Media Relations Specialist/Writer

Position Summary:

Metropolitan State University of Denver is in search of a motivated media relations specialist, writer and content strategist. The media relations specialist is a dynamic storyteller with effective communications skills who excels at crafting stories on deadline and working with faculty experts and journalists to coordinate earned-media opportunities. Proficient with juggling multiple requests, the media relations specialist will serve in a wide range of communication support roles with internal clients throughout the University.

The media relations specialist is part of a talented and dedicated editorial team focused on tellingMSUDenver's unique story through the media and across the University's communications platforms, includingMSUDenver's award-winning online newsroom,RED. The media relations specialist and writer will also work to develop and coordinate proactive earned-media opportunities, leveraging University stories, experts and content.

Serving as a secondary spokesperson on key communication initiatives and issues. Works with University Communications and Marketing leadership to ensure accurate and consistent public communication and messaging about MSU Denver and it's role and mission. This position reports to the senior director of media and public relations in the office of University Communications and Marketing.

The media relations specialist and writer:

Works with the senior director of media and public relations in developing, managing and maintaining a proactive earned media strategy that leverages University stories and experts to generate coverage that advances the institution's mission and goals.

Is comfortable with and has experience working in an ever-changing media environment and can problem solve to maximize results and overcome obstacles.

Crafts succinct, descriptive and compelling stories in a journalistic style that support University strategic priorities.
Is a nimble multi-tasker, capable of turning writing assignments quickly in a fast-paced environment.
Has a strong understanding of visual content and how it can be best used to support story development, pitches and media needs.

Duties/Responsibilities:

40% Media relations support, including pitching stories, responding to media requests for experts and coordinating interviews.

• Develops media pitch ideas and performs outreach to local and trade media.

• Responds promptly to media requests and coordinates interviews.

• Secures approval from students, faculty, facilities officials, campus parking or other campus representatives when necessary for photography, videography or other news-gathering needs.

• Assists and escorts members of the media who visit campus, coordinating facility access and providing campus information.

• Works with the senior director of media and public relations to gather, validate and disseminate related information including identifying and delivering photos, b-roll and other visual assets to media organizations.

• Works with the assistant director of photography and video production to develop and execute photography and video production workflows, archiving and asset management that support media needs for visual assets.

• Serves as the University secondary spokesperson and works the AHEC campus communicators group to facilitate collaborative message strategy on issues impacting the interests of the entire Auraria Campus.

30% Writing, including daily and long-term news stories, media advisories, website content and other external and internal communications.

• Develops story concepts and writes compelling news and feature stories.

• Interviews University experts and writes quick-turn daily news stories to be pitched to media.

• Write faculty and staff website bios for the media experts guide

15% Develops and publishes compelling website content, including faculty bios and imagery.

• Develop, update and provide strategic counsel on website content strategy, including the Faculty and Staff Experts Guide utilizing content management systems and AP Style guidelines.

• Work with senior director of media public relations to recommend faculty forREDstories and perform ongoing outreach to University departments, schools and colleges to identify and recruit new faculty and staff experts that can help support University communication needs and strategic goals.

10% Media coverage reporting and tracking

• Utilize media-monitoring services to collect earned-media coverage. Tag earned-media stories and post them to the University's website newsfeed.

• Develop daily, weekly and monthly media clip tracking reports.

• Conduct ongoing research and development of media lists and identify new target contacts.

5% Other duties as assigned

• Work with the assistant director of photography and video production to manage and schedule photo shoots while providing image direction.

• Collect information on vendor billing and technical needs for subscriptions and media databased services.

• Under guidance of the senior director of media public relations, schedule meetings and interviews with media, faculty, staff and students to support strategic priorities.

• Works collectively with student intern(s) to achieve department goals and provide coaching and mentoring as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public relations, public affairs or related field.
• Professional writing experience, as demonstrated by a portfolio of published work.
• Experience working in a professional environment both independently and on a team, in both on-site and remote-working environments.
• Experience working in the news media or in a media relations role.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communications skills.
• Demonstrated experience gathering, analyzing and reporting data.

• Experience working with both traditional and Spanish language media.

Important Note: Successful applicants will ensure their resumes clearly demonstrate that their work experience describes how they meet all required qualifications.