Public Relations Specialist

Pepperdine University•Calabasas, CA

About The Position

The Public Relations Specialist helps establish and strengthen Pepperdine University’s story and brand through news media. Working with University stakeholders and media contacts, the role develops accurate, compelling coverage aligned with the University’s values, mission, and priorities. The specialist researches media interests and trends, pitches stories, prepares stakeholders for media engagements, arranges and staffs interviews, drafts media materials, monitors coverage, and publishes performance dashboards and reports. The position is part of Integrated Marketing Communications, which supports the University’s mission and strategic plan by building brand equity, elevating its national reputation, providing consistent institutional message leadership, and implementing integrated marketing and communications strategies. The specialist also supports established crisis communications protocols and performs other duties as assigned. This is a regular, nonexempt, 40-hour-per-week position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field.
Knowledge of media relations, including researching trending stories, creating media lists, and drafting press releases.
Ability to work on varying timelines and remain flexible in a fast-paced work environment.
Collaborative mindset and ability to work with colleagues within the department and across the University.
Creative energy.
Superior written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent project management and organizational skills.
Demonstrated experience working successfully with peers.
Demonstrated success working under tight deadlines.
Ability to manage sensitive and confidential communications.
Proficiency with Google Workspace.

Nice To Haves

Three years of progressively responsible experience in public relations, media relations, journalism, higher education communications, corporate communications, agency communications, or a related field.
Demonstrated success leading communications campaigns and projects, cultivating media relationships, developing executive messaging, and supporting crisis communications efforts.
Experience providing communications counsel to organizational leaders and mentoring or guiding junior communications professionals.
Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling abilities.
Superior presentation skills.
Demonstrated expertise in media relations and earned media strategy.
Ability to advise and prepare executives for media interviews and public engagement.
Experience conducting media training and spokesperson preparation.
Strong strategic thinking and sound professional judgment.
Ability to lead complex communications initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
Ability to mentor and develop junior communications professionals.
Ability to build collaborative relationships across the University.
Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions during crisis situations.
Mastery of AP Style and higher education communications best practices.
Familiarity with Slack, PR management software such as Meltwater and Cision, media monitoring and social listening platforms, and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

Identify, create, and execute media and public relations campaigns and initiatives that support the University’s values, mission, and strategic goals.
Maintain a positive University presence in the media through news releases and connections with faculty, staff, and media contacts.
Respond to and manage media requests.
Draft, publish, and distribute media materials.
Create and manage local, national, and international media lists, identifying relevant contacts based on beats and related coverage.
Draft and edit press releases, fact sheets, and media advisories in alignment with the University’s tone and style.
Research potential media interest in the University’s students, alumni, faculty, centers, institutes, initiatives, and research.
Act on opportunities arising from trends and media interest in topics related to University values, programs, faculty experts, and human-interest stories.
Support the Associate Director of Communications and Public Relations in enacting established crisis communications protocols.
Perform other duties as assigned.