Associate Director, Communications & Public Relations

Overview

New York Institute of Technology's six schools and colleges offer undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional degree programs in in-demand disciplines including computer science, data science, and cybersecurity; biology, health professions, and medicine; architecture and design; engineering; IT and digital technologies; management; and energy and sustainability. A nonprofit, independent, private, and nonsectarian institute of higher education founded in 1955, it welcomes nearly 8,000 students worldwide.

The university has campuses in New York City and Long Island, New York; Jonesboro, Arkansas; and Vancouver, British Columbia, as well as programs around the world. More than 120,000 alumni are part of an engaged network of physicians, architects, scientists, engineers, business leaders, digital artists, and healthcare professionals. Together, the university’s community of doers, makers, healers, and innovators empowers graduates to change the world, solve 21st-century challenges, and reinvent the future.

For more information, visit nyit.edu.

Responsibilities

• Leverage public relations and storytelling skills as core Media Relations/Strategic Messaging team member.
• Support reputation-building goals by pursuing and securing news coverage in line with strategic priorities.
• Generate original news stories and blog articles for the website to reach a broad array of external and internal audiences.
• Initiate and collaborate to develop key messages for thought leadership pieces.
• Build and nurture media relationships through proactive and targeted outreach.
• Work closely with subject matter experts and leaders to source and promote research, university developments, and newsworthy experiences and outcomes.
• Leverage digital tools and media services (press release distribution platforms, Muck Rack, Qwoted, etc.) to promote expertise, organizational accomplishments, and research, among other areas.
• Develop pitches and recruit subject matter experts to serve as media spokespeople.
• Share content with journalists and media outlets through a variety of platforms.
• Respond strategically to queries with appropriate statements and information.
• Support crisis communications as needed, as well as other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• Required expertise in media relations/public relations; six to eight or more years of relevant PR/media relations experience is ideal.
• Proven record of successful earned-media placements.
• Deep experience in media relations industry best practices.
• Public relations experience in science, healthcare, technology, or other areas related to New York Tech's expertise preferred.
• PR agency experience a plus.
• Familiarity with and established contacts with national, regional, and local media.
• Strong story mining and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent writing, editing, and strategic thinking abilities.
• Experience with media analytics and metrics reporting, multitasking/prioritization, project management, and crisis communications.
• Must be well-organized, poised, professional, engaging, and deadline driven.
• Adept at translating complex subjects for general audiences, with good instincts for newsworthy material.
• Self-starter with the ability to demonstrate sound judgment.
• Must be able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Experience managing junior employees on projects is a plus.
• Ability to leverage Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, and other platforms as needed; experience with content management systems required.

Other Information

New York Institute of Technology offers numerous opportunities to enhance personal and professional growth and provides employees with a competitive compensation and benefits program inclusive of  generous paid time off, holidays, tuition remission, and retirement plans with employer contributions.

New York Institute of Technology is an Equal Opportunity Employer – All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

In compliance with local legislation as well as to provide greater transparency to candidates, the annual base salary range for this position is listed. New York Tech considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate experience/expertise, education/training, key skills, geographic location, internal peer equity as well as market, organizational considerations and/or applicable collective bargaining agreement when extending an offer.

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