Howard University
Director of Media Relations
Howard University, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff "for fit" makes significant contributions to Howard University's overall mission.
At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.
Here is what we offer:
Health & Wellness:
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health supportWork-Life Balance:
PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangementsFinancial Wellness:
Competitive salary, 403(b) with company matchProfessional Development:
Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement pathsAdditional Perks:
Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company cultureJoin Howard University and thrive with us!
https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness
BASIC FUNCTION:
The Director of Media Relations, reporting directly to the Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Strategic Communications, Media Relations and Editorial Services and Chief Communications Officer, is responsible for developing and managing proactive and reactive media relations strategies to enhance the University's reputation locally, nationally and internationally. The successful candidate plays a key role in planning, directing and managing communications strategies under the leadership of the Vice President and Chief Communications Officer and AVP, and has an extraordinary opportunity to shape and lead efforts that will promote and increase visibility in support of Howard's mission, vision and goals.
The ideal candidate will be a collaborative and engaging self-starter with a passion for Howard's mission and a demonstrated track record of success cultivating positive stories and shaping public discourse in print, digital/online and broadcast media. Thinking and acting strategically and with superb strategic insight and judgment, he/she will lead a team of professionals who will develop content reflecting the University's brand and strategic objectives and employ a wide range of media relations tactics and tools to ensure that our messages and stories reach target audiences and have impact.
Serving as a lead point of contact for the media, the Director will develop strategies to effectively engage the news media, help develop and manage a media policy for the University, as well as develop strategic media plans that include institutional positioning, key messaging, media outreach, issues management, and crisis communications. He/she will be a results oriented and adept manager who is also a strong leader capable of managing, motivating, training and coaching staff and on whom peers will depend for collaborative strategy development and guidance.
The incumbent is a strategic thinker who can plan and execute strategies and tactics, and make course corrections to achieve a desired and effective outcome.
SUPERVISORY ACCOUNTABILITY:
Responsible for supervision of the Media Relations Team.
NATURE AND SCOPE:
The incumbent will work across the enterprise to advance storytelling and brand awareness efforts. This includes, but is not limited to, members of Cabinet, Academic Deans, senior Administrators, Staff and Students. External contacts include alumni, local officials, "friends" of the Institution and the public writ large.
SUPERVISORY ROLE:
Manages the Media Relations team and oversees their progress and success.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Serves as one of the University's lead point of contact for broadcast, print and online news media. Develops and maintains positive ongoing relationships with reporters.Advises the Vice President/CCO and AVP as appropriate on critical issues, trending topics and emerging opportunities.Contributes to the development implementation and analysis of a campus-wide integrated strategic communications plan, rapid response plans and crisis communications plans.Collaborates with the AVP to develops and execute timely and concise strategies to elevate faculty profiles.Develops and maintains a catalogue of stories (story bank) to augment University storytelling and public speaking engagements by the President and Administration officials.Builds capacity for and executes multi-media programs for the University, including storytelling initiatives across a variety communications channels.Develops enterprise stories to pitch to media.Arrange and manage press interviews for leadership, to include pre-interview preparations and post interview follow up.Develops and edits press materials, including: advisories, releases, media packets, talking points, and other media content to support media outreach and storytelling.Supports the development of media training for the President, Cabinet Officers, deans and on occasion other senior leadership, as required.Organizes and manages University press events, including messaging and development of communications materials.Serves as the lead liaison to University student press (The Hilltop, Cover2Cover, etc.).Responds to media inquiries during and after University Office hours.Contributes to strategic content planning and alignment across OUC divisionsEnsures compliance with Media Policy across the enterprise; develops new recommendations for University news opportunities, as needed.Oversees news monitoring services and daily news clips collection and distribution.Develops monthly dashboard of analytics, activities and accomplishments.Performs other related work as required.CORE COMPETENCIES:
Experience with and knowledge of media outlets that cover issues germane to Howard University, higher education in general and historically Black colleges and universities.Excellent oral and written communications skills, including news and promotional writing skills.Strong writing and editing skills; must be proficient in AP Style.Solid Media Relations instincts, with proven track record of media relations success.Proven ability to juggle multiple priorities and meet deadlines.Excellent organizational and time management skills.Collaborative, team-player.Ability to establish priorities, meet deadlines and deliver quality customer service.Ability to think critically and analytically.Adaptable; ability to work independently and across teams.Track record of using good judgment, exercising integrity, and making sound decisions that demonstrate problem solving ability, adaptability and responsiveness to change.Able to artfully and rapidly devise and execute strategic, timely and rapid response in a crisis communication situation.Demonstrated attention to detail to ensure accuracy of information.Ability to work outside of regular University Office hours.Ability to establish and maintain effective and harmonious work relations with faculty, staff, students and the public, and work effectively with people from a variety of culturally diverse backgrounds.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor's degree; masters preferred. Must have a minimum of ten years of full-time professional, management experience in progressively responsible positions in communications, media relations, journalism or related fields. Higher education or experience within large complex institutions preferred.
Compliance Salary Range Disclosure
Expected Pay Range: $118,181 - $130,000
At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.
Here is what we offer:
Health & Wellness:
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health supportWork-Life Balance:
PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangementsFinancial Wellness:
Competitive salary, 403(b) with company matchProfessional Development:
Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement pathsAdditional Perks:
Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company cultureJoin Howard University and thrive with us!
https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness
BASIC FUNCTION:
The Director of Media Relations, reporting directly to the Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Strategic Communications, Media Relations and Editorial Services and Chief Communications Officer, is responsible for developing and managing proactive and reactive media relations strategies to enhance the University's reputation locally, nationally and internationally. The successful candidate plays a key role in planning, directing and managing communications strategies under the leadership of the Vice President and Chief Communications Officer and AVP, and has an extraordinary opportunity to shape and lead efforts that will promote and increase visibility in support of Howard's mission, vision and goals.
The ideal candidate will be a collaborative and engaging self-starter with a passion for Howard's mission and a demonstrated track record of success cultivating positive stories and shaping public discourse in print, digital/online and broadcast media. Thinking and acting strategically and with superb strategic insight and judgment, he/she will lead a team of professionals who will develop content reflecting the University's brand and strategic objectives and employ a wide range of media relations tactics and tools to ensure that our messages and stories reach target audiences and have impact.
Serving as a lead point of contact for the media, the Director will develop strategies to effectively engage the news media, help develop and manage a media policy for the University, as well as develop strategic media plans that include institutional positioning, key messaging, media outreach, issues management, and crisis communications. He/she will be a results oriented and adept manager who is also a strong leader capable of managing, motivating, training and coaching staff and on whom peers will depend for collaborative strategy development and guidance.
The incumbent is a strategic thinker who can plan and execute strategies and tactics, and make course corrections to achieve a desired and effective outcome.
SUPERVISORY ACCOUNTABILITY:
Responsible for supervision of the Media Relations Team.
NATURE AND SCOPE:
The incumbent will work across the enterprise to advance storytelling and brand awareness efforts. This includes, but is not limited to, members of Cabinet, Academic Deans, senior Administrators, Staff and Students. External contacts include alumni, local officials, "friends" of the Institution and the public writ large.
SUPERVISORY ROLE:
Manages the Media Relations team and oversees their progress and success.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Serves as one of the University's lead point of contact for broadcast, print and online news media. Develops and maintains positive ongoing relationships with reporters.Advises the Vice President/CCO and AVP as appropriate on critical issues, trending topics and emerging opportunities.Contributes to the development implementation and analysis of a campus-wide integrated strategic communications plan, rapid response plans and crisis communications plans.Collaborates with the AVP to develops and execute timely and concise strategies to elevate faculty profiles.Develops and maintains a catalogue of stories (story bank) to augment University storytelling and public speaking engagements by the President and Administration officials.Builds capacity for and executes multi-media programs for the University, including storytelling initiatives across a variety communications channels.Develops enterprise stories to pitch to media.Arrange and manage press interviews for leadership, to include pre-interview preparations and post interview follow up.Develops and edits press materials, including: advisories, releases, media packets, talking points, and other media content to support media outreach and storytelling.Supports the development of media training for the President, Cabinet Officers, deans and on occasion other senior leadership, as required.Organizes and manages University press events, including messaging and development of communications materials.Serves as the lead liaison to University student press (The Hilltop, Cover2Cover, etc.).Responds to media inquiries during and after University Office hours.Contributes to strategic content planning and alignment across OUC divisionsEnsures compliance with Media Policy across the enterprise; develops new recommendations for University news opportunities, as needed.Oversees news monitoring services and daily news clips collection and distribution.Develops monthly dashboard of analytics, activities and accomplishments.Performs other related work as required.CORE COMPETENCIES:
Experience with and knowledge of media outlets that cover issues germane to Howard University, higher education in general and historically Black colleges and universities.Excellent oral and written communications skills, including news and promotional writing skills.Strong writing and editing skills; must be proficient in AP Style.Solid Media Relations instincts, with proven track record of media relations success.Proven ability to juggle multiple priorities and meet deadlines.Excellent organizational and time management skills.Collaborative, team-player.Ability to establish priorities, meet deadlines and deliver quality customer service.Ability to think critically and analytically.Adaptable; ability to work independently and across teams.Track record of using good judgment, exercising integrity, and making sound decisions that demonstrate problem solving ability, adaptability and responsiveness to change.Able to artfully and rapidly devise and execute strategic, timely and rapid response in a crisis communication situation.Demonstrated attention to detail to ensure accuracy of information.Ability to work outside of regular University Office hours.Ability to establish and maintain effective and harmonious work relations with faculty, staff, students and the public, and work effectively with people from a variety of culturally diverse backgrounds.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor's degree; masters preferred. Must have a minimum of ten years of full-time professional, management experience in progressively responsible positions in communications, media relations, journalism or related fields. Higher education or experience within large complex institutions preferred.
Compliance Salary Range Disclosure
Expected Pay Range: $118,181 - $130,000