Director of Media and Public Relations

Binghamton University•Binghamton, NY

About The Position

Binghamton University's Division of Communications and Marketing seeks a Director of Media and Public Relations to develop and lead media strategies that enhance the University's reputation as a premier public research university. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Communications, the Director will work closely with University Communications staff and communications professionals across Binghamton's schools and administrative units.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, English or a related field.
At least five years of professional experience in media strategy, public relations, journalism, communications or content production.
Experience developing strategic media approaches and translating complex subjects into pitches for national news media.
Professional experience writing and editing content for news media and external audiences.
Experience building relationships with journalists and securing media coverage.

Nice To Haves

Professional experience working in higher education, research communications or a similarly complex organization.
Experience promoting faculty expertise, academic research or other complex subject matter to news media.
Experience providing media training or preparing individuals for interviews.
Experience with crisis communications and online issue management.
Experience using media monitoring, media inquiry or distribution platforms such as Qwoted, Newswise or comparable services.
Experience creating or coordinating multimedia and visual content.
Experience using media analytics to measure and report the impact of communications efforts.
Familiarity with content-marketing strategies and emerging media relations technologies.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement strategic media relations plans that promote University initiatives, faculty expertise, research, students, programs and events.
Write, edit, approve and distribute news releases, media pitches, op-eds, scripts, articles, blog posts and multimedia content.
Build and maintain relationships with local and national journalists, media outlets and influencers.
Pitch stories and oversee the media-pitching process for local and national news outlets.
Monitor media services and respond to requests for faculty experts, statements and interviews.
Collaborate with faculty members to translate complex research into compelling stories for broad audiences.
Provide media training and communications support to faculty members.
Monitor emerging issues, coordinate responses and assist with crisis communications and online reputation management.
Track media coverage, evaluate the effectiveness of communications efforts and provide reports and impact analyses to stakeholders.
Assist student content creators with developing and editing news stories, blogs, press releases, social media posts and related content.
Create or coordinate visual and multimedia content for social media and news distribution.
Stay current on media relations trends, best practices, social media listening tools and emerging communications technologies.