Public Relations Specialist III, News and Information - Office of Communications and Marketing

The Office of Communications and Marketing at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, seeks applications and nominations for the position of Public Relations Specialist III.

UT is the state's flagship research university, a campus of choice for outstanding undergraduates, and a premier graduate institution. As a land-grant university, the institution fulfills its access mission through a commitment to excellence in learning, scholarship, and engagement.

The Office of Communications and Marketing is dedicated to advancing the university's reputation. Staff members support the institution's mission and goals, promote its successes and achievements, inform and engage its stakeholders, and ensure the integrity of its brand. We craft audience-focused communications based on data, best-practices, and emerging trends. The division employs more than 50 full-time professionals across several cross-functional teams--Creative, Digital, Marketing, News, Special Events, Video, and WUOT 91.9FM.

The Public Relations Specialist III is a member of News and Information team within the Office of Communications and Marketing. The News and Information team works to promote and protect the brand of the university in a two-fold approach: critical communications and issues management, and strategic storytelling and content planning and execution.

The Public Relations Specialist III supports the assistant director of news and information with crisis communications and issues management planning, implementation, and evaluation.

The individual also closely collaborates with the Division of Diversity and Engagement for content planning, development, execution, and evaluation. The Division of Diversity and Engagement collaborates with campus and external communities to create inclusive learning and work environments.

The PR Specialist III is a strategic communicator who works to enhance the university's image and manage its reputation. The position coordinates communications regarding multiple issues both internally and externally and functions as a key contributor responsible for producing written communications to support the university' mission and communicate its values. The specialist values diversity, inclusion, teamwork, and a spirit of collaboration.

Knowledge

Working knowledge of communicating with a variety of audiences

Working knowledge of traditional and emerging media

Working knowledge of issues management and crisis communication

Solid knowledge of branding guidelines

Good writing skills

Ability to assist with multiple issues

Meets deadlines

Strong research skills and ability to synthesize and organize data

Represents the university in a professional manner

Interacts well with campus partners, office staff, and UT administrators

Provides and is receptive to feedback and constructive criticism

Works independently and in a group setting

Desires to protect and promote the university's reputation

ISSUES MANAGEMENT & CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS

Supports assistant director of news and information with media inquiries and corresponding coverage; issues research; and collaborating with campus partners to assist in timely responses to inquiries related to crises, issues or reputational concerns.

Assists with planning efforts for known, foreseeable, and potential media issues

Drafts first copies of public-facing materials and messages

Generates content to reinforce university values

Monitors social media and other channels to anticipate and respond to issues in consultation with social team

Gathers and maintains data on higher education issues around the country and finds visual ways to share that data and how it applies to the university.

DIVISION OF DIVERSITY & ENGAGEMENT

Maintains website content

Actively monitors and produces content for social media accounts

Writes, edits, and proofreads Divisional communications and other assignments

Coordinates, creates and distributes newsletters, annual reports, impact summaries and other digital and print collateral

INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS

Assists the assistant director with internal-focused materials

Drafts first copies of internal materials and messages

Collaborates and coordinates with key campus partners as needed for issues regarding media relations and issues management

Generates content ideas to enhance thought leadership

Assists with developing curriculum and organizing regular crisis communication and media relations training.

OTHER

Monitors accuracy of facts, statistics, and claims about the university

Researches key topics and trends in higher education, especially with regards to difficult, complex, or politically charged issues

Provides on-call support

Other duties as assigned