Director of Public Relations & University Spokesperson - Updated
Director of Public Relations & University Spokesperson - Updated
Salisbury University, a member of the University System of Maryland, is a regionally accredited four-year comprehensive institution offering 62 distinct graduate and undergraduate programs. Located on the historic Eastern Shore, SU's beautiful campus is some 30 miles from the Atlantic beaches and 2.5 hours from Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
Salisbury University is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Director of Public Relations and University Spokesperson.
Primary Job Duties: The Director of Public Relations (PR) and University Spokesperson will be responsible for developing and executing integrated public and media relations programs designed to advance the mission and vision of Salisbury University in traditional and new media. Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Marketing and PR, the Director of PR serves as a key media strategist for colleagues throughout the University. Serving as the official spokesperson for the University, the Director will be responsible for issues of management and crisis communications (in partnership with University Police, the Emergency Preparedness Team and other relevant University officials), development and implementation of proactive media strategies and tactics, management of media relations, development of strategic communications and management of public relations staff. The Director must employ discretion when handling sensitive and confidential information. Working with others members within Marketing and Public Relations and other campus officials and administrators in a highly collaborative setting, the Director facilitates and seeks to shape media coverage of the University at a local and national level.
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Public Affairs, Communications or related field and over ten (10) years of related experience at the highest levels of public/media relations communications. Must be an experienced media and communications professional and strategic thinker with a background in fast-paced media and public relations, government, journalism or leadership environments. In addition to experience in journalism, digital journalism, media relations or equivalent profession must have at least one (1) year of supervisory experience.
Must be detail oriented and have excellent interpersonal, customer service, organization and planning, prioritization, follow through, time management skills. Also, must be flexible and work well independently, and in a team-oriented environment. Must have outstanding communications skills with a strong command of grammar and knowledge of Associated Press style, to include the ability to write for all audiences (internal and external); Excellent public-speaking and presentation skills in front of small and large groups, sometimes under pressure; The ability to innovate, think strategically and conceptually, listen carefully, as well as to influence and persuade others, to include developing collaborative relationships across diverse constituencies as well as building networks; Good political judgment, proven crisis management abilities, and a commitment to the mission of education, scholarship and research; Excellent analytical skills along with an extremely high level of professionalism, diplomacy, discretion, confidentiality, sound judgment, collegiality and problem solving ability; Demonstrated capacity for skillful management, project management, and multi-tasking under tight deadlines. Proficiency in MS Office Suite is required. Must be on call 24/7 and willing to work occasional nights/weekends.
Preferred Qualifications: Prior direct supervision of professional level staff experience is preferred. Public relations experience in higher education to include experience as a communicator/spokesperson for a college/university and experience as a leader and strategist in a large, complex organizational environment, to include providing effective advise to senior leaders are preferred.
This is a full-time, exempt State position with a full benefits package. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Applications will be accepted via Salisbury University's Online Employment Application System. Please visit our website http://www.salisbury.edu/hr/careers/ to apply online. See the FAQs of the Online Employment Application System for more information and instructions. To be considered an applicant, you must apply online and submit a cover letter, resume and three (3) writing samples. All documents that you wish to provide must be attached to your application in the Online Employment Application System. Please do not send any documents via E-mail. Three professional references will be requested and required before the final stages of the search. Candidates will be notified prior to references being contacted.
Applications received by November 25, 2018 will be given full consideration. The position will remain open until filled.
Diversity and inclusion are core values of Salisbury University. We strive to create a truly diverse and inclusive environment where the richness of ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives of our community is harnessed to create value for our institution, today and in the future. To this end, the University recruits exceptional and diverse faculty, staff, and students from across Maryland, the United States, and around the world, supporting all members of the University community as they work together to achieve institutional goals and vision. To learn more about the University’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus, please visit http://www.salisbury.edu/equity/.
Salisbury University (SU) has a strong institutional commitment to diversity and equal employment opportunities to all qualified people. To that end, the University prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to: Humberto Aristizabal, Associate Vice President, Institutional Equity, Title IX Coordinator, 100 Holloway Hall, Tel. (410) 548-3508.