POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Assistant Director, University Communications
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 5010
GRADE 43
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Director, University Communications
MAJOR ADMINISTRATOR Vice President for Marketing and Communications
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Assistant Director of University Communications gathers and disseminates University news to the news media, develops and implements public relations activities to promote the University's public affairs mission and academic theme areas, and designs, produces, and contributes to the production of various print and electronic public relations materials. The Assistant Director of University Communications assists in the supervision of the staff of the University Communications Office.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or a related area is required. A Master's degree is preferred.
Experience: At least two years of experience is required in positions in journalism, public relations, or a related field that required the gathering and dissemination of information. Experience in electronic media production (audio and video) is preferred. Supervisory experience is preferred. Experience with public relations activities beyond media relations is preferred. Experience with special event planning and implementation is preferred.
Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required, including an ability to write for external publications. Excellent proofreading and editing skills are required. Organizational and planning skills are required. The production of radio and television programming requires voicing of radio and television scripts and editing audio on a digital editing system. Knowledge of word processing is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required. Broadcast production skills and ability to write broadcast scripts are preferred. Web page maintenance skills are preferred.
Certification: Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Accredited in Public Relations (APR) certification is preferred.
Other: The scope of the job requires some evening and weekend hours, and occasional traveling.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Facilitates the achievement of specific goals and objectives of the University's colleges and administrative departments by developing and implementing public relations activities that are designed to meet those specific goals and objectives.
2. Works with deans, administrators, and faculty to promote a positive image of the University by gathering and placing University news stories in targeted news media at the local, state and national level, identifying expert contacts on news events and arranging interviews between faculty and appropriate news media to further promote the University and make it easier for the news media to cover the University.
3. Helps promote the University to alumni, donor, and internal audiences by preparing feature stories for University publications including alumni, research, and employee publications and assisting in the gathering and editing of material for those publications.
4. Promotes academic accomplishments and expertise by producing weekly radio programs for dissemination to regional radio stations.
5. Assures timely dissemination of University news by overseeing the maintenance of the University Communications web page, the faculty/staff electronic newsletter, and the online events calendar.
6. Facilitates internal and campus communications by serving as co-editor of the employee newsletter.
7. Promotes major news events by designing, scheduling and/or supporting special events such as news conferences and building/facility dedications which require knowledge of standard physical setups conducive to accommodating both the news media and University supporters attending these events.
8. Ensures the quality of the University Communications’ operation by developing and maintaining an effective office staff through hiring, training, and supervising graduate assistants and student employees.
9. Supports academic instruction by designing, planning, organizing, supervising and evaluating internships in the University Communications office.
10. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
11. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as directed by the Director of University Communications.
12. Contributes to the overall success of University Communications by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Director of University Communications and the Vice President for Marketing and Communications.
SUPERVISION
The Assistant Director, University Communications is supervised by the Director of University Communications and assists in supervising an office staff of full-time employees, graduate assistants and student employees.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED FEBRUARY 2016