Senior Communications Specialist

Carroll University

Carroll is Wisconsin's first, four-year institution of higher education and today is identified as a comprehensive, liberal arts-centered, independent university organized around four major components: the College of Arts & Sciences, the School of Business, School of Education and Human Services and the College of Health Sciences. A decade of dramatic enrollment growth, impressive fundraising, and strong fiscal management place Carroll in a very strong and enviable position on today's higher education landscape.

Located in Waukesha County, an area ranked annually as one of the most highly educated, healthiest, fastest growing, and wealthiest counties in Wisconsin. In 2018, “24/7WallSt.com” rated Waukesha the most livable city in Wisconsin and the 36th best U.S. city in which to live. It is 17 miles from Milwaukee, the state's largest city, and 60 miles from Madison to the north and 70 miles from Chicago to the south.

https://www.carrollu.edu/


Position Details

Senior Communications Specialist
Job
Full-time
3/17/2023
Southeast Wisconsin
Waukesha, WI

At Carroll University, we are committed to identifying and employing strategies to support our goal to be and remain a socially just organization. We seek applicants who can demonstrate their understanding of justice and who can inspire our increasingly diverse student population.

Responsibilities:

  • Plan and implement public relations programs designed to create and maintain a favorable public image for the university. 
  • Research, write, proofread and copyedit university promotional materials for a variety of communications platforms as directed. 
  • Use industry software to research and identify key media and non-traditional influencers such as bloggers who can be leveraged to tell the Carroll story to desired audiences – locally, regionally and nationally. Utilize this information to create targeted media lists that will lead to editorial opportunities. 
  • Conduct media outreach. 
  • Research and monitor editorial calendars in key trade and consumer media outlets and identify and pitch story ideas on a regular basis. 
  • Research and monitor campus-wide achievements, events and activities and establish a regular calendar designed to maximize feature story opportunities. 
  • Use an integrated approach that combines tactics such as research, online monitoring and social media networking to create strong relationships with critical media and non-traditional influencers that will result in successful placement of Carroll stories. 
  • Develop relationships with the campus community that will lead to the creation of a database of expert spokespersons who can be leveraged in the media. 
  • Monitor media for opportunities to pitch Carroll experts as appropriate. 
  • Liaise with media relations and internal stakeholders to respond to media requests and coordinate media positioning. 
  • Write and distribute news releases and media advisories as requested. 
  • Provide public relations expertise and counsel to other campus departments as requested. 
  • Monitor the media for Carroll news clips and competitive activity. Provide monthly reporting to track and analyze media coverage. 
  • Develop opportunities for community partnerships/participation. 
  • Manage layout, content and distribution for weekly internal newsletter. 
  • Attend public, social and business gatherings related to the Carroll University community as requested. 
  • Identify all industry award opportunities and prepare award entries. 
  • Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor. 
  • Serve as spokesperson for the University when assigned. 
  • Craft talking points, speeches and presentations. 
  • Utilize industry best practices to support the University’s crisis communications strategy; research, adapt and implement emerging trends and best practices related to crisis management. 
  • Perform the lead or support PIO role in the event of a crisis.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in public relations, journalism, communications or related field. 
  • A minimum of 5 years’ experience in public relations required. 
  • Writing skills in a number of different styles/tones for multi-media formats 
  • Demonstrated success positioning brands, identifying needs and telling stories around them. 
  • Ability to foster relationships with consumer and trade press and blogger/social communities. 
  • Proficiency in MS Office Suite. 
  • Proficiency in using public relations software such as Cision. 
  • Excellent presentation, verbal and writing skills are required. 
  • Excellent project management skills and strong interpersonal skills required. 
  • Experience with crisis communications and responding to sensitive and escalating situations. 
  • Proven judgment and decision-making abilities.

Human Relations Skills:

  • Ability to work effectively with people regardless of their age, gender, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, ability, socio-economic background, or job type.


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