Assistant Director, Communication and Public Relations

North Central College

Founded in 1861, North Central College is an independent, comprehensive college of the liberal arts and sciences that offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and six graduate programs.

North Central provides a rigorous, student-centered education and fosters a diverse, inclusive and globally engaged community that prepares students for action and leadership in a complex world.

https://www.northcentralcollege.edu


Position Details

Assistant Director, Communication and Public Relations
Job
Full-time
12/11/2017
Northern Illinois
Naperville, IL

Position Summary:

The Assistant Director of Communication and Public Relations is a key member of the Office of Marketing and Communications team (OMC), contributing to media engagement and public communication efforts, building and nurturing relationships with media and other key influencers, and generating compelling content for the College’s social media channels designed to build brand equity and sustain the College’s positive reputation. The assistant director also contributes short and long-form content for print publications and online platforms that support institutional strategies, branding, reputation, student recruitment, alumni engagement and fundraising initiatives. The assistant director helps position the College’s faculty and staff as thought leaders and subject matter experts among media and key influencers in the higher education and general marketplace. In addition, the assistant director serves as a member of the College’s Crisis Task Force and participates in an OMC on-call rotation.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Creates pitches and media releases for local, regional and national media outlets. Partners with marketing and communication staff to identify newsworthy, compelling stories and op-eds, and leverages such materials accordingly.

2. Engages in proactive media relations, earned and paid, and supports the public relations structure. Knowledge of Cision a plus.

3. Monitors news coverage and contributes to identifying opportunities for promoting and positioning the College as a national model of a transformative undergraduate education committed to a liberal arts and sciences tradition.

4. Curates social media content and campaigns for multiple accounts including Facebook, Facebook Live, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat and Google+.

5. Stays current on trends in external communications and social media; crisis communication best practices; and topics and trends in higher education.

6. Researches and produces integrated, creative content for all platforms, ensuring the College’s website, print publications and social media channels with relevant and timely news, information and features that reflect the College’s key message, brand and strategic initiatives.

7. Develops content ideas gathered from campus engagement with faculty, staff, students and alumni and attendance at events. Participates in content strategy discussions and applies strategic thinking to writing assignments that may involve long-form and short-form copy and other visual communication tools to support the College’s strategic plan and relevant tactics. Arranges for photos and other supporting elements.

8. Serves as an on-call resource for campus safety, student affairs and other offices, as well as media agencies during crises. Attends meetings of the College’s Crisis Task Force.

9. Seeks out and participates in professional development training, such as through the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and Public Relations Society of America.

10. Works well as part of the marketing and communications team; is creative, dependable and resourceful, and can succeed in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment.

11. Hire current students and graduate assistants to intentionally provide real-world experience, resume-building opportunities and professional mentorship.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Proven experience in creative content for print and digital platforms. Possess excellent writing and editing skills and editorial judgment. Creative thinker.

2. Proofreading skills, with attention to detail, grammar and style.

3. Fluent in AP style and willingness to adhere to the College’s identity and branding standards.

4. Ability to build relationships across the College.

5. Ability to work during non-business hours.

6. Ability to handle multiple assignments and meet deadlines.

7. Ability to work independently.

8. Communication, organization, project management skills; highly detailed.

9. Ability to collaborate with members of the Office of Marketing and Communications team.

10. Understand graphic design process and print production.

11. Knowledge of Microsoft Suite, Flickr and project management software, such as Redbooth and similar software.

12. Knowledge of photography and video production.

13. Experience in higher education a plus.

14. Ability to pitch to ethnic-specific media outlets/key influences a plus.

15. PRSA membership experience a plus.

16. Experience with web content management systems, such as WordPress or Drupal.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

The assistant director will generate factual, error-proof content such as media releases and news stories; monitor the College’s news coverage and identify opportunities for the College to lend its voice in on current topics and trends; and participate in monitoring services and metrics to assess the performance of the College’s external communication efforts. The assistant director also will develop and maintain relationships with journalists and other media representatives, responding to their inquiries and proactively pitching newsworthy content that supports strategic institutional initiatives. The assistant director must be able to meet fast-paced deadlines and collaborate with constituencies on and off campus.

Education/Training:

A Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications or related field is required.

Experience:

One to three years of experience desired. Excellent writing, spelling and grammatical skills are essential.



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