Career Center

Scheduled Hours

37.5

Position Summary

Promote Washington Universityâ™s reputation as a driver of scientific research, thought leadership, scientific innovation/education through proactive PR, storytelling and other outreach. Primary coverage responsibilities are the McKelvey School of Engineering and its related centers, institutes and programs and the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences in Arts & Sciences.

Job Description

This position is located in an office and campus environment. News directors may be called upon to respond to media queries or other events after hours.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Write and proactively pitch and place stories through strategic, targeted outreach to international, national, regional, trade and local media. Identify stories and other opportunities to promote messaging in support of science themes, write and produce text, multimedia and other content in support of strategic messaging points in science and potentially other areas. Use university channels (Newsroom, Record, social media, web) to share content with campus and community audiences.
• Identify and position thought leaders within respective areas to serve as media experts; produce content and supporting materials for use in pitches; pitch and place experts. Provide leadership, guidance and support for op-ed placement.
• Provide strategic communications counsel to schools and campus partners, identifying and facilitating opportunities for collaboration with University Marketing & Communications.
• Monitor and report media placements; contribute to overall media monitoring, reporting and measurement strategy.
• Other duties in support of PR/media relations functions.

Applicant Special Instructions

Please include a cover letter and resume.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in science.
• Six to ten yearsâ™ experience in public relations, media relations, journalism and/or strategic communications, with emphasis on sciences.
• Strong track record of success in writing and reporting on science, and/or developing media pitches and placing stories that highlight science.
• Strong communicator, skilled in building relationships.
• Independent self-starter, highly motivated.
• Enthusiastic learner interested in participating in vibrant academic community.
• Knowledge of news media and ability to communicate with media representatives.
• Excellent oral, written and listening communication skills.
• Strong time-management and organization skills.
• Ability to handle multiple projects in a deadline-driven, highly detail-oriented environment.
• Ability to manage graduate students and/or free-lancers for content and promotion; potentially lead campus Science Writing monthly meetings.

Required Qualifications

Bachelorâ™s degree in marketing, communications, or related degree and five years related experience or equivalent education/experience to equal nine years.

Grade

G12

Salary Range

$55,600.00 - $94,900.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO/AA Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the Universityâ™s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement

Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment â“ fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.

Applicant Instructions

When you are ready to apply, creating an account only takes a minute. Your account creates a candidate home page which we will use to communicate with you and allows you to apply for jobs and view your application statuses. The first page of the application offers two âœQuick Apply❠options. Quick Apply allows you to either use a previous application or create a new application using a resume to populate the work experience and education sections of your job application. If using a resume to populate your application, check to ensure the application fields populated accurately. You may skip the âœQuick Apply❠page by clicking âœNext❠at the bottom of the page. Documents may be uploaded in the My Experience section of the application. You also have the option to apply with a LinkedIn feature, which allows you to apply by using your LinkedIn profile to populate some of the job application fields.

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