Responsibilities

• Serve as Saint Joseph’s University spokesperson and primary contact for all news media requests. Represent the University during interactions with the press.
• Lead University-wide issues and crisis communications strategy during high-risk incidents, reputational threats and emergency situations.
• Alongside the Vice President of Marketing and Communications and University Counsel, advise senior leadership during situations with reputational risk, providing strategic messaging guidance and media response recommendations.
• Develop a media relations strategy that is opportunistic and aligns press coverage and university news during key enrollment dates to ensure a positive narrative for the university.
• Build, develop and maintain strong working relationships with reporters locally and nationally within key industry verticals to effectively communicate major University initiatives and news.
• Serve as a critical leader on the University Bias Activity Reporting Group and the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). Distribute messages through the University’s emergency notification system, as needed.
• Manage University standards and guidelines for media relations.
• Lead media monitoring, reporting and analysis to support the division, oversee the production of a news monitor for business intelligence.
• Liaise with media, coordinating requests for interviews with faculty experts, escorting crews, sitting in on interviews with experts and conducting necessary follow-up including researching answers to questions.
• Media train faculty experts and senior leadership throughout the University, and ensure they feel prepared and empowered to engage with the media. Provide feedback and coaching after interviews.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Public Relation, Communications, Journalism, English or a related field.
• 7+ years of substantial demonstrated experience in public relations and/or related fields including media, journalism or equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Strong writing ability across media, from journalistic writing to social media, including solid research and editing skills.
• Demonstrated experience with media relations and social media tools, including media databases and media coverage/social media analysis software.
• Demonstrated ability to multitask, work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects with competing deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to establish relationships with news media.
• Demonstrated experience in crisis and issues management.
• Working knowledge of marketing and communications (social media, advertising, promotion, web, etc.)

Preferred

• Experience with Drupal and Cision.
• Multimedia experience including photography, videography, graphic design, and graphic design.
• Master’s degree