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University Communications
Director of Media Relations

The Director of Media Relations is responsible for the development and implementation of a strategic news and media relations program, with a goal of increasing the visibility, awareness and reputation of St. Lawrence University with a variety of audiences, most notably national media. Reporting to the Vice President for Communications, the director proactively identifies and develops news opportunities, is the primary media contact for St. Lawrence and works on special projects that enhance the public profile of the University. In coordination with the vice president, the director also provides counsel to the president and senior staff on matters relating to the news media, the community and higher education issues. The director helps to develop communication strategies and manages communications to the campus community, including emergency and crisis communications.

Responsibilities:
Working closely with the Vice President for Communications, develop a comprehensive and creative plan for news and media relations to support the University's strategic communications and marketing goals. Direct the media relations program, including developing strategies and procedures that focus on building visibility in local, regional and national print, online and broadcast media.

Build and lead a strong, proactive and comprehensive media relations program that aggressively and appropriately brings the story of St. Lawrence and its faculty and students to both traditional and non-traditional media at all levels, notably including national media.

Develop successful relationships with faculty, students and others on campus to source story ideas and create effective pitches that result in media coverage, op-eds, and other media appearances of St. Lawrence experts.

Write and edit news releases, web stories and other related campus communications covering breaking news, campus events and announcements, and other media opportunities.

Post information, including news releases and photographs, and other messages of importance to the University community on the University’s website and through other electronic communications. Manage the University’s online news site.

Serve as a primary University spokesperson with local, regional and national news media, referring media to experts on campus in the faculty and staff, as appropriate, and facilitating interviews and other communications between the campus community and the news media.

Working with other communications staff, particularly the Director of Web Services and Director of Creative Services, coordinate multimedia projects to support news and media relations, such as videos that may accompany web stories.

Coordinate University responses to media inquiries and assist University leaders and others across the campus with media relations, crisis management and related communications issues.
Monitor national media and education trends, especially those with implications for St. Lawrence. Provide briefing materials and other background information to the president and senior staff for meetings with media and special projects.

Track, measure and analyze media interaction to inform strategy.

Work closely with the University Writer/Social Media Coordinator to ensure a creative and cohesive integration of news and media relations with social media.

Assist with writing, editing and proofreading, as assigned, other materials for a variety of internal and external University publications, including admissions and advancement materials, the University magazine, employee communications and publicity materials for special events.

Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in a related field, a minimum of five years of increasingly responsible leadership experience in communications, proven success in media relations and strong knowledge of social media.

Demonstrated knowledge of media organizations and media relations strategies and success placing stories in national media on behalf of a complex organization.

Strong work ethic and unwavering commitment to collegiality, accuracy and honesty.

Great attention to detail and the proven ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.

Demonstrated interpersonal skills working well with diverse colleagues.

Superb written and oral communication skills; sound management and presentation skills; the ability to think creatively and analytically and to synthesize ideas quickly under deadlines; and the sensitivity, diplomacy and flexibility to balance diverse communications goals and needs.

To apply, send a cover letter, resume and three writing samples to Tom Evelyn, Vice President for Communications, at tevelyn@stlawu.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Located in Canton, N.Y., St. Lawrence University is a coeducational, private, independent liberal arts institution of about 2,300 students. The educational opportunities at St. Lawrence inspire students and prepare them to be critical and creative thinkers, to find a compass for their lives and careers, and to pursue knowledge and understanding for the benefit of themselves, humanity and the planet. Through its focus on active engagement with ideas in and beyond the classroom, a St. Lawrence education leads students to make connections that transform lives and communities, from the local to the global.  For additional information about St. Lawrence, please visit SLU’s homepage at http://www.stlawu.edu. 

SLU is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Posted: January 30, 2013

Human Resources
St. Lawrence University
(315) 229-5509
Maintained by Karen Butler

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