Media Relations Director

Media Relations Director

Texas A&M University

Marketing & Communications

Commensurate

College Station, Texas

Staff

• Messaging – We work with peers across campus to develop, distribute and assess messaging about Texas A&M’s global impact in preparing future generations of leaders and improving lives through discovery and outreach.
• Branding – We maintain the University Brand Guidelines and provide tools and resources for our campus partners.
• Brand Oversight – We oversee licensing, trademark management and corporate business development relationships to maximize their commercial benefit to the university.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as communications, journalism, public relations, or marketing is generally required.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in writing and/or public relations to include: 5+ years in working in journalism for a media outlet and 5+ years managing teams

• A good attitude and ability to work under pressure: Media relations officials must be able to handle the stress of tight deadlines and being the face of the university to the public.
• Strong communication skills: The ability to communicate with journalists clearly and effectively, university staff and other stakeholders is essential.
• Understanding of the media landscape: Knowledge of the media industry, including how news is reported and the different types of media outlets, is important.
• Public relations experience: Experience in public relations or a related field, such as journalism or communications, is often required.
• Familiarity with the university: A good understanding of the university’s mission, vision and key messaging points is important for effectively communicating with the media.
• Strong writing skills: The ability to write clear, compelling press releases and other communications is essential.
• Strategic thinking: The ability to think strategically about how to communicate with the media and other stakeholders to achieve the university’s goals.

• Awareness of and aptitude to understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based difference within group environments appropriately and effectively.
• Skills related to creating and supporting an environment that allows for inclusion, effective intercultural engagement, and personal humility and authenticity.
• Experience fostering and reinforcing an environment that values unique experiences, cultures, backgrounds and goals.

• Professional experience specifically in journalism, communications, and/or media relations.
• Experience with content management systems.
• Experience working in an academic and/or scientific or medical environment.
• Experience with publishing tools.
• Excellent writing, editing and organizational skills.
• Experience managing multiple tasks in high-paced environment.
• Strong communication skills.
• Experience working as part of a team in fast-paced environment

• Team responsibilities – The Division of Marketing & Communications team is dedicated to promoting and protecting the image and reputation of Texas A&M University, while communicating its message and brand to various audiences, including prospective students, current students, faculty and staff, donors, former students and community. Demonstrating A&M’s value to the state of Texas and the world is critical to the function of the division, along with supporting the university’s mission and goals. We cultivate Texas A&M’s media presence, build relationships with media and manage the university’s media and public relations procedures and processes. We also identify, write and pitch the compelling stories that capture the unique character, events and accomplishments of Texas A&M.

• News Releases, Media Outreach, TV Studio and News Clips – The Division of Marketing & Communications uses multiple methods and platforms for storytelling including news release distribution, social media engagement, multimedia production, radio and television. We promote Texas A&M experts on timely and relevant topics and offer a satellite uplink studio for live or taped interviews by broadcast media networks. Our media coverage through mainstream news outlets is tracked through a daily clip service. We are in the process of centralizing marketing and communication teams across the university, including colleges, schools, the Division of Student Affairs, remote campuses and other units. The goal is to align Texas A&M’s brand and strategic focus areas.

• Media Relations – Develop relationships with key reporters and proactively pitch news and story ideas external news outlets. Coordinate daily requests from print, online and broadcast journalists, and arrange interviews with faculty and researchers in a fast-paced high-volume news office. Prepare briefings for the administration on daily news coverage. Write and edit press releases, media advisories and other content packages promoting various aspects of the university. Develop relationships with colleagues across Texas A&M’s Division of Marketing & Communications, as well as at relevant trade publications. Track media coverage while using a news monitoring management tool. Create and maintain media lists. Create and moderate press calls, as needed. Coordinate media interviews on campus, including arranging logistics and accompanying television and documentary crews. Help faculty prepare for media interviews, if/when requested. Work with communications leadership on strategic media and other communications initiatives.

• Content Production – Contribute stories for the Texas A&M Today website, which might include faculty and student profiles, event coverage, briefs and Q&As.Write, edit, and proofread news releases and other types of content as needed and may perform other duties as assigned.