Director of Public Relations

Director of Public Relations
  • 495440
  • Atlanta, Georgia, United States
  • Marketing and Public Relations
  • Comm. and Creative
  • Full-time
  • Staff

12 Month Salaried FT

SCAD seeks a director of public relations for Atlanta to be responsible for managing the university's reputation on the local, national, and international stage.

In this role, you will liaise with PR and marketing departments across all SCAD locations to ensure comprehensive and consistent messaging and strategy, develop trending stories about the university at large, and assist in developing special initiatives that will bring recognition to the university and actively advance the university's mission. For specific SCAD signature events, you will create media plans that include key messaging, spokespeople, Q&As, press bios, talking points, and promotion of SCAD students, faculty, staff, schools, or administration involved with these events; and more.

You will oversee and manage interviews and small press events, including writing press materials, talking points, and measurable outcomes that elevate the exposure and recognition of SCAD. You will collaborate frequently with the university's larger communications branch (e.g., visual media, photography, interactive, social media, project managers, etc.) as well as physical resources to prepare materials and buildings with accommodations for all interviews, photography, and videography. As a director of public relations, you will work with various spokespeople to ensure that they are trained in media relations and briefed as new situations arise. You will pitch SCAD profiles and events to local and regional media, regularly update coverage reports for stand-alone events, and develop new initiatives that nurture strong relationships between SCAD and publications that the university targets for placement. Among other duties, you will also send out hometown news releases about student and alumni success, respond to all media requests in a timely manner, and maintain a database of award applications for departments across the university.

The successful candidate is proficient in public relations and crisis communication and has a thorough understanding of the role PR plays in an integrated marketing approach. The candidate exhibits stellar interpersonal and communication abilities as well as a working knowledge of the media industry, evidenced by strong professional relationships with local, regional, and national media contacts. An eye for accuracy and detail as well as excellent time management and organization skills are vital for this position.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited, four-year university
  • Five to seven years of public relations experience, preferably in technology, digital media, design, business, entertainment, and/or historic preservation
  • Must be able to travel

Certificates, licenses and registrations: Valid driver's license

Work Hours: The university work week is Sunday through Saturday. Most offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. In order to accommodate business needs, employees may be assigned to other work days and/or hours, including weekends and evenings.

ADA Tag: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.