Director of Media and Public Relations

About Binghamton University

Binghamton University is a premier public R1 research institution in the State University of New York (SUNY) system that unites more than 130 broadly interdisciplinary educational programs with some of the most vibrant research in the nation. Our unique character - shaped by our mission, outstanding academics, facilities, and community life - promotes extraordinary student success, research, and service; Binghamton University is where our students, faculty and staff thrive.

Working at Binghamton University is more than about having a great job - it is about having the opportunity to flourish in an exciting, engaging environment. Our faculty and staff appreciate Binghamton's collegial and inclusive culture and its commitment to excellence, education, innovation and civic engagement. Our diverse campus community contributes to our success.

Binghamton merges rigorous academics, distinguished faculty who value cutting-edge, and community-engaged research, teaching and service, exceptional staff, and ultramodern facilities to engage and challenge its 18,000+ students. Our high-achieving student body represents diverse experiences from first-generation college-goers to international students. Beyond their talent, these classmates share a desire to shape the future through technology, insight, intellectual exploration, and community service.

We are an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, and in keeping with this commitment, we welcome all to apply, including veterans and persons with disabilities.

Job Description

Budget Title: Senior Staff Associate (SL-5)

Salary: Commensurate with Experience

Binghamton University's Division of Communications and Marketing seeks a Director of Media and Public Relations to develop and lead media strategies that enhance the University's reputation as a premier public research university.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Communications, the Director will work closely with University Communications staff and communications professionals across Binghamton's schools and administrative units. Responsibilities include:

• Develop and implement strategic media relations plans that promote University initiatives, faculty expertise, research, students, programs and events.
• Write, edit, approve and distribute news releases, media pitches, op-eds, scripts, articles, blog posts and multimedia content.
• Build and maintain relationships with local and national journalists, media outlets and influencers.
• Pitch stories and oversee the media-pitching process for local and national news outlets.
• Monitor media services and respond to requests for faculty experts, statements and interviews.
• Collaborate with faculty members to translate complex research into compelling stories for broad audiences.
• Provide media training and communications support to faculty members.
• Monitor emerging issues, coordinate responses and assist with crisis communications and online reputation management.
• Track media coverage, evaluate the effectiveness of communications efforts and provide reports and impact analyses to stakeholders.
• Assist student content creators with developing and editing news stories, blogs, press releases, social media posts and related content.
• Create or coordinate visual and multimedia content for social media and news distribution.
• Stay current on media relations trends, best practices, social media listening tools and emerging communications technologies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Sound judgment in identifying sensitive or emerging issues and recommending appropriate responses.
• Effective organizational skills, attention to detail and commitment to deadlines.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively across organizational areas.
• Ability to develop materials for different audiences while maintaining a consistent institutional voice.
• Knowledge of social media listening and reputation-management practices
• Ability to translate complex research and institutional topics into clear, compelling stories and media pitches
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results within a complex organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, English or a related field.
• At least five years of professional experience in media strategy, public relations, journalism, communications or content production.
• Experience developing strategic media approaches and translating complex subjects into pitches for national news media.
• Professional experience writing and editing content for news media and external audiences.
• Experience building relationships with journalists and securing media coverage.

Preferred:

• Professional experience working in higher education, research communications or a similarly complex organization.
• Experience promoting faculty expertise, academic research or other complex subject matter to news media.
• Experience providing media training or preparing individuals for interviews.
• Experience with crisis communications and online issue management.
• Experience using media monitoring, media inquiry or distribution platforms such as Qwoted, Newswise or comparable services.
• Experience creating or coordinating multimedia and visual content.
• Experience using media analytics to measure and report the impact of communications efforts.
• Familiarity with content-marketing strategies and emerging media relations technologies.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, please note that Binghamton University is not an E-Verify employer.

Additional Information

Offers of employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check and verification of degree(s) and credentials

Binghamton University is a tobacco-free campus.

Payroll information can be found on our website https://www.binghamton.edu/offices/human-resources/payroll/

Cover letters may be addressed "To the Search Committee."

Postings active on the website, accept applications until closure.

For information on the Dual Career Program, please visit:
https://www.binghamton.edu/offices/human-resources/prospective/dual-career/index.html

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

The State University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is the policy of Binghamton University to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran or military service member status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or arrest and/or criminal conviction record unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.

As required by Title IX and its implementing regulations Binghamton University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs and activities which it operates. This requirement extends to employment and admission. Inquiries about sex discrimination may be directed to the University Title IX Coordinator or directly to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). Contact information for the Title IX Coordinator and OCR, as well as the University's complete Non-Discrimination Notice may be found here.

Binghamton University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact the ADA Coordinator by completing the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.

Application Instructions

All applicants must apply via Interview Exchange: https://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/candapply.jsp?JOBID=204309

Deadline for Internal Applicants:

Deadline for External Applicants: Open until filled

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the vacancy is filled.

Please submit:

1. Resume,
2. Cover letter, and
3. Contact information for three professional references

You may add additional files/documents after uploading your resume. After you fill out your contact information, you will be directed to the upload page. Please login to check/edit your profile or to upload additional documents: https://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/login.jsp.