Media Relations Analyst

University of Chicago

About the Department:

The Office of Communications focuses on building the brand, enhancing the reputation and growing public understanding of the University of Chicago, where rigorous inquiry shapes fields, creates a transformative education and experience, and confronts the most important problems of our time. The communications team in collaboration with UChicago Creative, the University’s in-house creative agency, specializes in content creation, media relations, public affairs, brand strategy, and video and audio production for the University, while serving as a communication partner and center of excellence across UChicago.

https://www.uchicago.edu/


Position Details

Media Relations Analyst
Job
Full-time
4/14/2022
Chicago Illinois
Chicago, IL

Job Summary:

The Media Relations Analyst will support the University of Chicago’s proactive engagement with reporters, editors and producers at news organizations around the world. This position is part of a fast-moving, collaborative team that works to tell stories about faculty experts, new research and ground-breaking discoveries taking place at the University of Chicago – one of the world’s leading research universities. This person will use databases and other tools to research news organizations and determine which outlets and reporters might be most likely to cover a particular event or story. Responsibilities include building and updating targeted media lists, distributing story pitches and news releases, assisting senior staff in replying to media requests, and helping to run press conferences.

A key part of this person’s responsibilities will be managing our media tracking software, such as Meltwater or Cision, and using that software to analyze metrics, measure the impact of media campaigns, and contribute to quarterly reports. This role will help update University websites aimed at news media and ensure that faculty bios are kept current. This task requires a high degree of professionalism in coordinating with faculty and staff from across the university.

The ideal candidate for this position is a fast worker and skillful writer who learns quickly, is detail-oriented, can take direction, uses good judgment, and balances multiple projects at once.

Responsibilities:

  • Researches media contacts and builds lists of reporters. 
  • Sends press releases and story pitches, and follows up with phone calls to reporters and editors. 
  • Builds faculty bio pages for the University website. 
  • Tracks metrics and contributes to quarterly reports. 
  • Updates the Media Resources site. 
  • Writes media pitches and releases, as needed. 
  • Creates the Monday Outlook, a weekly email that highlights University experts who can speak on the week’s news. 
  • Gathers and disseminates information designed to keep the public informed of the organization's programs, accomplishments, or point of view, with moderate to high levels of guidance and direction. 
  • Accomplishes assigned duties through two or more of the following: written communications; visual/graphic media, which may include Web site development and maintenance; speeches and personal contact. The incumbent is still acquiring higher-level knowledge and skills. 
  • Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

  • Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

  • Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications:

Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree.

Experience:

  • One to three years of experience.

Preferred Competencies:

  • Work independently with a high degree of initiative, organization and attention to detail. 
  • Work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines. 
  • Strong interest in current events, experience following the news, and a fluency in public affairs. 
  • Write well and quickly, under tight deadlines.


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