Job detail for Senior Media Relations Specialist

The Office of Communications and Marketing is comprised of a high performing team responsible for advancing the university’s reputation and telling GW’s story through a diverse array of university channels, including digital and web properties and publications, multimedia and web properties, creative services, publications, media relations and paid marketing efforts across the university. This office drives the strategy and tactics for highlighting and raising the visibility of the university’s experts, initiatives, and accomplishments. The Office of Communications and Marketing is currently seeking a Senior Media Relations Specialist. The office combines the communications, marketing and creative services for the university. Communications and Marketing develops and implements strategy and tactics for showcasing and raising the visibility of the university’s experts, initiatives and accomplishments. It manages media inquiries and interviews with senior university leadership and produces print and online publications to showcase the university.

The Senior Media Relations Specialist identifies and develops stories for media, arranges news coverage, and generally provides media relations management for assigned academic departments, programs and administrative offices. This position typically advises and coordinates with university leadership to identify and develop proactive opportunities for media coverage of university experts, announcements and initiatives. This position pitches stories to news media, facilitates interviews with GW leaders and experts, responds to media inquiries, and serves as a media relations representative at university events. Supports crisis communications and issues and campus media requests.

The position works independently and exercises good judgement in pitching stories to news media, facilitating interviews with GW leaders and experts, responding to media inquiries, and serving as a media relations representative at university events, including hi-profile events. Develops and maintains relations with external media, including national, local and student media. Can serve as an on-the-record spokesperson with student media.

The ideal candidate must have superb writing and editing skills as this position typically writes news releases, news tips cutline, etc., for dissemination to the news media and prepares media coverage reports and other information to highlight media placements. Candidates must have a proven track record of successful promotions through strategic earned media relations, and experience as a journalist or in an agency setting is a plus but not required.

This role works independently to conduct research, interviews and writes and edits copy for external media and university media. Writes news releases, news tips, etc., for dissemination to the news media. The ideal candidate has experience managing media logistics for events and a proven track record of developing and implementing media strategies and tactics. Candidates must have experience pitching, writing/knowledge of AP Style, and staffing media interviews.

Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.