Number of Vacancies: 1

Area of Consideration: Open To The Public

Position Status: Full-time, Regular

Pay Plan, Series & Grade: DS0095/9

Salary Range:  $74,713- $86,157

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 Media Relations Specialist 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 through owned media assets. The Media Relations Specialist will develop and carry out media tactics that support the University's business needs, strategic vision, and crisis management. This individual will cultivate relationships with members of the media 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 to generate coverage of University priorities.
• Keep abreast of University priorities and actively pitch stories to the media.
• Manage media relations capabilities across the University's units to support a unified media relations and news strategy.
• Establish institution-wide best practice media relations guidelines and processes.
• Review and approve all University media outreach.
• Serves as a primary liaison for the media and facilitates all requests promptly.
• Expand the use of digital analytics to evaluate and refine content creation strategies and practices.
• Manage media relations and use owned media around executive‐level or institution‐wide priorities, working closely with members of the marketing and communication team.
• Develop and maintain a media calendar that aligns with the department 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.
• Communicate with members of the media, respond to queries promptly and facilitate interviews.
• Develop and maintain the University's subject matter expert database and media kit.
• Prepare, develop and disseminate frequent media coverage and highlight reels for the University community.
• 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 features 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.
• Establish key performance targets, track and analyze performance, assess and translate data into recommendations and plans for modifying and informing future tactics.
• Produce robust reports for department leadership that demonstrate reach and performance.
• Stay up-to-date with current technologies and trends in media and communications.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in communications, journalism, marketing, or 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.
• Experience working with local media preferred.

• Established contacts and relationships with local and national media.
• Ability to attend University-related events/activities on evenings/weekends for social media coverage.
• Excellent writing and editing skills.
• Experience as a spokesperson, including live‐ and on‐camera situations and the ability to make public presentations before a wide variety of audiences.
• Highly effective communicator with the ability to deliver creative content (text, image, and video) for diverse audiences.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to articulate clearly and concisely.
• Understanding of copywriting and media relations best practices and principles.
• Strong knowledge of communication and marketing principles.
• Solid knowledge of SEO, keyword research, and Google Analytics.
• 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.
• Proficient in tracking, analyzing, and reporting to senior leadership on the effectiveness of media relations and reputation management programs.
• Current with the latest digital technologies and social media trends.
• Ability to establish goals and objectives that support the strategic plan.
• Ability to effectively plan, delegate, and supervise the work of others.
• Willingness to share own ideas, even amongst senior staff.
• Experience with design and video editing/production software and tools preferred.
• Direct experience working in higher education, preferred.

Information to Applicant

Collective Bargaining Unit (Union): This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by AFSCME local 2087 and you may be required to pay an agency service fee through direct payroll deduction.

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-CREF).

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: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability.  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 veteran's 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 Talent Management only.

Contact Information:  All inquiries related to employment and job applications should be directed to UDC Office of Talent Management 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/ .