Director of Public Affair and Communications

A successful candidate will play an active role in FMU's existing academic success. The Director of Public Affair and Communications shall have the primary responsibilities include promoting the university and managing all media relations, communications, media alerts, and press conferences. This office manages the ROAR Magazine and University Marketing and communications to ensure proper brand management and messaging. Directs media relations staff and news media-related activities including the crafting and disseminating of press releases and videos to ensure that goals and priorities in the areas of media relations and other institutional communication via speeches and direct messaging to the University community; boards; and stakeholders are met. This customer-centric role is responsible to deliver service excellence support to meet the needs of our University community. Demonstrates the professionalism needed to handle sensitive and confidential matters.

Essential Functions:

Responsibilities include the development of print; electronic; and online media relations programs and outreach efforts at the national; state; and local levels. Ensures the development of advertising and promotional plans and manages the annual advertising and promotional budget. In collaboration with University Leadership, volunteers, and board members on projects to execute organizational policies and priorities.

• Assists in developing the department’s strategic plan, which addresses critical issues in the marketing, public relations, and communications area. The plan will set out objectives for each strategic area of the department and outlines plans for achieving those objectives.
• In consultation with the President and key stakeholders, develops and recommends an annual marketing and communication plan for departments
• Prepares presentations to be presented to the Board on Public Affairs and Communications accomplishments and activities.
• Provides effective and innovative leadership in developing and leading all marketing strategies.
• Develops a marketing strategy that effectively markets the organization and educates the public in terms of issues and maximizes the organization's fundraising efforts.
• Responsible for the development and implementation of an annual special events calendar. Ensures all Institutional Advancement events are planned to capture the attention of the intended audience and the media. Manages the production of each event ensuring all appropriate sponsorships are achieved and all details are managed in a creative, timely, and cost-efficient manner.
• Develops and implements communications and media strategies that successfully deliver information and key messages to the public.
• Develops and maintains a strong and productive relationship with both print and electronic media. Ensures the organization is understood by the media and the media are interested in presenting information to the public in a manner that informs and educates them on the organization.
• Provides ongoing media training to the President and university leaders to exemplify the skills and confidence to deliver appropriate messages during interviews with the media.
• Keeps abreast of all trends in the industry.
• Displays behavior consistent with professional ethics and FMU policies and procedures.
• Moderate physical activity. Requires handling of average-weight objects up to fifty (50) pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.
• The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that logically relate to the position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to handle information of sensitive and confidential nature in the utmost professional manner. Demonstrate a high level of professionalism, initiative, resourcefulness, and personal accountability.
• Effective analytical and decision-making skills. Excellent communication (oral and written), organizational, and time management skills. Effective interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse constituents.
• Attention to detail and adaptability to a changing environment is extremely important as well as dependability.
• Moderate physical activity. Requires handling objects of average weight up to fifty (50) pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.
• Note: In compliance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA), those functions of the job which are identified as essential are required to be performed with or without reasonable accommodations. Requests to facilitate the performance of essential functions will be given careful consideration.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Business, Marketing, or related discipline with five (5) plus years of experience in the field. Masters degree in appropriate field preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team-based environment.
• Excellent communication, presentation, business development, organization skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Flexibility to work outside of normal business hours.
• Pre-Employment screening is required: criminal background check and drug testing.

Qualified applicants are asked to upload a cover letter of interest, resume/curriculum vitae, and/or certifications, if applicable.

Supplemental Information

We offer a competitive salary commensurate to experience. In addition to the completed application, candidates must submit a list of three professional references (at least one from a previous employer) that includes names and contact information. Review of application materials will begin ASAP and will continue until the position is filled. No phone calls, please.

Florida Memorial University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.