Director of Media Relations and News

Director of Media Relations and News
Salary: $110,000.00 - $120,000.00 Annually
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2015-1604048
Location: CA 94556, CA
Department: College Communications
Closing: 7/1/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

Background

Founded in 1863, Saint Mary's is a residential campus nestled 20 miles east of San Francisco in the picturesque Moraga Valley. Based in the Catholic, Lasallian and Liberal Arts traditions, Saint Mary's currently enrolls more than 3,100 students from diverse backgrounds in undergraduate and graduate programs. The De La Salle Christian Brothers, the largest teaching order of the Roman Catholic Church, guide the spiritual and academic character of the College.

As a comprehensive and independent institution, Saint Mary's offers undergraduate and graduate programs integrating liberal and professional education. Saint Mary's reputation for excellence, innovation, and responsiveness in education stems from its vibrant heritage as a Catholic, Lasallian and Liberal Arts institution. An outstanding, committed faculty and staff that value shared inquiry, integrative learning, and student interaction bring these traditions to life in the 21st century. The College is committed to the educational benefits of diversity.

Responsibilities
Reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer / Chief Communications Officer (CMO/CCO) in the Office of Marketing and Communications (MarCom), the Director of Media Relations and News will be responsible for the strategic development and implementation of strategic communications strategies and tactics that strengthen and support Saint Mary's College of California's (SMC) brand and reputation. This includes crisis communications, issues management, media relations, news, internal and external communications, and event coordination.

In coordination with CMO/CCO, the incumbent will provide strategic media and public relations guidance and support to the president, provost, vice presidents, deans, athletics director, faculty, coaches, staff, and students as needed. The Director of Media Relations and News will work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment to collaborate, coordinate, develop and disseminate the College's messages.
The incumbent also contributes content for the College magazine and copyediting support of content submitted by staff writers.

The incumbent is a key member of MarCom's leadership structure working collaboratively with MarCom's leadership team and with other campus units. As directed by the CMO/CCO, the incumbent may support a range of enterprise-level strategic communications priorities.

Media Relations

1. Devise and implement a news media outreach strategic plan that increases the impact of the College's teachings, ideas, schools, programs and initiatives as well as proactively pitching news stories and faculty experts for successful placement.
2. Develop strong and mutually beneficial relationships with print, digital and broadcast outlets on a local, regional, national and international level.
3. Pitch and successfully place earned media in print, digital and broadcast outlets on a local, regional, national, and international level.
4. Oversee interface between the College and the media, serving as the College's spokesperson as backup to CMO/CCO.
5. Inform SMC's senior leadership team of media requests and breaking news that impact the College's operations and campus community members. Develop collaborative responses as needed.
6. Contribute to and maintain editorial content over all news releases, op-eds, press statements, and letters to the editor.
7. Collaborate in the development and management of the College's NewsCenter and contribute material.
8. Manage media relations tools/systems (e.g. Cision) and MarCom's administered web sites including SMC's Faculty Experts Directory.
9. In collaboration with the president's office, strengthen and promote positive, productive and constructive relationships with elected officials and their respective communications office/PIOs.
10. Build and manage relationships with news organizations.
11. Visualize and develop related promotional and follow- up materials including news releases, photography, videography, interviews, fact sheets and press kits as needed.

Editorial/News Content

1. Develop and implement news content that position SMC, its faculty, alumni, research, students, teaching, and campus activities through various communication channels per assigned beats.
2. As a member of the MarCom leadership team, partner and coordinate with colleagues on editorial/news content including copyediting support.
3. Create, edit, and provide regular maintenance to web sites that are fundamental to the College's mission (e.g. About, Facts, Public Health, etc.).
4. Create and implement editorial content and news development infrastructure (e.g. assigned beats) and guidelines for SMC writers to act as communications/content and brand ambassadors consistent with SMC's overall strategic goals and messaging. Proactively seek potential stories from throughout the campus community.
5. Contribute expertise to College's officers, schools, offices, departments, programs and SMC affiliates in developing and creating sophisticated, nuanced strategic communications.
6. Use social media channels to effectively share and distribute stories, news and information and communicate with SMC's audiences.
7. Collaborate with stakeholders to develop and disseminate materials that strengthen and promote the College's sponsorships, partnerships and joint ventures.
8. Ensure that all SMC's communications are aligned with and reflect the mission and values of the Lasallian, Catholic heritage.
9. Provide strategic communications counsel to content developers producing materials that promote the College's brand, stature and encourage external support.
10. Create, manage and track applicable budgets to ensure on or under budget performance.
11. Create, manage and track all applicable project timelines to ensure on time, high-quality deliverables.
12. Assist with external requests for photography and videography of and on College grounds.

Crisis Communications

• Coordinate, develop and disseminate communications during an emergency or natural disaster including the development and implementation of disruption plans. Act as spokesperson and public information officer as needed and to serve as backup to CMO/CCO and Director of Media Relations. Actively participate in the Emergency Operations Center in accordance with U.S. Homeland Security guidance.
• As appropriate and necessary and in coordination with the CMO/CCO, provide strategic advice and guidance to the president, vice presidents, athletics director, and executive director of public safety.
• Collaborate with all offices, departments, and schools to develop enhanced and effective communications to ensure consistent and appropriate messaging.
• Develop and ensure successful implementation of MarCom's crisis communications plan including roles and responsibilities.
• Use social media channels to effectively share and distribute crisis communications-related information in order to inform SMC's audiences and media outlets.
• Respond to changing needs or unusual/urgent events that occur in or near the College.
• Participate in cross-organizational activities/training (e.g. tabletop exercises) designed to improve organizational performance.
• Oversee the draft of news releases, media statements, key messages, and talking points.
• Prepare debrief and post-incident reports for follow up action items and assessment.

Coordination and Implementation

• In collaboration with the Office of the President and Vice Presidents, develop strategic media/public relations plans to support the College's key initiatives and events.
• Acting as the College's principal media representative, strengthen relationships with key stakeholders including speakers, donors, and sponsors by assisting with publicity and interview requests.
• Coordinate with the Office of the President, Vice Presidents, Executive Director of Public Safety, and others to develop and implement disruption plans.

Other Duties as Assigned
The director may serve on various campus committees outside of their core areas of responsibility. Tasks of these committees may range from campus hires to examining diversity initiatives.

Experience and Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of five years of experience in a media relations role and/or in communications or public relations.
• Higher education communications and media relations experience required.
• Expert knowledge and understanding of universities/colleges from an institutional perspective, including academic departments, administrative structures, organizational politics, and alumni relations.
• Knowledge in budget development and management.
• Expert writing and editorial skills with the ability to effectively present ideas and concepts in presentation format.
• Skill in building strong rapport and working relationships with media outlets/reporters (local, regional, national) as well as faculty, staff, and students.
• Demonstrated ability to compose compelling news stories that not only convey but also humanize institutional messages and priorities through powerful narrative.
• Strong writing, editing and proofreading skills, and ability to produce engaging copy quickly and efficiently. Skill in developing and pitching story ideas, conducting research and interviews, and checking facts.
• Excellent customer service and public relations skills. Expert networking and interpersonal skills including strong consultative skills to work with internal and external constituents.
• Capacity to juggle multiple responsibilities simultaneously in a deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to work with executive leadership, high-profile donors and prospects, legislators, influencers, writers, editors, graphic designers, photographers and members of the media.
• Knowledge or ability to quickly learn university/college infrastructure, policies and procedures, and strategic priorities.
• Ability to effectively use digital platforms (e.g. Drupal content management system, Cision, Marketo) and project/communication management tools (e.g. Monday.com, Asana, Slack) to maximize productivity and communication goals.
• Expert ability to write and edit for a magazine or similar publication. Knowledge of print and digital magazine production.
• Thorough research and fact verification skills. Demonstrated expertise in producing professional publications, content editing and proofreading—including expert-level grammar skills.
• Thorough analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent organizational, oral, and written communication, collaboration and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously under deadline.
• Expert at AP Style.

COMPETENCIES AND ATTRIBUTES
The successful professional will have or be:

• Ability to build strategic relationships with senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Ability to coach and support senior leaders as spokespersons and to provide staff leadership and supervision.
• Knowledge of public relations and strategic communications principles and best practices.
• Understanding of the legislative process.
• Excellent managerial skills: both people management and project management.
• Excellent public speaking skills.
• Bilingual or multi-lingual skills a plus.
• Ability to work in a fast passed, energetic and complicated environment.
• Excellent multi-tasking skills.
• Demonstrated team player with the ability to work with diverse groups.
• Ability to craft messages that effectively reach a broad audience.
• Knowledge of current practices in writing content for websites, social media, and all other digital and printed communication.
• A positive attitude. Superior news judgement and outstanding communications skills and presence at all levels and for all audiences, nationally and internationally.
• Proven ability to manage large and complex issues through diverse and competing interests.
• Excellent customer service skills.
  

Supplemental Information
Supplemental Information

Application Instructions: Please apply online at http://jobs.stmarys-ca.edu
Include a cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications and are prepared to support the mission of the College

A resume

The name and contact information for three (3) professional references.

In applying for a position, candidates sign a consent authorizing a broader inquiry which may include reference checks, a motor vehicle check, and a third party background check.

Saint Mary's is an equal employment opportunity employer. We support inclusive excellence and are committed to creating a safe and welcoming community for all.


Please apply online at https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/stmarys

jeid-f9afdd6a854b73499500f9c816bdba62