Communications Specialist

Howard University · Mordecai Wyatt Johnson Building · $65,000–$70,000 (stated in the posting)

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission.

At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Here is what we offer:

Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match
Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us!

https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

BASIC FUNCTION:

The Communications Specialist is a key member of the Media Relations team within the Office of University Communications (OUC). Reporting to the Director of Media Relations, the position supports enterprise-wide public relations, media relations, issues management, media events, and strategic communications activities that enhance Howard University’s visibility, elevate its academic and research enterprise, and protect and strengthen the University’s reputation.

The Communications Specialist develops and executes communications plans, media strategies, and high-quality written materials for external and internal audiences. The position proactively identifies and pitches stories; responds to media inquiries; develops press releases, media advisories, statements, talking points, briefing materials, and other communications; and supports University leaders, faculty experts, and other spokespersons in media engagements.

SUPERVISORY ACCOUNTABILITY:

N/A

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Serving as a communications liaison to an assigned portfolio of schools, colleges, academic units, and/or administrative offices, the Specialist builds strong relationships with campus partners to identify compelling stories and communications opportunities that elevate faculty expertise, research and innovation, academic achievements, student success, institutional initiatives, and the University’s broader impact. The position also collaborates across OUC on editorial, digital, social, multimedia, and executive communications to support integrated institutional storytelling.

PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Supervise and provide guidance to student interns and/or student workers assigned to support media relations and communications activities.
Serve as communications liaison to a designated portfolio of schools, colleges, academic units, centers, institutes, and/or administrative offices.
Support the Director of Media Relations and senior OUC leadership in executing proactive and responsive media relations, issues management, and reputation-building strategies.
Develop and maintain productive working relationships with journalists, producers, faculty experts, University leaders, campus communicators, and other key stakeholders.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

MEDIA RELATIONS & PROACTIVE STORYTELLING

Serve as a point of contact for media inquiries, coordinating timely, accurate responses and connecting journalists with appropriate University spokespersons and subject matter experts.
Develop and execute proactive media relations plans that increase positive visibility for Howard University, its faculty, research, academic programs, students, alumni, and institutional priorities.
Research, identify, develop, and pitch compelling story ideas to local, national, trade, higher education, and industry-specific media outlets.
Build and maintain relationships with reporters, editors, producers, assignment desks, podcast producers, and other media professionals whose coverage aligns with University priorities and areas of expertise.
Create and maintain targeted media lists, journalist databases, subject matter expert resources, and media archives.
Collaborate with senior media relations staff to build and maintain a University subject matter expert database and identify faculty and administrative spokespersons for media opportunities.
Monitor the University community, academic enterprise, research activity, and external news cycle to identify timely opportunities for expert commentary, thought leadership, and institutional storytelling.

STRATEGIC WRITING & MESSAGE DEVELOPMENT

Research source materials and write, edit, and fact-check press releases, media advisories, statements, talking points, key messages, media briefings, Q&As, fact sheets, backgrounders, pitches, executive remarks, op-eds, and other strategic communications materials.
Develop clear, audience-appropriate messaging that translates complex academic, research, policy, operational, and institutional information into accessible and compelling communications.
Prepare briefing materials and interview preparation documents for University leaders, faculty experts, and other spokespersons; participate in media preparation sessions and staff interviews as assigned.
Apply AP Style, University editorial standards, brand voice, and established approval protocols consistently across communications materials.
Exercise strong news judgment and editorial judgment to ensure content is accurate, timely, relevant, and aligned with institutional priorities.

PORTFOLIO COMMUNICATIONS & CAMPUS PARTNERSHIP

Serve as the primary OUC media relations liaison for an assigned portfolio of University schools, colleges, academic units, centers, institutes, and/or administrative offices.
Develop working knowledge of assigned units, including faculty expertise, research priorities, academic programs, major initiatives, leadership priorities, events, and emerging communications needs.
Meet regularly with designated campus partners to develop communications and media plans, identify newsworthy stories, anticipate upcoming announcements, and build a sustainable pipeline of institutional storytelling.
Advise campus partners on media relations opportunities, messaging, communications planning, spokesperson preparation, and approaches to elevating faculty expertise and institutional achievements.
Coordinate with school, college, and administrative communicators to promote consistency in messaging and alignment with University-wide communications priorities.

CONTENT DEVELOPMENT & INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS

Collaborate with OUC editorial colleagues to develop news stories, profiles, announcements, web content, and other editorial materials for University channels.
Work across OUC media relations, editorial, social media, digital, multimedia, creative services, internal communications, and executive communications functions to extend and amplify priority stories across platforms.
Identify opportunities to adapt media relations content for University websites, newsletters, social channels, multimedia storytelling, executive communications, and other owned platforms.
Collaborate with photographers, videographers, digital content staff, and creative partners to identify visual and multimedia assets that strengthen media outreach and institutional storytelling.

ISSUES & CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS

Support the Director of Media Relations and OUC leadership in issues management and crisis communications, including research, media monitoring, rapid-response messaging, talking points, statements, Q&As, and media coordination.
Monitor emerging media narratives, reputational issues, and external developments that may affect the University and promptly elevate significant developments to appropriate leadership.
Assist with development of proactive and reactive communications strategies that provide accurate information, protect institutional credibility, and support timely stakeholder communications.
Maintain discretion and sound judgment when handling sensitive, confidential, high-profile, or rapidly evolving matters.

MEDIA EVENTS & SPOKESPERSON SUPPORT

Assist in planning and executing press conferences, media briefings, interviews, announcements, and other media-facing events.
Coordinate media logistics, credentials, interview schedules, briefing materials, media staging, and on-site press interactions.
Staff University faculty experts, and other spokespersons during media interviews and high-profile events as assigned.
Coordinate with multimedia, photography, digital, events, public safety, and other University partners to support successful media events.

MEDIA MONITORING, ANALYTICS & REPORTING

Monitor print, broadcast, digital, social, and trade media coverage of Howard University, higher education, assigned portfolio areas, and relevant emerging issues.
Use industry media intelligence and monitoring platforms to track coverage, journalist activity, share of voice, sentiment, reach, message penetration, and other relevant performance indicators.
Develop and maintain electronic media monitoring files, coverage reports, media archives, and metrics presentations.
Prepare timely media summaries, analyses, and reports for OUC and University leadership, identifying trends, opportunities, reputational considerations, and communications implications.
Evaluate media relations campaigns and outreach efforts using quantitative and qualitative measures and apply insights to improve future strategies.

COLLABORATION & PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, administrators, University leadership, and campus communicators to secure information and develop accurate, high-quality communications content.
Manage multiple communications projects, media requests, assignments, and deadlines simultaneously while maintaining responsiveness, accuracy, and high editorial standards.
Maintain organized project files, media contacts, source materials, approvals, and communications records in accordance with OUC practices.
Participate in OUC planning meetings, cross-functional project teams, and campus communicator initiatives.
Provide professional, responsive service to internal and external stakeholders and contribute to a collaborative, high-performing communications culture.

INNOVATION & PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Stay current on evolving media trends, newsroom practices, higher education communications, digital journalism, artificial intelligence, media intelligence tools, and emerging communications technologies.
Use generative AI and emerging tools responsibly, where appropriate and consistent with University policy, to support research, ideation, workflow efficiency, and communications development while maintaining human editorial oversight, accuracy, confidentiality, and institutional standards.
Identify opportunities to improve media relations workflows, communications planning, measurement, and cross-campus collaboration.
Perform other duties as assigned.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Demonstrated experience in media relations, public relations, strategic communications, journalism, or related communications environments.
Strong news judgment and knowledge of media relations practices, including proactive pitching, reporter engagement, spokesperson coordination, media events, and issues management.
Exceptional writing, editing, research, and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated proficiency in AP Style and the ability to produce accurate, compelling content on short deadlines.
Ability to translate complex academic, research, institutional, policy, and operational information into clear and accessible communications for diverse audiences.
Experience using media monitoring, media intelligence, journalist database, and reporting platforms to conduct research, track coverage, identify media opportunities, and measure communications outcomes.
Knowledge of contemporary communications channels and the relationship among earned media, owned media, social media, digital content, multimedia, and executive communications.
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to work effectively with journalists, senior leaders, faculty experts, students, staff, and communications colleagues.
Sound judgment, discretion, critical thinking, adaptability, and problem-solving ability, particularly in high-profile, sensitive, or rapidly changing communications situations.
Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple assignments, competing deadlines, and complex approval processes.
Ability to work independently within defined responsibilities while collaborating effectively across teams and contributing to enterprise communications priorities.
Demonstrated cultural competence and ability to establish effective working relationships with people from a variety of backgrounds.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with content management systems, media monitoring platforms, database tools, presentation software, and contemporary digital communications tools.
Familiarity with generative AI tools and emerging communications technologies and an understanding of responsible, ethical use in professional communications environments.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, English, marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Minimum of four years of professional experience in media relations, public relations, journalism, strategic communications, or a related environment. Experience in higher education, education, nonprofit organizations, government, media organizations, public relations agencies, or strategic communications firms is preferred. Master’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field is preferred but not required. Demonstrated professional writing samples or portfolio may be required. Ability to work outside normal business hours, respond to time-sensitive communications needs, and travel as required.

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure

Expected Salary Range: $65,000 - $70,000

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