Assistant Director of Media Relations

About the role

The Assistant Director of Media Relations works to implement the university's central media relations strategy, with a focus on elevating Virginia Tech’s leadership, faculty expertise, research discoveries, and student achievements. The Assistant Director reports to the Associate Director of Media Relations and collaborates with other members of the Media Relations team and colleagues across the university to find and facilitate national, international, trade, and high-impact regional and local media opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the regional media strategy.
• Regularly interview faculty members; write and edit tip sheets, news releases, and advisories.
• Develop targeted media lists, pitch stories, and schedule interviews.
• Engage in message preparation and training for faculty and leadership across all of Virginia Tech’s campuses.
• Facilitate the needs of visiting media on campus.
• Work with campus marketing and communications professionals to build media amplification plans and help them achieve media relations goals.
• Assess and show the impact of media efforts in collaboration with the Associate Director of Media Relations and the central metrics team.
• Manage news conferences, editorial meetings, and other media events and opportunities as needed.
• Represent Media Relations interests in strategic messaging and crisis communications meetings when requested.
• Maintain a flexible work schedule responsive to the needs of media outlets and broadcast schedules, including occasional night and weekend assignments and travel for media training, news events, and other opportunities.

Requirements

• Master's degree in a job-related field; or Bachelor's degree with professional experience equating to an advanced degree.
• Professional experience working in media relations or journalism.
• Knowledge of media and media trends.
• Familiarity with media and target audience performance metrics.
• Demonstrated excellence in writing and editing.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities.
• Proven ability to foster and maintain effective, collaborative relationships with the news media and university community.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working in a print, online, or broadcast newsroom.
• Prior experience working in higher education marketing or communications.
• Knowledge of AP Style.
• Experience handling sensitive and confidential information with appropriate discretion.
• Proficient in technology, social media platforms, and current industry digital applications and platforms.