Senior Director of Public Relations and Community Outreach

Job Type:Staff

Job Description:

Manage external communication strategies to build visibility and awareness for KCU and its missions of improving the well-being of the communities it serves. Works with senior leadership to manage the reputation and image of the University. Responsible for strengthening the relationship between KCU and the community and managing relationships with organizations that support the disadvantaged populations and communities within and surrounding KCU in Joplin and Kansas City.

Public Relations

• Successfully pitch stories to local, regional and national media
• Manage and report on media placement/engagement analytics
• Maintain relationships with broadcast, print and digital media reporters, editors and directors and foster new ones, with an increased focus on national media.

• Provide analytics and accountability reports for quarterly Board of Trustees meetings
• Ensure all University messaging is consistent and in alignment with the mission, vision and values of the University
• Write blogs and press releases
• Work in collaboration with Creative Director to coordinate development of editorial for monthly and annual publications
• Supervise social media/digital media strategist who will report directly to Director of PR/CO

Outreach

• Build relationships with organizations throughout Kansas City’s Northeast Community to provide leadership and focus on improving the well-being of this particular community surrounding our Kansas City campus.
• Collaborate with the Office of Philanthropy to strengthen relationships with and support partner organizations
• Assist Student Services and Score 1 for Health as they organize outreach events involving large student bodies or campus-hosted events
• Represent KCU at civic meetings
• Serve on leadership/boards for civic and non-profit organizations; particularly those serving the disadvantaged. Collaborate with KCU’s director of government relations.
• Mentor employees who wish become involved in civic and non-profit organizations – both in KC and in Joplin.
• Serve as co-chair for KCU’s Community Outreach Task Force
• Travel as needed with faculty and students on global medical mission trips to enhance UR’s ability to tell the KCU outreach story for PR and recruiting purposes.
• Serve as spokesperson for philanthropic endeavors (i.e., master of ceremonies) on behalf of KCU

Qualifications

• BS degree or higher with a major in journalism, communications or public relations-related focus.
• 15+ years of experience in journalism/communications-related career.
• Experience in managing direct reports, particularly focused on social media and community relations.
• Provide track record for interest in serving the disadvantaged and exhibit a strong sense of civic duty.

Equal Opportunity Employer

KCU is committed to promoting an equal employment opportunity workplace. Equal opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, genetic information (GINA), physical or mental disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, ancestry, military and/or veteran status, and/or any other status protected by applicable Federal, state or local law.

Annual Security Report

KCU is committed to providing a safe campus for students, faculty, and staff. Our annual campus security report lists campus crimes and statistics for the campus and public areas around campus for the last three years, in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.

Thank you for your interest in a career at KCU!