Smith College is accepting applications for a Media Relations Director. Reporting to the Director of College Relations, the Media Relations Director, using both traditional and new media, promotes an understanding and appreciation of Smith College programs, issues, ideas, people and events to the college’s various constituencies (prospective students, donors, alumnae, opinion leaders and the general public) by identifying, strategizing and promoting stories at the national, regional and local level. On behalf of Smith, the Media Relations Director develops strategic relationships with key figures in the media in order to facilitate visibility for the college and maintain its strong positive reputation. Working closely with members of the college community (senior administrators, faculty, students), the Media Relations Director will generate interest in and understanding of the role of the media in shaping public opinion about the college.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategic promotion, outreach, and planning: Generate, plan and pitch Smith story ideas to the national media (as well as regional and local media) through personal contacts, telephone conversations, electronic communication; travel to major media markets (New York, Washington, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, etc.) to promote Smith stories to editors and reporters; develop and manage strategic relationships with the media that will serve Smith in the short- and long terms. Oversee Smith’s strategy for and presence on social media, providing content that fosters relationships and builds engagement with Smith’s various audiences. Respond to questions, queries and requests from national, regional, local and international media representatives. Act as college spokesperson. Write and/or edit materials necessary for effective media relations: news and feature press releases, talking papers on controversial issues of interest to the media, op-eds, letters to the editor, summaries (for trustees and others) of key media placements, promotional bios of faculty and staff experts. Convene content creators and editors from across campus on a regular basis to coordinate the sharing and development of stories.
Consultation and Advising: Advise campus clients (senior administrators, faculty, student groups) on media visibility potential of events or projects. Prepare senior officers and others for interviews or spokesperson roles.
Management and Supervision: Supervise and develop skills of Assistant Director for Media, Recruitment Communications Specialist, and News Assistant. At times, supervise a student intern, including assigning and editing news releases and teaching her about journalism and public relations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education/Experience: Bachelor’s degree plus 5 – 7 years of relevant experience in nonprofit public relations or journalism and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Skills: Demonstrated aptitude in journalistic writing and editing. Strong familiarity with social media. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with people of all backgrounds. Ability to use sound judgment, creativity and vision.
Review of applications will begin immediately. To be considered for this position and to review a full position description, apply online at https://smithcollege.hiretouch.com/
Smith College is an equal opportunity employer encouraging excellence through diversity.
