St. John’s established in 1870, has three New York City campuses; a graduate center in Hauppauge, NY; international locations in Rome, Italy; Limerick, Ireland; and Paris, France; and study abroad locations around the world. The Princeton Review and other top rankings consistently recognize the University’s outstanding academics, diverse student body, dynamic internship and volunteer opportunities, focus on student life, and diverse study abroad offerings. St. John’s University offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs in its six colleges and schools, with a growing number of programs offered online. The University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and 12 other major academic and professional associations.
A dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion is at the heart of our mission. As a Catholic and Vincentian university, St. John’s is committed to institutionalizing practices of inclusive excellence to ensure that we welcome and celebrate the intrinsic worth of all members of our community. We will become an even stronger university as we enhance equity at every level of our institution. As noted in our Vision Statement, our graduates will excel in the competencies and values required for leadership and service in a rapidly evolving world.
DIRECTOR OF MEDIA RELATIONS
UNIVERSITY RELATIONS
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Director of Media Relations at St. John's University is responsible for all external communications, works strategically to promote the University's priorities, core values, and mission, and seeks out ways further the University's brand through unpaid media placements.
Reporting directly to the Executive Director, University Relations - the Director of Media Relations actively works to raise the profile and visibility of St. John's through earned media, pitching and placing faculty experts and student success stories, to help St. John's to attract more students, garner positive publicity, and achieve its strategic priorities.
The Director of Media Relations handles all communications between the University and the local, national, international print, television, radio, and internet media outlets, including the preparation and distribution of all press advisories and press releases. In addition, Media Relations is responsible for the coordination of any press conferences, media interview requests, and the publicity surrounding academic programming initiatives and select University events.
The Director of Media Relations acts as the "on the ground" media person for the four metropolitan campuses, serving as a liaison with local press. The Director also serves as a key media relations contact person for the six colleges and schools that comprise St. John' s, working closely with internal personnel, staff and faculty of each school to promote their respective programs, publications, new initiatives, research, external events, awards, and accomplishments.
The Director of Media Relations manages the day-to -day operations of the Office of Media Relations and manages a team (two graduate assistants and one administrative assistant) responsible for seeking out story ideas and opportunities to promote student and faculty success, new and enhanced University programs, initiatives and partnerships, and the University' s Catholic and Vincentian mission. The Director also focuses on connecting University faculty and administrative experts from the University's more than 100 academic departments, centers, and institutes.
The Director helps faculty and administrators with thought leadership through the editorial process of publishing opinion pieces and letters to the editor. He/she works to oversee and update the faculty expert contact list and database.
The Director serves as a liaison with various internal departments assisting with the writing of external and internal communications. The Director focuses on key messaging to enhance publicity in support of the University. The Director ensures consistent messaging and branding.
The Director also has a role of "publisher/coordinator" at the University, overseeing the editorial, design, and digital content for The President's Newsletter- a magazine hard copy and digital piece distributed three times a year to a wide audience. Each Newsletter, from end to end, is a two-three-month production process. The Director works with a team of colleagues from the Office of Marketing and Communications on the production of the Newsletter.
The Director manages the content and updating of the office's Twitter account and webpage to further promote the University's brand and initiatives through digital content. The Director oversees the multimedia strategies within the Office whereby faculty expertise and student success stories are captured on video, edited, and pushed out on social platforms to gain traction and attention on social and capture the attention of the external press.
The Director of Media Relations also coordinates with the Office of the Provost and the Vice President for Mission to ensure the suitability of potential speakers and honorees with respect to the University's mission and Catholic and Vincentian identity.
The Director also serves as the point of contact for all print, television, and film production inquiries, and evaluates the risks and benefits associated with the University's involvement.
The Director of Media Relations sits on the University's Emergency Planning Committee and is responsible for the Office's role in regards to emergency messaging.
The Director manages a partnership with Rubenstein Communications-a consulting agency in contract with the University. Rubenstein lends guidance on crisis communications, conducts media training of executive-level University employees, and assists in promoting faculty expertise in the media.
The Director is responsible for regularly crafting statements to the media. These statements are often approved by the legal department, the President, and various high-level executives within the University. When necessary, the Director is authorized to speak on behalf of the University in an official capacity.
The Director supports the development of marketing materials, helps to coordinate photo shoots, videos, and email communications.
The Director serves as an administrative liaison to the University's student newspaper, The Torch.
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The Director advises superiors on all controversial and/or critical inquiries and works to propose timely strategies and responses.
The Director manages the office's budget, submitting approval of T&E's and timesheets, and negotiates contracts with media monitoring vendors, making purchasi ng decisions for the office. The Director oversees the creation of the Office of Media Relations' annual report which highlights the media coverage from the previous calendar year and includes the metrics on all media placements and their value.
The Director performs such duties as may be assigned.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
St. John’s offers a competitive compensation program which is commensurate with your qualifications, experience, and contingent upon the departmental budget. We also offer an extremely comprehensive benefits program to meet the diverse needs of our workforce. Along with exceptional benefits such as medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability insurance, tuition remission, generous 403(b) employer contribution, employee assistance program, and liberal paid time off policies, faculty and staff can also enjoy St. John’s performing arts, libraries, bookstores, dining facilities, campus recreation and sporting events.
Any offer of employment is subject to receipt by St. John’s University of satisfactory references, verification of employment and education.
St. John’s University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from women and minorities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Required Skills Required Experience