Number of Vacancies: 1

Area of Consideration: Open To The Public

Position Status: Full-Time, Regular

Pay Plan, Series & Grade: DS0058/6

Salary Range:

Closing Date:  Open Until Filled

Location: 4200 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

Brief Description of Duties

As a member of the University's Office of Marketing and Communications, the Assistant Director of Media Relations will develop and execute a proactive communications plan that drives international, national, and local media relations and amplifies the reach of the University's messaging and strategic priorities. The Assistant Director of Media Relations will develop and execute media tactics that support the University's business needs, goals, and crisis management plan. This individual will cultivate relationships with media members to proactively communicate stories and news and work collegially and effectively across the organization. This role creates and maintains a unified, results‐oriented strategy that serves the University's interests and those of its students, alumni, and employees.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Create, cultivate, and deepen relationships in international, national, and local media, resulting in positive media coverage of University priorities.
• Serves as a primary liaison for the media and facilitates all requests promptly, including serving as a spokesperson alongside the Vice President of Marketing and Communications. 
• Keep abreast of University messaging and priorities and actively pitch story ideas, press releases, and advisories to media members.
• Prepare, develop and disseminate frequent media coverage and highlight reels for the University community, including producing reports for leadership that demonstrate reach and performance.
• Manage media relations around executive‐level or institution‐wide priorities, working closely with marketing and communication team members.
• Manage media relations' liaisons and capabilities across the University's academic, athletic, and student support units to support a unified media relations and news strategy, including reviewing and approving all University media outreach.
• Communicate with media members, respond to queries promptly and facilitate interviews with University experts.
• Establish institution-wide best practice media relations guidelines and processes, including crisis communications.
• Develop and maintain the University's subject matter expert database and media kit.
• Expand digital analytics to evaluate and refine media-content strategies and practices.
• Develop and maintain a media calendar that aligns with the Office of Marketing and Communication's deadlines.
• Maintain an engaging and consistent voice that aligns with the University's brand.
• Collaborate with other units across the University to ensure brand consistency.
• Coach and train employees, students, and alumni on media relations strategy and interview best practices.
• Prepare talking points for subject matter experts.
• Suggest and implement new ideas and functionality to grow brand awareness and support business goals.
• Monitor, listen and respond to target audiences, partners, and collaborators to support and drive media relations strategy.
• Perform research on current benchmark trends and audience preferences.
• Track and analyze content performance, and translate the data into recommendations and plans for modifying and informing future communication tactics.
• Stay up-to-date with current technologies and trends in media and communications.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to confidential information as required.
• Adheres to communication deadlines.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in communications, journalism, marketing, or a similar field. Master's degree preferred.
• Five (5) years of related experience in public relations, media relations, journalism or communications experience
• Demonstrated success in media relations on both strategic and tactical levels, including established contacts and relationships with local and national media and demonstrated achievement in pitching and securing media placements
• Strong relationships with journalists and reporters in local, national and higher education-focused media
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to articulate clearly and concisely
• Understanding of copywriting and media relations best practices and principles
• Proficient in tracking, analyzing, and reporting to senior leadership on the effectiveness of media relations and reputation management programs
• Experience as a spokesperson, including live‐ and on‐camera situations and the ability to make public presentations before a wide variety of audiences
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word.
• Current on the latest digital communication technologies and social media trends.
• Experience with design and video editing/production software and tools is preferred.
• Familiarity with project management software is preferred.
• Direct experience working in higher education is preferred.

• Ability to attend University-related events/activities on evenings/weekends
• Exceptional communication skills (verbal and written)
• Proficient understanding of copywriting and communication best practices and principles
• Capacity to work efficiently across a range of subject areas while multitasking multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to handle and prioritize multiple complex priorities and tasks in a fast-paced team environment
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to prioritize and follow through effectively, a track record of achievement in meeting deadlines
• Ability to establish goals and objectives that support the strategic plan and willingness to share own ideas, even amongest senior staff
• Proactive, creative, action-oriented and willing to immerse themselves in the University environment to develop proactive and positive written communication products.
• Ability to build and maintain professional networks and diplomatically influence and counsel University and community leaders focusing on quality, responsiveness, and superior service and work products.

Information to Applicant

Collective Bargaining Unit (Union): This position is not part of the collective bargaining unit.  

Employment Benefits: Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual (vacation) and sick leave and will be covered under the University of the District of Columbia' s retirement plan (TIAA).

Equal Opportunity Employer: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.

Notice of Non-Discrimination: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 et. seq., (Act) the University of the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived actual race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, personal appearance, genetic information, familial status, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, place of residence or business,  or status as a covered veteran, as provided for and to the extent required by District and Federal statutes and regulations. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is also prohibited by the Act.  In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act.  Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated.  Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.

Veterans Preference:  Applicants claiming veterans preference must submit official proof at the time of application.

Visa Sponsorship: At this time, the University of the District of Columbia does not provide sponsorship for visas (e.g. H-1B). This position is also ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Residency Preference: A person applying for a position who is a bona fide District resident at the time of application for the position, may be awarded a 10-point residency preference over non-District applicants, unless the person declines the preference points. If selected, the person shall be required to present no less than 8 proofs of bona fide District residency on or before the effective date of the appointment and maintain such residency for 7 consecutive years from the effective date of the appointment. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the 7-year period will result in forfeiture of employment.

Drug-Free Workplace: Pursuant to the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the individual selected to fill this position will, as a condition of employment, be required to notify his/her immediate supervisor, in writing, not later than five (5) days after conviction of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace.

Background Investigation: Employment with the University of the District of Columbia is contingent upon a satisfactory background investigation.  The determination of a "satisfactory background investigation" is made at the sole discretion of the University of the District of Columbia.  The University may refuse to hire a finalist, rescind an offer of employment to a finalist or review and may terminate the employment of a current employee based on the results of a background investigation.

Disposition of Resume: Resumes received outside the area of consideration and/or after the closing date will not be given consideration. You must resubmit your resume to receive consideration for any subsequent advertised position vacancies. For the purpose of employment, resumes are not considered job applications. Therefore, if selected for employment a UDC application will be required.

Job Offers: Official Job Offers are made by the University of the District of Columbia, Office of Human Resources only.

Contact Information:  All inquiries related to employment and job applications should be directed to UDC Office of Human Resources at (202) 274-5380.

The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a full version of the University’s EO Policy Statement, please visit: https://www.udc.edu/human-resources/equal-opportunity/ .