Public Relations Specialist

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Public Relations Specialist

St. John Fisher University is an independent, liberal arts institution that provides a transformative education to approximately 3,800 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students each year. Across its five Schools, Fisher offers nearly 40 majors in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, business, education, and nursing; 11 pre-professional programs; and master’s and doctoral programs in business, nursing, education, pharmacy, and public health.

The University’s residential campus boasts a robust living and learning community and a successful intercollegiate athletics program. Fisher is a community where all are welcome, regardless of religious or cultural background.

The University continues to honor its founders, the Congregation of St. Basil, by embracing their motto, “Teach Me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge.” We are located in Pittsford, N.Y., seven miles outside of the city of Rochester. The campus is situated on 164 park-like acres—a beautiful setting for a warm, friendly campus community.

The public relations specialist advances the University’s visibility and reputation by building relationships with media, crafting compelling narratives, and promoting institutional achievements. This role is responsible for developing and executing PR strategies that highlight student, faculty, staff, and alumni successes, as well as institutional initiatives, while ensuring alignment with the University’s mission and brand. This position plays a key role in advancing the mission and reputation of the University by crafting clear and strategic content for diverse audiences.

• Responsible for creation of Fisher News Highlights (weekly online newsletter), The Beak This Week (weekly online events digest), and Fisher Family News (bimonthly parent newsletter), and a host of department/school-based newsletters. Material for these publications is gleaned from frequent contact with the University’s schools, departments, faculty, and student organizations.
• Cultivate relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets, and serve as main point of contact for media, interacting with them on a day-to-day basis.
• Coordinate and staff interviews, press conferences, and media events.
• Manage University media monitoring and distribution service, and monitor media coverage; provide analysis and monthly reporting to leadership.
• Oversee and maintain the News & Events section and on the University website and on the intranet, including “This Week at Fisher” with news releases, campus updates, and photos.
• Manage online Events calendar on public website as well as University intranet, and maintain admissions events and visit opportunities online.
• Identify and develop stories that showcase academic programs, research, and community impact.
• Independently and proactively write news releases, media advisories, pitches, feature stories, and op ed pieces and promotes them through targeted outreach to local media outlets.
• Maintain the online experts directory and proactively pitch faculty and administrators as subject matter experts to members of the press.
• Work with multimedia producer to create and develop social media content calendar; assist with management of University social media channels.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications colleagues to amplify stories across digital and print platforms.
• Serve on the Emergency Response Team and assist in communication efforts in crisis and/or emergency situations.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field.
• 5-7 years of professional experience in PR, media relations, or strategic communications; higher education or nonprofit experience preferred.
• Exceptional writing, editing, storytelling, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to secure media placements and manage press…