Media Relations Assistant Director of Academic Life and University Programming

Florida Atlantic University is seeking an Assistant Director of Media Relations for Academic Life and University Programming to develop and implement public relations strategies that advance FAU’s strategic priorities, elevate the University’s reputation, and strengthen visibility for academic life, student experiences, and university programming.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with departments, colleges, faculty, staff, and leadership across the University to promote academic and student-centered experiences, arts and culture offerings, personal enrichment programming, distinguished speakers, community-facing events, and other initiatives that position Florida Atlantic as a leading public research university and a dynamic destination for learning, discovery, and engagement.
• Identify, develop, write, and distribute compelling press releases, media advisories, feature stories, media pitches, society-style releases, event recaps, and related communications materials.
• Build and maintain relationships with local, regional, community, lifestyle, business, higher education, and specialty media outlets across Florida Atlantic’s service region.
• Prepare and submit society-style photo releases from designated donor, alumni, presidential, and university events to appropriate publications and society sections.
• Support communications and public relations strategies that advance the University’s strategic plan, strengthen brand awareness, and elevate institutional reputation.
• Coordinate interviews between media outlets and faculty, students, staff, leadership, and external partners.
• Staff media at events, announcements, press conferences, and other designated university activities.
• Support major university announcements and media events in coordination with the central media relations team.
• Help manage media relations content on FAU.edu and oversee the @FAUNews X account.
• Provide analytics and reporting for web news releases, media coverage, and social media activity related to the media relations function.
• Monitor media coverage, gather and archive news clips, and assist with reporting on media relations outcomes.
• Support internal communications and social media content in collaboration with other communications and marketing staff.
• Assist with updates to crisis communications materials and support crisis communications efforts as needed.
• Serve as a writer for various University news topics, leadership communications, and institutional channels as assigned.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• A master’s degree from an accredited institution and two years of experience; or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and three years of experience required.
• Valid Florida Driver's License required.
• Preferred degree specializations and experience in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing or related field.

Benefits

• Excellent benefit packages including Medical (PPO/HMO $50 per month single & $180 per month family), Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending plans, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and much more.
• State retirement options including tax-deferred annuities and Roth 403(b) plans.
• State employees Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• Sick Leave Pool Program.
• Paid time off (eligible employees) including vacation and sick leave, 1 personal day, 9 paid holidays, and paid winter break (at President’s discretion).
• Paid Community Engagement Volunteer Service Day.
• Employee Educational Scholarship Program (EESP) for eligible Staff/Faculty - Tuition assistance after 6 months of full-time employment. For in-unit faculty, the EESP program may be extended to spouses and dependent children (eligibility rules apply).

Pay

$60,000 - $72,000 Annual.

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Location: Boca Raton