Assistant Director (Media Relations)
Communications and Public Engm

Administrative - Position - Other

Job Number: 4600149016

Start Date:

Open Date: 01/22/2018

Closing Date:

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Assistant Director of Media Relations is responsible for the direction of all APS communications with the media. Works with APS senior executive leadership team to respond to media inquiries and place stories in local and national media outlets. This position reports to the Director of Communications.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Works with Executive Director of Communications & Public Engagement and Director of Communications to develop and implement media relations strategies.
• Works with local and national media to place stories about APS' initiatives by utilizing key message platforms.
• Serves as APS spokesperson for print, broadcast and social media.
• Serves as point person to manage media interviews between schools, the district and reporters for the purpose of keeping the media informed with accurate information concerning district activities.
• Cultivates and maintains relationships with a diverse set of media outlets and reporters to pitch positive, proactive news stories about the district.
• Manages, implements, and monitors APS Crisis Communications Plan including maintaining relations with key external parties (ie police, fire, GEMA, Georgia Department of Education).
• Advises senior executive leadership team and board members when delivering messages to the media for the purpose of promoting positive image of the district.
• Trains senior leaders, administrators, staff, school board, and teachers on how to interact effectively with the media.
• Write and disseminate news releases, media advisories, media briefs, talking points, pitches and other collateral material for reporters to raise the visibility of the district.
• Arranges for dissemination of appropriate still and video photography.
• Responds to public information requests/issues involving staff, conflicts in policies and regulations, community concerns, parental requests to mitigate risks that may impact the district's image.
• Develops and maintains relationships with public information officers at key organizations and disseminate special interest stories.
• Monitors media coverage of issues, events and trends involving the district and education as a means for further refining media relations strategies.
• Maintains news section of district website.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the appropriate administrator.
• Required to attend scheduled shift during regular business hours as mandate.
  
  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Possess strong verbal and written communications skills with the ability to perform various media relations tasks (spokesperson, pitching positive news stories, coordinating interviews, responding to media inquiries, working with reporters, planning news conferences).
• Able to manage communications during a crisis including media coordination and messaging.
• Skilled at developing strategic messaging to use in various media platforms including social media.
• Proven organizational skills to develop and implement communications plans and promotional events and the knowledge of the latest media measurement practices.

Requirements: EDUCATION:

• Bachelor?s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing or Journalism required.
  
  

WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Five years of work experience managing media relations, journalism, or communications.

Compensation: SALARY GRADE: 133
SALARY RANGE: $75, 798 to $104, 223
WORK DAYS: 254 Days (Annual)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employment Category: At-Will

Reports to: ED of Communications & Public Engagement