Senior Media Relations Specialist

District of Columbia, USA (Hybrid)

$66K/yr – $91K/yrSenior Level5+ years expFull time

Posted 22 hrs ago

Job Summary

Own media relations for assigned university departments by identifying stories, pitching media, coordinating interviews, and managing crisis communications while building external media relationships.

Oversee writing of news releases and tips to highlight media placements
Coordinate media coverage and interviews with university leaders and experts

Job Description

Responsibilities

The Senior Media Relations Specialist identifies and develops stories for media, arranges news coverage, and generally provides media relations management for assigned academic departments, programs and administrative offices.
This position typically advises and coordinates with university leadership to identify and develop proactive opportunities for media coverage of university experts, announcements and initiatives.
This position pitches stories to news media, facilitates interviews with GW leaders and experts, responds to media inquiries, and serves as a media relations representative at university events.
Supports crisis communications and issues and campus media requests.
The position works independently and exercises good judgement in pitching stories to news media, facilitating interviews with GW leaders and experts, responding to media inquiries, and serving as a media relations representative at university events, including hi-profile events.
Develops and maintains relations with external media, including national, local and student media.
Can serve as an on-the-record spokesperson with student media.
The ideal candidate must have superb writing and editing skills as this position typically writes news releases, news tips cutline, etc., for dissemination to the news media and prepares media coverage reports and other information to highlight media placements.
Candidates must have a proven track record of successful promotions through strategic earned media relations, and experience as a journalist or in an agency setting is a plus but not required.
This role works independently to conduct research, interviews and writes and edits copy for external media and university media.

Requirements

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 5 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study plus 3 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Preferred

Existing relationships with national, regional, and trade media, with ability to work with various types of university media.
Proven experience in developing and implementing media relations strategic plans and securing media coverage.
Experience managing media relations, including serving as a spokesperson and managing media logistics.
Strong written and oral communications skills.
Social media experience.
Highly organized and attentive to detail.
Creative problem-solver.
Collaborative attitude & willingness to roll up their sleeves to get the job done.
Ability to work with internal and external stakeholders, including faculty and administration.
Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment and deliver results.

Benefits

Healthcare Benefits GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.

The George Washington University

The George Washington University, an independent academic institution chartered by the Congress of the United States in 1821, dedicates itself to furthering human well-being. The University values a dynamic, student-focused community stimulated by cultural and intellectual diversity and built upon a foundation of integrity, creativity, and openness to the exploration of new ideas.The George Washington University, centered in the national and international crossroads of Washington, D.C., commits itself to excellence in the creation, dissemination, and application of knowledge.To promote the process of lifelong learning from both global and integrative perspectives, the University provides a stimulating intellectual environment for its diverse students and faculty. By fostering excellence in teaching, the University offers outstanding learning experiences for full-time and part-time students in undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in Washington, D.C., the nation, and abroad. As a center for intellectual inquiry and research, the University emphasizes the linkage between basic and applied scholarship, insisting that the practical be grounded in knowledge and theory. The University acts as a catalyst for creativity in the arts, the sciences, and professions by encouraging interaction among its students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the communities it serves.The George Washington University draws upon the rich array of resources from the National Capital Area to enhance its educational endeavors. In return, the University, through its students, faculty, staff, and alumni, contributes talent and knowledge to improve the quality of life in metropolitan Washington, D.C.

Washington, District of Columbia, USA

12K employees (517 in marketing)

www.gwu.edu