PR/Content Specialist

Belmont University; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Belmont University is seeking a PR/Content Specialist to craft compelling content across press releases, website copy, and social/video assets. You will build reporter relationships, support media placements, and contribute to campus storytelling across colleges and initiatives.

The role focuses on proactive media relations, content strategy, and brand-aligned writing, with growing accountability for earned coverage. Strong communication and a collaborative spirit are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Public Relations, or related discipline is required.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain media lists and reporter relationships for assigned areas.
• 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.
• Collaborate with departments and stakeholders to gather information and inform content strategy.
• Maintain records in the University's media monitoring platform.

Skills

AP Stylebook

Word & Excel

Blogging software

SEO knowledge

Detail-oriented

Written communication

Evenings/weekends flexibility

Cross-campus collaboration

Meeting deadlines

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications/Journalism/PR

Tools

CMS (WordPress/website CMS)

Media monitoring platform

Job description

We are now accepting applications for a qualified PR/Content Specialist at Belmont University.

Employment Type

Staff

Internal Job Category

Exempt (Staff)
Full-Time

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.

*In accordance with accrediting standards for its professional education programs in law and medicine, the University does not apply religious criteria in hiring employees within those programs. All employees hired by the University, regardless of religious faith, shall be committed to Belmont’s Christ-centered, student-focused mission.

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.

Belmont University is a Christ-centered community. The University faculty, administration, and staff uphold Jesus as the Christ and as the measure for all things. As a community seeking to uphold Christian standards of morality, ethics, and conduct, Belmont University holds high expectations of each person who chooses to join the community. In compliance with federal law, including provisions of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973/the Americans with Disabilities Act, Belmont University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, military service, or sexual orientation in its administration of education policies, programs or activities; its admissions policies; or employment. Consistent with applicable civil rights law, the University primarily hires employees of the Christian faith who are committed to support the mission of the University. The University has appointed the Chief Human Resources Officer/Deputy Title IX Coordinator to serve as coordinator of non-discrimination compliance for staff and faculty. The Director of Institutional Equity and Compliance and Title IX Coordinator serves as coordinator of compliance for Title IX (sex discrimination) issues and questions for students. Click here to learn more.

Belmont's Office of Human Resources will conduct ongoing evaluations of the means by which candidates for employment are sought, to the end that the pool of candidates will include qualified women, minorities, veteransand disabled individuals. Belmont University is an equal opportunity employer under all applicable civil rights laws.