ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, PUBLIC RELATIONS, Marketing & Communications, Media Relations

BU's award-winning External Affairs team is looking to add a savvy public relations leader and strategic thinker with robust media contacts, a passion for integrated campaigns and a strong interest in science and research promotion.

The Associate Director, Public Relations will devise and lead the execution of strategic public relations campaigns across traditional, digital, and social media, leveraging owned channels and conducting and overseeing targeted media outreach efforts to promote Boston University research, faculty expertise, and to position BU as a hub of cross-disciplinary research excellence. The role will proactively identify new research, projects, bodies of work, and experts that align with BU priority research areas and strategic areas of importance.

Additionally, the role will provide counsel to colleagues across campus, leading events and trainings, delivering best practices and consultations, and advising on promotional strategies and opportunities. The Associate Director of Public Relations will collaborate across multiple teams, including the Office of Research, Federal Relations, Marketing and Communications, academic units, and university-wide research centers.

The ideal candidate will exhibit excellent judgement and will have a proven track record of successfully working with the media, prioritizing projects that align with strategic areas of importance and developing promotional plans with specific goals and measurable results. Additionally, they will possess excellent written and oral communication skills, finesse at engaging leadership and stakeholders, and the ability to critically evaluate information, assessing news value and strategic importance.

Qualifications:

• B.A./B.S. or equivalent experience in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism or related field(s).
• 5-8 years of related experience, including performing independent work, leading projects and supervising staff.
• Background in higher education, science and/or research communication, or agency setting. 
• Experience working with the media, successfully pitching and securing stories and op-ed placements.
• Superior attention to detail.
• Ability to work with principal stakeholders and clients and to work collaboratively with team members and other departments.
• Ability to describe science concepts to a consumer or lay audience.
• Experience in integrated traditional and social media public relations campaigns and with data and presentations to extract actionable insights.
• Experience working with professors, researchers, and scientists a plus.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.