Associate Director, News and Media Relations

At PCOM, we espouse to grow a culturally competent workforce to advance healthcare that touches the lives of underserved communities. Diversity and inclusion is the core component of our institutional identity and a key pillar of PCOM's strategic vision. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine affirms that diversity and inclusion are crucial to the intellectual vitality of the campus community. It is through freedom of exchange over different ideas and viewpoints in supportive environments that our graduates develop the critical thinking and citizenship skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Since 1899, PCOM has trained highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners, and behavioral scientists who practice a "whole person" approach to care - treating people, not just symptoms. As the field of medicine has changed, we've changed with it - adapting our program offerings to better meet the needs of healthcare providers and the communities they serve. At the main campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PCOM), the branch campus in Suwanee, Georgia (PCOM Georgia), and our newest location in Moultrie, Georgia (PCOM South Georgia), PCOM students learn to approach problem-solving in a more professional, more team-oriented manner, which prepares them to work successfully in integrated healthcare settings with other health professionals. At Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine you will be part of a caring, professional, and committed community focused on making the PCOM experience the best possible for our students.

We are currently seeking to fill our Associate Director, News and Media Relations position at the Philadelphia campus with a highly qualified and passionate individual.

Job Title: Associate Director, News and Media Relations
Department: Marketing and Communications
FLSA: Exempt
Location: Philadelphia, PA

POSITION SUMMARY

The associate director, news and media relations, is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive media relations strategies to enhance and protect PCOM's image while mitigating exposure to reputational risk. In addition to serving as a primary contact for media queries, the incumbent oversees public relations and communications activities and initiatives across all campus locations, including identifying and pursuing opportunities for earned and owned media exposure to support institutional objectives.

This position plays a lead role in managing crises and incidents which impact the institution. As such, the incumbent serves as a primary contact for external media and provides internal guidance on crisis management and participates in developing formal institutional responses to such events.

This is a supervisory position with responsibility for staff in PA and GA locations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful incumbent will perform the following duties, with or without reasonable accommodations:
*Perform high-level administrative activities for PCOM's public relations and external communications function, including, but not limited to, strategy development, budgeting, vendor management, policy administration, and reporting.
*Secure high-level local, regional, and national placements about PCOM's mission, programs, achievements, and feature stories in print, broadcast, and online media.
*Lead efforts to coordinate proactive and reactive responses to crises and incidents which impact or affect the institution; serve as PCOM spokesperson, as needed; develop messaging points and FAQs, as necessary.
*Serve as communications counsel for institutional leaders, including the president and members of the Executive Leadership Team; facilitate or coordinate internal training and information sessions regarding media interactions.
*Collaborate with other team members to integrate collateral, including earned and owned media, such as the PCOM Perspectives podcast, into external promotions for PCOM's mission and programs and features on the institution's faculty and students.
*Identify news opportunities and create compelling stories for target audiences; author press releases and media advisories; collaborate with team members to create and publish social media posts.
*Establish and maintain professional relationships with regional and national media contacts at print, online, and broadcast outlets; leverage relationships to pitch and place PCOM-related news and stories with regular frequency.
*Maintain knowledge of news and trends related to higher education, healthcare, medicine, and science; leverage knowledge to recommend and implement data-informed changes to established policies, procedures, and practices while improving the effectiveness of external messaging.
*Manage sensitive information and issues and represent the College professionally to the media and other constituencies.
*Prepare regular and ad hoc reports on department accomplishments and progress toward achieving strategic priorities, including key performance indicators and outcomes; distribute to stakeholders, as appropriate.
*Perform talent and performance management activities for direct reports, including establishing, documenting and implementing professional development plans, performance goals, performance evaluations, and pay-for-performance actions, in accordance with organizational guidelines.
*Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education
*Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations or related field; Master's degree, preferred.

Skills and Experience
*Minimum of eight years' experience, and three years of proven managerial experience, in news and media relations, including progressive leadership roles in developing and directing all aspects of public relations strategies to meet organizational objectives, preferably in a higher education, nonprofit, or healthcare organization.
*Demonstrated record of establishing and maintaining relationships with local and regional media contacts at print, online, and broadcast outlets.
*Demonstrated record of creating news stories and achieving successful placements in print, online, and broadcast outlets.
*Demonstrated ability to manage communication activities during a crisis.
*Strong communication skills, including verbal, written, and interpersonal, with diverse audiences.
*Strong planning and organizational skills, including time and priority management.
*High level of technical fluency with word processing, spreadsheet, presentations, email, and virtual meeting applications, preferably on the Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 platforms.

**For completed application to be considered please provide writing samples and recent media placements.

Salary Range: $90,000 - $100,000

The referenced salary range is based on PCOM good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level. PCOM offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement

PCOM prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, race, sex, color, gender, gender identity and expression, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, sexual orientation, religion, creed, disability, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, military and military veteran status or any other legally protected class status in all its programs, activities, and employment practices.