Media Relations Director

Media Relations Director

Oregon State University

Department: VP Univ Relations & Mktg (NIA)

Appointment Type: Professional Faculty

Job Location: Corvallis

Recommended Full-Time Salary Range: $115,000-$151,764

Job Summary:

University Relations & Marketing is seeking a Media Relations Director. This is a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, professional faculty position.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for University Relations & Marketing, the Media Relations Director advances the mission of the university by leading the development and implementation of an enterprise-wide approach to media relations that establishes and promotes productive, collaborative relationships with local, state, West Coast and national media. This position leads the media relations team and consults with leaders/administrators, communicators and faculty across the university to ensure that OSU's media relations effort is proactive, strategic and executed in alignment with the university's strategic goals.

With highly specialized professional skills and deep experience leading media relations activities for large organizations, the Media Relations Director advances and oversees all major OSU storytelling and media relations projects and initiatives. This role leads the enterprise effort to place high-profile media stories that advance the university's strategic plan through proactive relationships and outreach/strategic pitches to news editors and producers at leading media outlets, resulting in coverage and a raised profile for strategic OSU initiatives.

Why OSU?

Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS:

• Top 1.4% university in the world

• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined

• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.

• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties

• 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone

• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates

• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color

• 217k+ alumni worldwide

• For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

Locations:

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers a https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/prospective-employee with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.

• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.

• Retirement savings paid by the university.

• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.

• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.

• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.

Future and current OSU employees can use the https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/new-employees/benefits-calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.

Key Responsibilities

70% Media Relations

• Developing and implementing annual strategic and proactive media relations plan with an emphasis on proactive pitching of key OSU stories.

• Develops and maintains relationships with reporters from traditional, higher education and emerging media outlets with a national audience.

• Ensures that media relations efforts and outcomes align with the university’s strategic goals.

• Leads daily operations of university-wide media relations efforts and media relations team.

• Creates opportunities and engages in productive relationships media editors/producers/influencers to advance the university’s media relations efforts and maintains strong state, West Coast and national media contacts.

• Develops and maintains operational and programmatic goals and policies for media relations across the enterprise and facilitates ongoing analysis/reporting and evaluation of media relations efforts.

• Develops and leads media relations initiatives and messaging to facilitate, increase, and advance OSU’s strategic priorities with media within a broad geographic scope.

• Establishes and maintains processes for responding promptly to media inquiries and serves as an OSU spokesperson as needed.

• Provides counsel and preparation to executive leadership and others on complex and sensitive internal and external initiatives, including policy, budget, or stakeholder relationship implications and how they could be impacted by media coverage.

• Develops and oversees the production of news releases, pitches, media advisories, news conferences/media forums and other multimedia as needed.

20%

• Supports crisis communications and issues management with media relations as needed.

10%

• Other duties as assigned

What You Will Need

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in communications-related field such as journalism, English, communications, media studies or writing.

• Seven years of demonstrated media relations experience in a setting such as public information or a university or public agency news service; writing and editing experience for a print, broadcast, social media or web news entity.

• Experienced and sophisticated understanding of the evolving media landscape; strong understanding of contemporary news media – print, broadcast and social media/influencers; ability to establish contacts and develop productive relationships with the media; ability to provide media relations advice to others.

• Prior work experience should include developing and engaging in strategic communications plans that support internal and external stakeholders.

• Superior news judgment, persuasive communication skills and the ability to take initiative.

• Excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills a must. Must be highly organized and show attention to detail. Ability to inspire confidence, earn trust and collaborate in a way that builds relationships.

• Demonstrated understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion concepts and issues as they apply to research and marketing and communications.

• Knowledge of AP Style and journalism ethics guidelines is required.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Master’s degree, certificate or demonstrated commitment to continuing education in marketing, communications, business or business administration.

• Experience serving as a spokesperson for a major entity.

• 10 years of related experience in communications, marketing communications or marketing with demonstrated experience in driving the implementation of strategic communications plans and tactics.

• Experience working with research, education and community programs in an academic environment or large nonprofit preferred.

• Second language proficiency preferred.

Working Conditions / Work Schedule

• Remote working environment.

• Occasional evening and weekend work as required.

• Occasional travel may be required.

Special Instructions to Applicants

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by August 8, 2024. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants.

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:

1) A resume/CV;

2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position; and

3) 2-3 most recent professional writing samples that show attention to journalistic writing conventions, including AP style (upload as Other Document 1).

You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.

Starting salary within the salary range will be commensurate with skills, education, and experience.

For additional information please contact: Oscar Zepeda, oscar.zepeda@oregonstate.edu, 971-349-9637

OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/background-checks website including the https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu.

To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/5404082

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