Communications Associate

Description:

The college seeks an experienced, energetic, and collaborative Communications Associate to support its communications efforts. The Communications Associate is a key member of CCA's Marketing and Communications team, an in-house creative and strategic group that partners with colleagues across the college to inform and inspire audiences by sharing compelling stories about CCA's vibrant community of students both internal and prospective, faculty, and alumni. Reporting to the Director of Integrated Communications, the Communications Associate is responsible for supporting the cultivation and relationship building with members of the media to garner favorable coverage for the college, and for supporting internal and external communications plans that keep our community informed and engaged. This may take the shape of targeted media-relations campaigns and pitches; communication tactics to engage in-person or remote faculty, staff, and students; or broad external communications campaigns that ensure our mission, vision, and values are consistently and compellingly delivered.

The Communications Associate is responsible for cultivating story ideas; developing and maintaining press materials and media lists; managing media relations and research; developing and cultivating relationships with the media; and monitoring and reporting on media presence and performance. In addition, the Communications Associate will contribute to the CCA.edu newsroom, contributing creative ideas and writing stories in alignment with the college's strategic vision and goals. The Communications Associate will also support the creation of various internal and external communications in collaboration with the Director of Integrated Communications and other key stakeholders.

The Communications Associate is an active participant in the department's and the college's efforts to identify and dismantle structural inequities and promote anti-racism, equity, inclusion, and belonging at CCA and in our society. The individual will contribute to the diversity of personal and professional perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences that support these efforts.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

Public Relations and Earned Media - 60%

• Work with the Director of Integrated Communications to develop and implement public relations plans and support communications plans in support of institutional goals.
• Spearhead media outreach, cultivate relationships with key journalists and digital influencers, maintain and expand the college's media contact list.
• Plan and coordinate an annual media calendar, develop press releases, pitch and follow up with media.
• Generate materials to support public relations needs including press releases, institutional backgrounders, leadership bios, project and initiative descriptions, and other editorial collateral.

Content Development - 25%

• Collaborate with partners across the campus to cultivate and build an earned and owned story inventory that supports the college's mission, goals, and brand.
• Write short and long-form stories for the CCA.edu newsroom in collaboration with the Writer/Editor and MarCom team.
• Support the Director of Integrated Communications in developing internal and external communications, including newsletters and announcements.
• Cultivate and promote CCA faculty and leadership as subject matter experts in their respected fields.
• Develop and promote key stories through media relations and the college's website and work with CCA social media staff to develop social content in support of significant news stories and campus announcements.

Reporting, Metrics, and PR Resources - 15%

• Monitor media coverage, track and report earned media.
• Keep abreast of CCA key projects, programs, plans, and topics of interest to shape evolving communication needs and identify new opportunities.
• Manage press resources including press kits, boilerplate copy, press release archives, etc.
• Perform additional duties as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree
• 2-4 years of communications/public relations experience, preferably in higher education or at a cultural organization, or in the arts, architecture, or design fields
• Excellent writing and editing skills
• Energetic, resourceful, driven, creative
• Demonstrates initiative in seeking new kinds of opportunities to raise awareness about the college's event and initiatives
• Demonstrated skill and comfort in proactively building relationships with top-tier reporters and editors, and in successfully positioning subject matter with the media to achieve high-impact placements
• Ability to work well with diverse collaborators including staff, faculty, trustees, students, donors, and outside partners.
• Proven record of flexibility and successful teamwork, especially in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency with social media, presentation software, Google apps, and media tracking software
• Media contacts in the art and design communities a plus