Media Relations Specialist

Kennesaw State University; Kennesaw (GA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Kennesaw State University seeks a Media Relations Specialist to support day-to-day management of an aggressive media relations program. You will develop, review and edit communications before release, and build networks with regional and national media to boost coverage of key college programs.

As a primary media contact, you will guide colleges and stakeholders on media activities, pitch stories, and coordinate news releases to advance the university's strategic initiatives and reputation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a related field.
• Minimum three years of experience in Journalism, Broadcasting, Public Relations, Communication, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with leadership to develop and implement aggressive media relations strategies.
• Provide guidance on media activities such as story pitches and news releases distribution.
• Edit and review communications materials for media readiness and accuracy.
• Write and distribute news stories, statements, and other materials for broad coverage.
• Manage campaigns in assigned areas and produce regular reports on progress.
• Identify media contacts locally, nationally, and internationally to increase coverage of university initiatives.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Time management

Project management

Media relations

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Media Relations Specialist - Job ID: 302400

Location: Kennesaw, Georgia

Full/Part Time: Full Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

About Us

Are you ready to transform lives throughacademic excellence, innovative research, strong communitypartnerships and economic opportunity? Kennesaw State University isone of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. Withgrowing enrollment and global reach, we continue to expand ourinstitutional influence and prominence beyond the state of Georgia.We offer more than 190 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoraldegrees to empower over 50,000 students to become thought leaders,lifelong learners, and informed global citizens. Ourentrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division Iathletics draw students from throughout the region and from morethan 100 countries across the globe. Our university's vibrantculture, career opportunities,rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, andaccountability make us an employer of choice. We are part ofthe University System of Georgia. We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision. Come TakeFlight at KSU!

Location

(Primary Location for JobResponsibilities) Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144.

Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 SouthMarietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.

Job Summary

Works with leadership in the day-to-day management of anaggressive, pro-active media public relations program. Develops,reviews and edits communication materials prior to release to themedia. As a key media relations contact, this team member will alsobuild networks with regional and national media contacts toincrease coverage on key college programs and initiatives.

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with leadership, participates in the development and implementation
• Provides guidance to colleges, departments, key stakeholders anduniversity leadership regarding media activities such as storypitches and distribution of news releases
• Provides editorial guidance, edits for media relationsrepresentatives, and strengthens the team working environment
• Writes, edits, and distributes news stories, media statementsand other requested communication materials to ensure effectivecoverage of university activities and initiatives
• Manages assigned media and public relations campaigns inassigned areas and produces weekly, monthly and ad hoc reports totrack campaign progress
• Identifies and cultivates local, national and internationalmedia contacts as part of a proactive strategy to aggressivelyincrease coverage of the university, its faculty and programs insupport of Kennesaw State's strategic initiatives
• Supports and identifies faculty experts who will respond tomedia requests
• Prepares stakeholders and university leadership for mediaopportunities and/or other public speaking engagements by preparingtalking points, speeches, testimonies or other remarks

Required Qualifications

• Educational Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of highereducation in a related field
• Required Experience: Three (3) years of experience in Journalism, Broadcasting, PublicRelations, Communication, or related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a related field
• Previous experience proactively pitching the media
• Previous experience serving in a public information officer orsimilar role
• Previous experience in higher education

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Abilities

• Able to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time meetingassigned deadlines
• Able to build relationships, work collaboratively and exhibit goodjudgment and diplomacy
• Able to work as a contributing member in a team-orientedenvironment, successfully interacting with internal and externalcolleagues and partners

Knowledge

• Working knowledge of Associated Press Style and journalismprinciples and techniques

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem solving,independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal andwritten), time management, project management and presentationskills
• Proficient with computer applications and programs associated withthe position (i.e. Microsoft Office suite)
• Strong attention to detail and follow up skills
• Strong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25institutions of higher education and learning as well as the SystemOffice. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence,Accountability, and Respect.These values serve as thefoundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USGcommunity member is responsible for demonstrating and upholdingthese standards.More details on the USG Statement of CoreValues and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated inBoard Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom foundon-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kennesaw State University is an EqualEmployment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed tomaintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work andstudy. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law,Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the Universityprohibits harassment of or discrimination against any personbecause of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment,pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexualorientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity ornational origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, orveteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community oncampus, in connection with a University program or activity, or ina manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSUcommunity.

For additional information on this policy, or to file a complaintunder the provisions of this policy, students, employees,applicants for employment or admission or other third partiesshould contact the Office of Institutional Equity at EnglishBuilding, Suite 225, [e-mail].

Other Information

• This is not a supervisory position.
• This position does not have any financial responsibilities.
• This position will not be required to drive.
• This role is not considered a position of trust.
• This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
• This position will not travel.

Background Check

• Standard Enhanced
• Education

Per the University System of Georgia background check policy,all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminalbackground investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclosecriminal record history during the initial screening process andprior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants forpositions of trust with screening results which confirm adisqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualifiedfrom employment eligibility

All applicants are required to include professional referencesas part of their application process. Some positions may requireadditional job-based screenings such as motor vehicle report,credit check, pre-employment drug screening and/or verification ofacademic credentials.