Associate Director of Media Relations

American University•Washington, DC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. The Associate Director of Media Relations is responsible for creating and implementing proactive communications strategies to support and promote the university’s institutional and reputational goals/priorities/initiatives, faculty research and expertise, and school/college programs and events to internal and external audiences. The AD develops and fosters relationships with key media organizations, manages incoming media inquiries and works to position the university effectively across the media landscape. The Associate Director supports the work of the communications team, which includes storytelling, community, and internal communications. This role reports to the Director of Media and Communications. This position collaborates closely with deans, department heads, faculty, school communications colleagues across the university, and other university staff. The Associate Director partners with UCM colleagues for digital, photography, marketing, video, and editorial activities to support communications and engagement work.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree.
8 - 10 years of relevant experience.

Nice To Haves

10+ years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement public relations strategies that support the university’s strategic plan and key priorities, advance key themes and messages, and demonstrate university leadership in priority areas.
Promote university research and priorities, faculty expertise, educational programs, events, and other initiatives and events to international, national, local Washington DC, and trade and industry media.
Produce communications materials including web stories, press releases, media advisories, Q&As, talking points, briefings, and pitches.
Develop and publish content for AU website.
Ensures a quality work product with little to no supervision. Copyedits, proofreads and revises communications regularly.
Collaborate with school communication staff to advance individual school programs and research in support of overall university brand and positioning.
Develop metrics on all activities and results, develops close working relationships with faculty, communications liaisons in the schools, and others as appropriate.
Develop and manage relationships with a wide range of reporters at print, broadcast, and online outlets to ensure that AU and its schools are well positioned in the media as a leader in priority areas.
Utilize social media strategies to enhance relationships and promote content.
Assess the daily media landscape and news cycle for proactive opportunities and outreach.
Execute communications strategies and projects for university-wide priorities including, but not limited to inclusive excellence, climate change and sustainability, dynamic educational experiences, faculty research and scholarship, internal communications, reputation, and the comprehensive fundraising campaign.
Provide support to University Communications and Marketing assistant vice presidents, members of UCM and other AU units to document, highlight, and promote internally and externally the progress made on the Strategic Plan.
With a focus on the university’s scientific research, leverage storytelling expertise, gather news, develop messaging, write stories and coordinate dissemination of stories to external and internal audiences.
Research, plan, write and edit content for american.edu; use data to evaluate the content’s impact and make links between academic and research mission. Work across UCM and units to amplify research across AU outlets and publications.
Manage workflow, processes and outcomes of the communications and media team, always seeking to implement new technology, vendors, etc. to advance university’s strategic goals.
Respond rapidly and appropriately to media requests.
Provide messaging, interview preparation, and logistical support for media interviews and event coverage as necessary.
Support issues management and crisis communications, including media monitoring and reports.
Serve as UCM contact for the deans, communications teams, faculty, and other staff as appropriate.
Periodic supervision of Communications Specialist and/or department interns, as appropriate.