Assistant Director of Public Relations

Company Description Cedarville University is an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in the arts, sciences, and professional disciplines. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio’s largest private universities and is recognized by The Wall Street Journal as one of the nation’s top three evangelical universities. The University is known for a vibrant Christian campus community, rigorous academics, and strong graduation and retention rates. Cedarville provides an environment that integrates faith and learning, preparing students for professional excellence and gospel impact.
Role Description Assistant Director of Public Relations (Regular Full-Time–2080 annual hours), Exempt
University Doctrinal Position All job applicants should be aware that Cedarville University is a private religious employer, which holds specific doctrinal positions. All employees of Cedarville University must be in full agreement with the doctrinal positions of the University and agree to live by workplace lifestyle standards. The University reserves the right to refuse or discontinue employment to any individual who does not agree with the doctrinal positions of the University or abide by the General Workplace Standards and Community Covenant. Employees are to meet the general hiring expectations of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Employees are further expected to maintain membership and service in a local church of like faith and practice the University’s doctrinal positions, consistent with the University’s Church Membership Expectations.
Position Summary The primary responsibilities are to manage a team of student public relations writers in the development of stories about university faculty, staff, students, and their respective programs; assign student news stories and post them on the university’s website; write news releases; serve as Merit Manager, serve as the liaison for institutional advertising, and collaborate with academic schools and departments to identify strategic storytelling.
Essential Responsibilities Write stories and provide leadership to the student public relations writers Generate newsworthy and mission-aligned stories for internal, external, web, and social media audiences
Train, mentor and evaluate student PR writers
Assign news stories to the student writing team; manage student story deadlines, and train and develop student writers to become exceptional PR writers
Manage student schedules and timesheets
Review and edit news releases
Post news releases on the university’s website and key department pages

Serve as Merit Manager Use the Merit software to communicate student-related stories, dean’s list and commencement announcements through Merit
Write show notes
Post and distribute podcast

Advertising Manager Request advertising creative
Place ads in selected media outlets

Manage ExpertFile Post weekly or biweekly posts to help generate media interviews for Cedarville faculty.
Manage the Experts Guide on Cedarville’s PR web pages.

Crisis Communication Assist in crisis communication situations, when needed.

Other duties as assigned
Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communication, professional writing, English, preferred
Proven experience in journalism, editing, professional writing, or related area
Ability to strategically use Ai
Exceptional proofreading and editing skills
Ability to read, write, and speak English language
Proficient in common office software systems (Photoshop knowledge, preferred)
Valid Driver’s license
Required Mental/Physical Abilities Ability to type (keyboard proficiency)
Ability to read and proofread with extreme care and accuracy
Ability to hear/discern spoken words on the phone or in person for interviews
Ability to organize, prioritize, and complete assignments with minimal supervision

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