About

• American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University Department: Strategic Communications & Media Relations Time Type: Full time Job Type: Regular FLSA Status: Exempt Work Modality: Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week) Union: Excluded Job Description: Summary: The Communications Specialist will support American University’s communications and reputation efforts through a broad portfolio of communications, media relations, and administrative duties. Primary responsibilities include tracking, synthesizing, and measuring the university’s news coverage, developing and distributing weekly news compilation summaries and reports. This position will also field incoming requests from the press, update the media relations website, provide support for media events and media visits on campus, assist with pitches and media advisories, among other tasks. In addition, the incumbent will handle a variety of administrative tasks to support the overall operating function of the media team. Essential Functions: 1.) Media Relations and External Communications Assists the communications and media relations team by fielding incoming media requests, including ascertaining reporters’ story angles, questions for AU/AU experts, topics, date, time, place, deadline, etc., and works with appropriate communications and media team members to coordinate responses. Provides logistical support as needed for events on campus when the media attends and provides support in escorting media on campus, when necessary. Work with other communications and UCM team members to maintain and update media tracking documents, department files and an editorial calendar coordinating communications announcements. 2.) News Monitoring, Measurement and Reporting On a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis, monitors, compiles and analyzes incoming news clips about American University from media outlets. Compiles and categorizes daily news coverage, into one master project database utilizing Cision software, Google News, and other search tools to identify and collect news mentions about the university, schools/colleges, along with divisions. Monitors and follows announcements and news across the university, higher education, in the U.S. and around the world. Writes, compiles, formats, edits, and distributes news compilation summaries, analytics and measurement reports as needed. 3.) Website Update media relations website on a regular basis using the university content management system. Occasionally write web content. Contributes to the development and execution of a web strategy in support of the university and the media relations content. 4.) Office Management Handles a variety of administrative tasks to support the communications and media relations team. Maintains and updates general office procedural guides, including but not limited to emergency procedures, media lists, and various office protocols. Orders and maintains all newspaper, magazine and online subscriptions, and maintains an organized newspaper/periodical reading area. Assists with hiring and management of student workers. Supervisory Responsibility: Supervises interns and student workers. Competencies: Thinking Broadly. Supporting Coworkers. Prioritizing and Organizing. Acting Strategically. Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions. Developing Plans. Acquiring and Analyzing Information. Displaying Creativity. Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: Full-Time. 35 hours a week. Ability to work flexible hours and occasional overtime. Salary Range: $65,000 - $75,000 annually. Required Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree or equivalent. 1-3 years of relevant experience. Desired candidate has strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills. Flexible and comfortable in a fast-paced, newsroom-style office atmosphere. Multi-tasks and meets deadlines while paying close attention to detail. Must be curious, proactive, and have a collaborative and entrepreneurial spirit. Demonstrated experience in Microsoft Office suite. This position requires someone who can be flexible with their schedule on short notice based on breaking news and other departmental needs. Requires clear understanding of what information can be released to the public or press and the ability to respond to sensitive situations with tact and in a timely manner, while working with other university partners. Requires learning university organizations and operations as well as university research and faculty areas of expertise. Preferred Education and Experience: 3-5 years of relevant experience. Working knowledge of news/media industry, public affairs, and familiarity with higher education desired. Knowledge of news gathering software (i.e.: Lexis-Nexis, Cision) and research gathering tactics a plus. Benefits AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options. Other Details Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check. Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university. Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. American University is an E-Verify employer. Current American University Employees American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings. Contact Us For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu. American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities. American University is a student centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world.