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or a related field or equivalent combination of education or experience.
• Significant, progressively responsible experience in media relations, strategic communications, issue management or related work (typically 7 to 10 years).
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Excellent understanding of all primary media channels, including broadcast, digital and print.
• Experience serving as a media spokesperson for a complex organization.
• Ability to write and edit quickly and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the latest Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
• Knowledge of AP