Director of News and Media Relations

Washington College is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment that builds community as an essential foundation to the success of our students. Members of the Washington community benefit from a welcoming, energetic culture that empowers students and generates impact well beyond our beautiful campus. Staff and faculty enjoy outstanding benefits and the unique opportunity to work in a setting dedicated to personal and intellectual growth. We strongly encourage qualified professionals from all backgrounds to apply.

The Director of News and Media Relations promotes the Washington College brand story to the world through proactive, strategic, and comprehensive media communications planning. Reporting to the Senior Director/Director of Communications, the Director of News and Media Relations will work to elevate the College’s regional and national reputation by leveraging Washington’s outstanding academics as exemplified through the work of our excellent students and expert faculty and staff. This position will also contribute to the content of the Office of Marketing and Communications (MarComm) by writing stories about news related items for publication on the washcoll.edu website and in the Washington College Magazine.

The position calls for a creative, innovative thinker with excellent written and verbal communication skills who can assess news value while maintaining high journalistic standards of accuracy and integrity. The individual in this role will bring a fresh perspective on ways to gain media attention, be well versed on the latest industry trends and technology and committed to collaborating with others.

Responsibilities

• Develop targeted media lists; build and maintain relationships with newsroom contacts through various channels, including print, broadcast, podcasts, and social media.
• Works with colleagues in MarComm and across campus to identify media trends and opportunities that align with faculty expertise and content with broad media appeal to promote with media outlets.
• Pitches story ideas and write media advisories.
• Supports the College’s senior leadership in conveying complex topics to diverse constituencies via op-eds and talking points.
• Engages in message preparation and media training.
• Serves as a liaison of MarComm to units across the College.
• Facilitates the needs of visiting media on campus.
• Utilize PR Management software platforms to track, analyze, and react to media coverage.
• Manage Merit platform to promote student accomplishments.
• May serve as a spokesperson for the College.
• Serves as a member of the MarComm editorial team, contributing stories and ideas to help build and promote the brand of Washington College.
• Participates in MarComm editing and proofing processes.
• Actively support the College’s plan to promote diversity, inclusion, and equity on its campus and in the community in general.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, English or related field required.
• 5 or more years of experience in a field directly related to media relations and/or communications, including a minimum of 2 years of proven experience working directly with the media and successfully pitching and placing stories.
• Demonstrated ability to handle extremely sensitive and confidential matters.
• Experience preparing talking points, op-eds, and other communications with executive-level staff.
• Experience in higher education a plus.
• Experience with PR Management Software, such as Meltwater or Merit.
• Experience coordinating paid media efforts.
• Experience using web content management systems.
• Ability to shoot and edit video and audio a plus.
• Experience as a spokesperson preferred.
• Passionate about editing, writing and grammar.

About Washington College

Founded in 1782, Washington College is the nation’s first liberal arts institution and the tenth oldest college in the nation. Enrolling approximately 1,100 undergraduates from more than 35 states and a dozen nations, Washington is known for outstanding academics with an emphasis on hands-on, experiential learning across more than 40 multidisciplinary areas of study. The College is home to nationally recognized academic centers in the environment, history, and writing, and has a 4,700-acre river and field campus that provides unique positioning for the College. Learn more at washcoll.edu.

To apply, upload your letter of interest, resume, 5-8 writing samples including at least one media pitch, and names/contact information for three references, preferably as one PDF, through the Careers at Washington College portal. Application review begins immediately and will continue until the position has been filled.

EEO Statement & Title IX

Washington College values diversity within campus community and is committed to recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty and staff from racial and ethnic groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in higher education. The College does not discriminate in hiring based on race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. For information on Washington College’s Title IX compliance, please visit www.washcoll.edu/title-ix/ .

Other Information

Employment is contingent upon completion of a successful background check and establishment of identity and verification of employment eligibility as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

It is the policy of Washington College to provide reasonable accommodations. If you require any accommodations to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact [email protected].
Washington College