Director of Media Relations, Deputy University Spokesperson

Marketing and Communications, Lincoln Center

Fordham University

Fordham University has an excellent reputation as a dynamic institution located in New York City.  Founded in 1841, Fordham enrolls more than 16,000 undergraduate and graduate students in its 9 Colleges and Schools. 

• Fordham University offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to its employees, which includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• We offer tuition remission for employees and their dependents 
• A generous employer match towards a 403(b) retirement plan.
• As a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), Fordham is considered a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, a federal program designed to forgive student loan debt for employees of certain public and certain nonprofit employers.
• As part of its work-life balance program, the University provides generous PTO including 15 vacation days, 12 sick days, 2 personal days, 6 summer Fridays, and holidays that include paid time off between Christmas and New year.  
• University employees have access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAP provides no-cost, professional, and confidential services, to help employees and family members address a variety of personal, family, life, and work-related issues.

Position Summary

Fordham’s Director of Media Relations promotes the University in national, international, local and industry media-print, broadcast, digital, podcasts, and emerging-as part of a comprehensive media relations program to advance and protect its worldwide institutional reputation.

As the University’s primary contact for media relations, the Director is responsible for day-to-day proactive and reactive media engagement. The Director reports to the Associate Vice President of University Communications, supervises an assistant director, and serves as a key member of the crisis communications team

Essential Functions        

• Identifies newsworthy stories and develops compelling pitches regarding Fordham staff perspectives, faculty experts, faculty research, student and faculty accomplishments, and University programs and events, and conducts strategic media outreach to secure favorable coverage.
• Fields and navigates incoming media requests, coordinates responses, and oversees in-person and virtual interviews, as well as filming.
• Maintains relationships with the student press and serves as a key point of contact for all engagement and inquiries.
• Monitors and escalates potentially controversial topics or coverage in the media and support issue mitigation and responses.
• Manages and maintains faculty expert, statement, and messaging database.
• Oversees production and edits news and earned media reporting to be shared across the University community.
• Participates as a member of the crisis communications team, providing on-call emergency support as needed.

Essential Functions Note

This list is not intended to be an exhaustive list.

The University may assign additional related duties as necessary.

Management Responsibilities  

Supervises the work of other Fordham employees who are individual contributors. Responsible for hiring, training and developing, managing performance and administering corrective action. Has significant input in compensation decisions.

Additional Functions      

• Works with the AVP and outside public relations counsel to create and execute impactful media relations plans.
• Partners with broader University Marketing and Communications colleagues to develop and execute 360 communications programs.
• Cultivates and maintains relationships with media contacts and internal clients.
• Attends University events and facilitates media access to campus events and facilities.
• Counsels and supports staff and faculty members with editorial and media relations guidance.

Required Qualifications: Education and Experience        

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Minimum 7 years of media and/or media relations experience.
• Minimum 4 years of experience as a people manager.

Required Qualifications: Knowledge and Skills     

• Demonstrated media savvy, media placement ability, and relationships across top-tier and industry outlets; media placement portfolio required, and visual storytelling examples are a plus.
• Strong writing skills across a variety of formats, including talking points, holding/reactive statements, and media pitches.
• Deep understanding of the evolving media industry and issues impacting higher education.
• Familiarity with media measurement platforms and data analysis.
• Successful candidates should have a knowledge of and commitment to the goals of Jesuit Education.

Minimum Starting Salary: $120,000

Maximum Starting Salary: $145,000

Note: Salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience, and skills.

START DATE: ASAP

APPLY HERE: https://careers.fordham.edu/postings/10359

ABOUT FORDHAM

Founded in 1841, Fordham is the Jesuit University of New York, offering an exceptional education distinguished by the Jesuit tradition to more than 16,000 students in its 9 colleges and schools.  It has residential campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, a campus in West Harrison, N.Y., the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk, N.Y., and the London Centre in the United Kingdom. 

Fordham University is committed to excellence through diversity and welcomes candidates of all backgrounds.

Fordham is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories