Director, Media & Public Relations

Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association promotes the welfare of and advances the objectives of the University of Wisconsin-Madison by encouraging the interest, engagement, and financial support of alumni, donors, and friends in the life of the University and with each other.

http://www.supportuw.org


Position Details

Director, Media & Public Relations
Job
Full-time
5/18/2017
Southwest Wisconsin
Madison, WI

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA)* is recruiting for a Director, Media and Public Relations to join our Marketing and Communications team. This position will be responsible for developing and executing media relations campaigns to support WFAA events and programming; implementing strategic communications for select projects; providing writing, editing, and editorial consultation for communications that advance WFAA and UW-Madison; providing assistance on select constituent and geographic-based advancement activities; and assisting with proofreading and editing of WFAA materials. 

*The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is the “doing business as” name of the merged organization comprising the University of Wisconsin Foundation (supportuw.org) and the Wisconsin Alumni Association (uwalumni.com). Its legal corporate name is registered as the University of Wisconsin Foundation.

Essential Functions

Assist in the development and execution of strategic communications to drive and support select WFAA priorities and initiatives

  • Develop, write, and edit strategic messaging and supporting materials.
  • Collaborate and consult with colleagues to promote organizational and university priorities and other strategic initiatives.

Develop and execute media-relations campaigns to support WFAA events and programming

  • Media relations for local, regional, and national outlets.
  • Communication planning and project management for editorial planning and pitching.
  • Creation of stories, fact sheets, and pitches.
  • Developing and driving a steady volume of effective PR to keep media engaged throughout the year.
  • Building and maintaining close relationships with key influencers, including editors, producers, writers, and bloggers within local, regional, and national media.

Serve as special editor for select strategic communications

  • Edit, create, and/or coordinate content and messaging for platforms including, but not limited to, editorial projects, background materials, news and features, select alumni-relations correspondence, print and digital marketing, and publications.
  • Write, research, conduct interviews, request data and supporting materials, and participate in editorial development as needed.
  • Proofread WFAA materials.

Consult on constituent communications and issues management as needed

  • Upon request, provide counsel and insight as to best practices in internal and external messaging, editorial strategy, mass communications, public relations, media relations, and key constituent strategies.
  • Maintain and update WFAA’s issues-management resource.
  • Develop a media-management system to monitor mentions of WFAA.
  • Monitor media coverage daily and stay abreast of issues, trends, and news about the university, alumni, and other stakeholders.

Assist with select constituent and advancement activities as needed

  • Coordinate, assist, and motivate volunteers to engage potential alumni, donors, and friends most effectively.
  • Understand fully the mission, needs, and highest priorities of the university and articulate them effectively to alumni, potential donors, volunteers, and friends.
  • Provide select, geographic-based support for comprehensive campaign activities.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, English or strategic communications. Master’s degree preferred.
  • Five to seven years of experience in journalism, publications, corporate communications or editing; experience in higher education advancement and demonstrated ability to work independently preferred.
  • Personal computer, word processing, online applications, design software, project management software.
  • Outstanding written and overall communication skills.
  • Demonstrated creativity.
  • Accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Knowledge of both Chicago Style and AP Style.
  • Decision making and problem solving.
  • Project management.
  • Ability to work independently and make sound judgments about all areas of performance without close day-to-day supervision.
  • Ability to effectively communicate with diverse individuals at all levels across the university and select constituencies.
  • Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion at all times.
  • Ability to conduct research from primary and secondary sources.
  • Strong sense of accountability, knowledge of and passion for key issues.
  • Knowledge of and passion for UW-Madison and higher education.

This is an exempt, full-time position reporting to the Vice President of Communications. We offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefit program.



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