Public Relations Specialist

Responsibilities

• Media Relations - Identify, create, and execute media and public relations campaigns and initiatives that support the University's values, mission, and strategic goals.
• Maintain a steady and positive University presence in media through news releases, connecting with faculty, staff, and media contacts.
• Respond to and manage media requests.
• Draft, publish and distribute media materials.
• Create and manage media lists for local, national, and international media outreach, identifying relevant contacts based on beats and related coverage.
• Writing and Editing - Draft and edit press releases, fact sheets, and media advisories, ensuring alignment with the University's tone and style.
• Research - Research and identify potential media interest in the University's students, alumni, faculty, centers, institutes, initiatives, and research.
• Act on opportunities related to trends and media interest in topics related to University values, programs, faculty experts, and human interest stories.
• Crisis Communication - Support the Associate Director of Communications and Public Relations through enacting established crisis communications protocols.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, public relations, or related field.
• Knowledge of media relations including researching trending stories, creating media lists, and drafting press releases.
• A proven ability to work on varying timelines and to maintain flexibility in a fast-paced work environment.
• Collaborative mindset in order to partner and interface with internal colleagues both in the department and across the University.
• Creative energy.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated experience successfully working with peers.
• Demonstrated success at working under tight deadlines.
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential communications.

Preferred

• Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in public relations, media relations, journalism, higher education communications, corporate communications, agency communications, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success leading communications campaigns and projects, cultivating media relationships, developing executive messaging, and supporting crisis communications efforts.
• Experience providing communications counsel to organizational leaders and mentoring or guiding junior communications professionals.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling abilities.
• Superior presentation skills.
• Demonstrated expertise in media relations and earned media strategy.
• Ability to advise and prepare executives for media interviews and public engagement.
• Experience conducting media training and spokesperson preparation.
• Strong strategic thinking and sound professional judgment.
• Ability to lead complex communications initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.

Benefits

• Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.