ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, MEDIA RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

Description

Erikson Institute, the nation’s leading graduate school in child development, is seeking to hire an assistant director, media relations and communications. This position, which is based in downtown Chicago, has primary responsibility for strategizing and implementing Erikson’s media relations and social media efforts. This position will also develop and write both brief news items and substantial feature articles about Erikson and its programs, activities, faculty members, students, and staff.

The assistant director must be an articulate spokesperson for Erikson with the local and national media and the greater Erikson community. The position is part of the communications team and reports to the director of communications.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Manage all media relations activity, including identifying and developing story ideas and identifying, building relationships with, and pitching journalists from leading national and local print, web, and broadcast outlets. Proactively and opportunistically pitch faculty research, Institute initiatives, and stories related to young children and families. Respond to media inquiries in an effective and timely manner.
• Manage Erikson’s social media activities on a daily basis and regularly monitor, develop, and post content.
• Conceptualize, research, conduct interviews for, and write at least two major stories every year, as well as shorter web news items.
• Develop and sustain relationships with Erikson faculty members, administrators, trustees, alumni, and student leaders to develop and implement story ideas.
• Help maintain department records and archives.
• Update web content, particularly when related to duties above.

About Erikson
Founded in 1966, Erikson Institute is one of the nation’s leading graduate schools in child development and early childhood education. It is a private, independent, NCA-accredited graduate school offering master’s degrees, a Ph.D., graduate certificates, and professional development courses in child development and early childhood education. Erikson provides a variety of employee benefits, including excellent health and dental plans, life/disability insurance, transit stipend, matching retirement contributions, and more. To learn more, visit our website at www.erikson.edu

Erikson Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, marital or parental status, sexual orientation including gender identity, gender expression, military discharge status, physical or mental disability, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.  In addition, Erikson Institute provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws (including during the application or hiring process).

Mandatory Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Interest in all aspects of early childhood education and practice.
• Two to five years of demonstrated success in securing media coverage.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with working knowledge of the Chicago Manual of Style and the Associated Press Stylebook.
• Professional familiarity with social media, including Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
• Familiarity with or willingness to learn WordPress web software, simple HTML, and basic photo editing and design.
• Ability to work as part of a team in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to work with people from a variety of diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics, including culture, race, language, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, social class, and abilities.