SUMMARY: The Director of Public Relations and Communication contributes to the university’s success by raising Queens University’s profile and brand prominence primarily through proactive and effective media relations, writing and other communication methods. This role develops and executes annual communication and public relations plans as well as communication project plans around specific initiatives. Initiatives may include projects that support the university and its academic units, elevating Queens’ reputation for academic excellence and positioning the university as a national leader and key contributor to the cultural and intellectual fabric of Charlotte. As part of the university’s integrated marketing team, the director will serve as Queens’ primary brand storyteller to identify, promote and optimize story opportunities across channels, from external media to the website, social media and magazine.

While some remote work is possible, there is a preference for in-office work at Queens University’s campus in Charlotte.

The director of Public Relations and Communication reports to the Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communication. This position is exempt from provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not eligible to earn overtime pay or compensatory time off for additional hours worked. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Increase local, regional, and national brand awareness for the university by designing and directing media strategy
  • Establish and maintain media contacts with local, regional and national outlets
  • Identify and proactively develop media pitches for university stories that will articulate our brand pillars and appeal to the media
  • Respond to and manage all media inquiries
  • Maintain all university media relations materials, such as comprehensive media policy, fact sheets, backgrounders, leadership bios, etc.
  • Track and maintain clips and media coverage for analysis and benchmarking
  • Manage flow (content, writing, approvals, and distribution) of news releases and event advisories
• Develop and execute communications public relations plans to maximize the university’s reach nationally while also articulating its impact within and around the Charlotte community
  • Refine and execute a thought leadership initiative to position staff and faculty who are experts in their fields in the local, regional and national media
  • Coordinate with the Athletics public information officer and other campus communicators to harness university resources in order to communicate campus initiatives effectively
  • Examples of initiatives include but are not limited to: (1) social mobility initiatives such as the Charlotte Talent Initiative; (2) the university’s ongoing work in addressing and solving systemic inequity through profiling the work of centers such as the Center for Digital Equity; (3) sharing the commitment to holistic health and wellness through partnerships like the university’s partnership with Atrium Health; (4) investing in scholarship and philanthropy through increasing alumni engagement and participation; (5) expanding Queens reach through moving to NCAA Division I athletics; etc.
• Lead and execute an internal communication plan to share news with faculty, staff and students from the president and senior leadership
• Supervise and coach the Social Media and Public Relations Manager

Non-Essential Duties: Other duties and special projects may be assigned to meet department and/or university needs.

Additional Functions

• Serve as part of the university’s integrated marketing team, aligning media and public relations goals with other key priorities such as enrollment campaigns
• Serve as a liaison and link between the integrated marketing team and the faculty to help tell their stories
• Report and write stories for the Queens magazine
• Build and maintain relationships with staff, faculty and academic deans

Experience, Knowledge & Skills Required

• Proven success in media relations with a fearless approach to finding and pitching impactful story ideas
• 5+ years of public relations experience including media relations and writing
• Outstanding internal and external communication skills with great attention to detail
• Must enjoy juggling multiple projects for multiple clients at any given time
• Ability to work in a dynamic team environment under deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication, organization and leadership skills
• Proven expertise in follow-up and follow-through to complete projects both large and small in scope within established time frames
• Ability to think quickly and determine creative solutions to a variety of unexpected challenges
• Knowledgeable of Microsoft Office products
• Willingness to learn web content management and project management software
• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Application Process
Does this sound like a good fit? Click on the green “I’m interested” button and submit:
1.    A cover letter addressing the position qualifications and experience
2.    Current résumé or CV
3.    Salary requirements
4.    Contact information for three professional references

Applications received by January 31, 2023, will receive first consideration. Queens will continue to accept applications until the position is filled.

About Queens University of Charlotte

Located in the heart of the nation’s second-fastest-growing metropolitan area, Queens University of Charlotte leverages the city’s diverse and thriving environment as an extended classroom. Nationally recognized for undergraduate programs in international and interdisciplinary education, Queens blends the best of liberal arts learning with professional preparation and community engagement. Focused on supporting success for diverse learners, faculty build close and collaborative relationships with students and help them build intentional and individualized roadmaps for flourishing at Queens and beyond. At the graduate program level, the University offers innovative educational experiences that help learners advance professionally and retool for new opportunities. Our environs afford faculty myriad opportunities to advance their own professional growth and teaching and research interests by collaborating with vibrant industry, non-profit, and community organization sectors.

Because of our history of innovation and our legacy of strong leadership, Queens is positioned to be among the new forerunners of American higher education. This is a defining moment for Queens. While other institutions are focused on sustaining and surviving, we are thinking much bigger.

Institutions that understand what is needed and are willing to reimagine what is possible can position themselves to thrive and strengthen their market position after the pandemic with innovative approaches that are deeply connected to the world and its greatest challenges.

By 2030, Queens aspires to become the leading, private, national university of Charlotte with deep, meaningful, and reciprocal connections to the needs of our local community and economy; inventive and multidisciplinary academic programs that are connected to the world’s most pressing challenges and biggest areas of opportunity; a fully connected, integrated, and innovative set of experiences that support holistic wellness and wellbeing; a culture of continuous improvement and investment that enables faculty and staff to flourish and achieve their full potential; and a comprehensive approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion that begins on campus and radiates throughout the community.

Benefits

Queens offers comprehensive benefits to eligible employees, including: medical, dental and vision insurance, domestic partner benefits, defined contribution (matching) and supplemental 403(b) retirement plans, vacation and generous paid holidays, tuition remission and tuition exchange, Queens-paid life insurance, supplemental life insurance, dependent life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, flexible spending accounts (medical, dependent care, Health Savings Account), sick leave and long-term disability leave, paid parental leave, FMLA leave when eligible, reduced cost meals at Morrison Dining Hall, employee assistance program (EAP), free access to the Levine Center, wellness programs. In addition, employees may choose benefits such as pet insurance, critical care insurance and legal assistance.

Queens University of Charlotte is an equal opportunity employer and is firmly committed to supporting and celebrating all forms of diversity. Queens does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, national origin, disability, political beliefs, veteran status, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law in the administration of its educational and admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic programs, employment and hiring policies, or other University-administered programs.

Any individual with a disability who needs any reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to apply for a position or otherwise to participate in Queens' job search/selection process should contact the Director of Human Resources at 704.337.2222.

Physical Requirements (with or without reasonable accommodation) require ability to

• Remain in a stationary position, most of the time.
• Exchange accurate information with co-workers and clients, frequently.
• Read reports, create presentations, use a computer system, most of the time 
• Communicate with co‐workers, clients and vendors, most of the time. 
• Write, type, and use the computer, telephone, copier, and other office equipment systems, most of the time. 
• Move about inside the workspace to access resources and office equipment, and attend meetings across campus, regularly. 
• Exert moderate force to move objects, occasionally. 
• Think critically, concentrate on the task at hand, and respond quickly to changes in conditions, most of the time.

Work Conditions 

• Must be willing and able to work a flexible schedule to meet requirements of the position, including occasional evening or weekend work. 
• Must be able to work in office environment while having contact with students, faculty, staff, service providers and vendors on any given day.
• Work has deadlines, multiple interruptions, high volume and can be stressful. 

Nothing in this job description restricts the university’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time; this description reflects the university’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned; this job description is subject to change at any time.