Associate Director, Media Relations

About the role

The Associate Director, Media Relations position plays a critical role in advancing Fairfield University's visibility, reputation, and public voice through proactive media relations, expert positioning, strategic storytelling, and institutional thought leadership initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute proactive media relations strategies that enhance Fairfield University’s reputation and visibility.
• Identify, develop, and pitch compelling stories involving faculty expertise, student achievement, academic innovation, research, community engagement, and institutional initiatives.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with reporters, editors, producers, and media outlets at the local, regional, and national levels.
• Serve as a primary media contact for incoming inquiries and coordinate timely responses with university leadership and subject matter experts.
• Draft, edit, and distribute press releases, media advisories, statements, talking points, expert alerts, and other strategic communications materials.
• Collaborate closely with faculty and academic leadership to identify subject matter experts across Fairfield University’s schools and programs.
• Proactively position Fairfield faculty and administrators as expert commentators on current issues, trends, and public conversations.
• Maintain availability to respond to media inquiries outside of traditional business hours when necessary.
• Aid in communications planning surrounding institutional announcements, events, crises, and issues management situations as needed.
• Serve as University News editor for the Fairfield University Magazine, compiling and editing University news and providing finalized content to the magazine editor.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, English, marketing, or a related field.
• Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across a complex organization.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Experience with or willingness to learn media monitoring, press tracking, and media database software.
• Critical thinking skills and the ability to assess reputational, strategic, and public relations considerations thoughtfully and diplomatically.
• Commitment to understanding and supporting Fairfield University’s Jesuit Catholic mission and identity.

Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, journalism, public relations, media relations, or strategic communications.
• Familiarity with higher education media landscapes and academic storytelling.
• Experience pitching experts or thought leaders to media outlets.