Director of Engagement (Public Relations Specialist)

Responsibilities

• Oversees the strategic marketing, communication, and advancement efforts for the department and to develop and manage mechanisms to elevate the department's profile within the University and greater academic community.
• Formulates and executes marketing/communications initiatives; includes, but is not limited to, overseeing the department's website and social media accounts, producing Update magazine and other departmental brochures, writing press releases and other communications to promote the department.
• Develops and implements donor engagement plans; includes leading PBS IU Day and year-end ask campaigns as well as other fundraising opportunities.
• Manages faculty award process, both external and internal (funded and otherwise) awards; writing and preparing nominations, biographies, etc.
• Advances the Chair's strategic priorities through the development of speeches, correspondence, and executive communications supporting key events and initiatives.
• Writes, edits, publishes, and distributes clear, informative written content for various strategic communications, media, and external outreach and partnership needs, audiences, and publication formats.
• Corrects basic and complex grammar, spelling, punctuation, formatting, and syntax errors independently, and performs edits that improve overall writing quality of communications and ensure alignment with university mission, strategies, objectives, and brand guidelines.
• Performs reviews of peer written communications to ensure grammar, quality, tone, and level of depth are sufficient; particularly in matters of crisis intervention, external affairs, and media relations, ensures communications advance the image, reputation, goals, objectives, and mission of the university.
• Regularly provides information to and consults with faculty, staff, media, organizations, and/or other stakeholders regarding university affairs, initiatives, programs, and activities; takes on complex and escalated issues, escalating highly complex or urgent issues to higher-level Public Relations Specialists and/or manager as needed.
• Schedules and attends meetings, press releases, consultations, publicity events, and various outreach events; may also perform administrative duties, such as maintaining photo databases and managing media contact lists.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in English, communications, journalism, public relations, or related field
• 5 years in relevant field
• Proficient communication skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrated time management and priority setting skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
• Highly thorough and dependable
• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure

Preferred

• Master’s degree in English, communications, journalism, public relations, psychology, related science or related field
• Ability to translate complex psychological or scientific research into accessible and engaging content for the general public, media, donors, and alumni
• Experience managing workflows, deadlines, and other team members to produce content
• Possesses science background or interest

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU
• Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
• Generous paid time off plans