PR/Content Specialist

Belmont University; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Belmont University in Nashville seeks an energetic PR/Content Specialist to craft compelling stories, press releases, media pitches and digital content as part of the Office of Communications. You will support media relations and content marketing for colleges, programs and people features and help grow earned coverage.

The role requires strong writing, storytelling, SEO awareness, reporter relationship-building and the ability to coordinate across campus while meeting deadlines.

Qualifications

• Must have working knowledge of AP Stylebook.
• Must have computer proficiency, including Word and Excel.
• Must know or have ability to learn blog software, blogging best practices and SEO techniques; Belmont Alerts crisis communications system and website content management system.
• Must be thorough and detail-oriented.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills, including ability to write, edit and proofread.
• Must have flexibility to work evenings and weekends.
• An ability to interact constructively with staff and faculty across campus.
• An ability to work effectively and efficiently to meet deadlines.
• An ability to possess effective group dynamic skills.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment and the ability to respond to high-pressure situations.
• An ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain media lists and reporter relationships for assigned areas.
• Seek content amplification through external and internal outlets, partnering with the content team to discover media opportunities, write press releases and pitch media coverage.
• Develop social media photo, video and graphic assets to support storytelling and amplify messaging.
• Craft compelling, high-quality written and multimedia stories highlighting university colleges, initiatives, programs and individuals.
• Identify and deliver stories that serve recruitment, retention, brand-building and development goals.
• Ensure all content is delivered on time and in compliance with University brand and style guidelines.
• Assist with reactive media inquiries and support crisis or sensitive communications situations, coordinating with the PR & Content team and University spokespeople as needed.
• Conduct keyword research and content gap analysis to inform content strategy in assigned areas.
• Implement on-page SEO best practices, such as optimizing titles, meta descriptions, headings and internal links for priority website pages.
• Collaborate with departments and stakeholders to gather information, seeking to become a lead media relations resource for assigned colleges/initiatives.
• Maintain accurate records in the University's media monitoring platform.
• Keep up-to-date on media relations and content marketing best practices, seeking continuous improvement and ongoing professional development to advance institutional PR results.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

AP Stylebook

Word

Excel

Blog software

SEO techniques

Oral and written communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Public Relations, or related discipline

Tools

Blog platform

CMS

SEO tools

Job description

Employment Type

Staff

Full-Time

Internal Job Category

Exempt (Staff)

Department

Marketing & Communications

Hours

37.5

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The PR/Content Specialist is an early-career storyteller and media relations contributor who uses press releases, media pitches, written stories, website copy and social/video assets to secure earned coverage and deliver compelling content across platforms. This role supports the University's media relations and content marketing efforts by building reporter relationships and producing engaging content for colleges, initiatives and people features, with growing accountability for media placements over time. The ideal candidate is a go-getter with strong communication skills and a passion for media relations and storytelling.

Belmont's Office of Communications exists to tell the Belmont story, providing proactive guidance and support to Belmont University in the following areas: Media Relations, Public Relations, Campus and Community Communications, Crisis Communications and Photography.

• Build and maintain media lists and reporter relationships for assigned areas. Seek content amplification through external and internal outlets, partnering with the content team to discover media opportunities, write press releases and pitch media coverage. Develop social media photo, video and graphic assets to support storytelling and amplify messaging.
• Craft compelling, high-quality written and multimedia stories highlighting university colleges, initiatives, programs and individuals. Identify and deliver stories that serve recruitment, retention, brand-building and development goals. Ensure all content is delivered on time and in compliance with University brand and style guidelines.
• Assist with reactive media inquiries and support crisis or sensitive communications situations, coordinating with the PR & Content team and University spokespeople as needed.
• Conduct keyword research and content gap analysis to inform content strategy in assigned areas. Implement on-page SEO best practices, such as optimizing titles, meta descriptions, headings and internal links for priority website pages.
• Collaborate with departments and stakeholders to gather information, seeking to become a lead media relations resource for assigned colleges/initiatives. Maintain accurate records in the University's media monitoring platform. Keep up-to-date on media relations and content marketing best practices, seeking continuous improvement and ongoing professional development to advance institutional PR results.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Belmont University seeks to attract and retain highly qualified faculty and staff who will support our mission and vision. As a Christ-centered and student-focused community, we aim to:

• Form diverse leaders of character;
• Equip people to solve the world’s complex problems through teaching, research and service;
• And be radical champions for helping people and communities flourish.
• Must have a working knowledge of AP Stylebook.
• Must have computer proficiency, including Word and Excel.
• Must know or have ability to learn blog software, blogging best practices and SEO techniques; Belmont Alerts crisis communications system and website content management system.
• Must be thorough and detail-oriented.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills, including ability to write, edit and proofread.
• Must have flexibility to work evenings and weekends.
• An ability to interact constructively with staff and faculty across campus.
• An ability to work effectively and efficiently to meet deadlines.
• An ability to possess effective group dynamic skills.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment and the ability to respond to high-pressure situations. Ability to thrive in an environment of hard work.
• An ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Public Relations, or related discipline is required. Strong Knowledge of Belmont University preferred.

Required Experience

At least 3 years in news and public relations with editorial experience preferred.

The selected candidate will be required to complete a background check satisfactory to the University.

Belmont University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.