Media Relations Specialist

Required Qualifications (as evidenced by an attached resume):
Bachelor’s degree (foreign equivalent or higher). Three (3) years of full-time experience in media relations and communications. Experience working with reporters, editors and producers at national and international news outlets to successfully place experts and news stories on behalf of a client, product or service.
*Work samples will be required from candidates at the interview stage.
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree (foreign equivalent or higher degree) in English, Journalism, or Communications. Master’s degree (foreign equivalent or higher degree). Additional years (4+) of experience in media relations and communications preferred. Experience amplifying news on social media platforms.
Brief Description of Duties:
The Media Relations Specialist, reporting to the Deputy Director Communications, assists with leading media relations for Stony Brook University. The incumbent is charged with developing and implementing a strategic media relations plan that supports leadership and key strategic initiatives of the University and will be part of the Issues & Crisis team. Incumbent identifies and promotes stories that support key messages; assists in promoting and growing the subject matter expert program; fields media inquiries and manages general interview requests; writes and distributes press materials; maintains media monitoring; tracks and reports on media coverage; and is responsible for a variety of special tasks and projects to facilitate the media relations efforts, including attending events. The incumbent will have excellent news reporting skills, and based on existing relationships, interact with reporters to respond to incoming media requests and secure placements in high-profile national and international news content providers. The selected candidate will have exceptional writing, editing and verbal communication skills with proficiency to write clearly and concisely on complex topics for a diverse set of audiences.

• Media Relations
  • Develops a comprehensive strategic media relations plan for the University, targeting national and international media outlets.
  • Executes comprehensive media relations strategy for the University including list development; social media handle amplification; booking experts in the University’s live-to-air TV studio; includes working with PR firm.
  • Proactively stay informed of relevant issues and trends in higher education, communications and areas in which the University has expertise; evaluate, research and respond to external media inquiries including student media; maintain University Experts database and position and place university subject matter experts in national media to address trending topics.
  • Works with University’s embedded communications colleagues to discover newsworthy stories to develop pitches and media outreach strategies. Conducts media training to University faculty and staff in preparation for news interviews.
  • Helps conceive of and create multimedia features for news stories, including photos, short videos and infographics.
  • Creates news content in various forms that support institutional initiatives to positively impact University reputation. Works with Advancement, Government and Community Relations, and others in Marketing and Communications to help communicate partnerships with communities, corporations, organizations, and third-party influencers.
  • Oversight of media monitoring agencies; develop and update media coverage dashboard reports as they relate to key performance indicator benchmarking.
• Communications Responsibilities
  • Lends leadership to University staff and senior management working on messaging and communications projects.
  • Cultivate and build relationships with vendors, students, faculty, staff, and university officials.
  • Manage workflow of student workers and contractors and effectively set expectations on projects assigned.
  • Participate in after-hours and weekend on-call rotation.
• Other duties or projects as assigned as appropriate to rank and departmental mission.

Special Notes:
This is a full-time appointment. FLSA Exempt position, not eligible for the overtime provisions of the FLSA. Minimum salary threshold must be met to maintain FLSA exemption.
In addition to the employee’s base salary, this position is eligible for $3,026 UUP annual location pay, paid biweekly.
Essential Position: This has been designated as an essential position based on the duties of the job and the functions performed. Positions that are designated as such may be required to report to work/remain at work even if classes are canceled, and the campus is working on limited operations in an emergency.
THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH ONLY APPLIES TO POSITIONS THAT MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH PATIENTS OR PATIENT CARE EMPLOYEES.
In accordance with federal and state regulations that all hospitals and nursing homes require personnel to be vaccinated against COVID-19, candidates who are not already fully vaccinated must obtain the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine within three (3) calendar days of acceptance of a conditional job offer and must obtain any subsequent doses in accordance with that particular vaccine manufacturer’s protocol. Candidates who are partially vaccinated, but not yet fully vaccinated, must complete their vaccination series within three (3) calendar days of a job offer or in accordance with that particular vaccine manufacturer’s protocol, whichever comes later.
The state regulation also includes those who may be affiliated with or interact with employees of a hospital or nursing home. The regulations allow for limited exemptions with reasonable accommodations, consistent with applicable law.
Resume/CV and cover letter should be included with the online application.
Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in diversity and the creation of an inclusive learning, and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.
If you need a disability-related accommodation, please call the university Office of Equity and Access (OEA) at (631) 632-6280 or visit OEA .
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Job Number:
 2301523
Official Job Title: Senior Staff Assistant
Job Field
: Administrative & Professional (non-Clinical)
Primary Location
: US-NY-Stony Brook
Department/Hiring Area: Marketing & Communications
Schedule
: Full-time 
Shift
 :Day Shift Shift Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 
 
Posting Start Date
: May 16, 2023
Posting End Date
: Jun 15, 2023, 11:59:00 PM
Salary:Commensurate with experience
Appointment Type: Term
Salary Grade:SL3
SBU Area:Stony Brook University