Cedarville University invites applicants for the position of Assistant Director of Public Relations. This is a full-time, exempt, on-site staff position in the Public Relations Department within the Marketing and Communications Division. This position reports to the Executive Director of Public Relations and works 2,080 annual hours.
The Assistant Director of Public Relations develops and s compelling stories that highlight the people, programs, and mission of Cedarville University. This position manages a team of student public relations writers, oversees the creation and distribution of university news content, serves as Merit Manager, coordinates institutional advertising, and collaborates with academic schools and departments to identify strategic storytelling opportunities.
Essential Responsibilities
Write Stories and Provide Leadership to Student Public Relations Writers
- Generate newsworthy and mission-aligned stories for internal, external, web, and social media audiences.
- Train, mentor, and evaluate student public relations writers.
- Assign news stories to the student writing team, manage story deadlines, and develop students into exceptional public relations writers.
- Manage student schedules and timesheets.
- Review and edit news releases.
- Post news releases to the university website and key departmental webpages.
Serve as Merit Manager
- Utilize the Merit platform to communicate student stories, Dean's List recognitions, and commencement announcements.
Cedarville Stories Podcast
- Write show notes for each episode.
- Post and distribute the podcast across designated platforms.
Advertising Manager
- Request advertising creative.
- Coordinate advertising placements with selected media outlets.
Manage ExpertFile
- Publish weekly or biweekly content to promote Cedarville faculty expertise and generate media interview opportunities.
- Maintain the Experts Guide on the Public Relations webpages.
Crisis Communication
- Assist with crisis communication efforts as needed.
Additional Responsibilities
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, professional writing, English, or a related field preferred.
- Strong writing skills required.
- Proven experience in journalism, editing, professional writing, or a related field.
- Ability to strategically use AI.
- Exceptional proofreading and editing skills.
- Ability to read, write, and speak the English language.
- Proficiency with common office software; Photoshop experience preferred.
- Valid driver's license.
Required Mental/Physical Abilities
- Ability to type with keyboard proficiency.
- Ability to read and proofread with exceptional accuracy.
- Ability to hear and discern spoken communication during interviews conducted by phone or in person.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Ability to organize, prioritize, and complete assignments with minimal supervision.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
