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Assistant/Associate Director of Media Relations

Job Details

Job Description
Department:
Media Relations
Pay Rate Type:
Salary
Employee Type:
Job Summary:The assistant/associate director of media relations will join a talented and innovative communications team. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work closely with and learn from top communications and marketing professionals and contribute to a dynamic momentum that is transforming the College’s reputation and brand recognition
The assistant/associate director of media relations will be responsible for generating positive visibility and attention that will continue to enhance the reputation of the College. Reporting to the director of media relations, the assistant/associate director will write and distribute major College announcements, press releases, and other news stories. This individual will also be responsible for developing positive relationships with journalists to obtain local, regional, and national placements for a range of content related to research, scholarship, programs, achievements, and initiatives, as well as assist faculty and staff in developing op-eds and preparing for media opportunities. Additionally, the assistant/associate director will oversee media monitoring tools, continuously identify trend data and deliver reports that offer nuanced insights into the national, regional, and local media landscape as well as the College’s efforts relative to competitor institutions. We encourage inquiries from candidates who will contribute to the diversity of our College, including its cultural and ethnic diversity.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Assist the director of media relations in developing and executing an integrated media plan to enhance the reputation of the College and brand recognition
  • Pitch local, regional, and national media outlets to secure multiple placements for College announcements, research, stories, and opinions
  • Write, edit, and distribute press releases, announcements, and briefing documents
  • Update and maintain regularly requested press materials (backgrounders, boilerplates, fact sheets, and photos)
  • Create, maintain, and update an extensive database of media contacts
  • Coordinate media events, photo shoots, and interviews
  • Respond to incoming media inquiries in a timely manner by working in collaboration with the director of media relations
  • Monitor daily media coverage and deliver status reports
  • Review weekly and monthly editorial calendars for relevant placement opportunities
  • Develop positive relationships with local, regional, and national journalists
  • Collaborate with the director of media relations on crisis communications as needed
  • Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice


QUALIFICATIONS :

  • Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience
  • Two or more years of work in public relations, media relations, marketing communications, or journalism, with a preference for increasing responsibility over that time; agency experience and experience using Cision preferred
  • Superior written and oral communication skills
  • Ability to write many types of content, from press releases and announcements to news stories and ad copy
  • Instinct for identifying undiscovered stories and developing creative ways to tell them
  • Ability to present ideas clearly and collaborate with colleagues and constituents
  • Excellent command of language, grammar, and ability to adhere to Colby style guidelines
  • Attention to detail and high level of organization
  • Ability to thrive under deadlines and work some nights and weekends as needed
  • Understanding of business intelligence software, social media platforms, media relations tools
  • Ability to make an impact through work as a member of a team and diverse community
  • Desire to make substantial contributions in a high-functioning, fast-paced environment
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the demonstrated ability to establish and develop productive and collegial relationships
  • Collaboration and the ability to communicate with various constituencies (e.g. staff, faculty, students, managers, and visitors)
  • Ability to interface effectively with senior administrators and College leadership
  • Valid driver’s license required and must meet the College’s Fleet Safety Policy requirements


KEY RELATIONSHIPS :

This position has significant interactions with external media, faculty, staff, students and other members of the campus community and outside constituencies.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

General open office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary.

Position involves frequent computer usage with repetitive hand/wrist motion is necessary. Ability to move around campus is crucial. Some travel is required.

TO APPLY :

Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the "Apply" button on the Colby Careers website. Please submit a letter of interest including salary requirements, resume, and the contact information of three professional references. Materials should be addressed to:

Assistant/Associate Director of Media Relations - Search Committee
Office of Human Resources
Colby College
5500 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, ME 04901-8855


Company

Colby College

Founded in 1813, Colby College is the 12th oldest liberal arts college in the United States.

Distinctive in its offerings, Colby provides an intimate, undergraduate-focused learning environment with a breadth of programs presenting students and faculty with unparalleled opportunities. A vibrant and fully integrated academic, residential, and cocurricular experience is sustained by a diverse and supportive community. Located in Waterville, Maine, Colby is a global institution with students representing nearly every U.S. state and approximately 70 countries.

Colby’s model provides the scale and impact of larger universities coupled with intensive learning in a community committed to scholarship and discovery, multidisciplinary approaches to integrated learning, study in the liberal arts, and leading-edge programs addressing the world’s most complex challenges. Its network of partnerships with prestigious cultural, research, medical, and business institutions extends educational and scholarly collaborations, providing students with unmatched experiences leading to postgraduate success.

The College’s wide variety of programs and labs provides students and the community access to unique experiences: the Colby College Museum of Art, the finest college art museum in the country, and the Lunder Institute for American Art have made the College a nationally and internationally recognized center for art scholarship; DavisConnects prepares students for lifelong success by combining a forward-thinking liberal arts education with extensive internship, research, and global opportunities for all students regardless of their personal networks and financial circumstances; and the 350,000-square-foot Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center, is the most advanced and comprehensive NCAA D-III facility in the country. In fall 2021, Colby opened the Davis Institute for Artificial Intelligence, the first such institute at a liberal arts college. Colby’s new Island Campus, consisting of Allen and Benner islands, gives Colby a significant presence on the coast of Maine for a wide range of academic programs and activities and undisturbed environments ideal for conducting interdisciplinary experiences.

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