(Hybrid) Media Manager - Strategic Communications & Marketing

The Strategic Communications and Marketing department at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Media Manager.

About the Opportunity

The Media Manager serves the University through a key position in the Office of Strategic Communications - a unit within Strategic Communications and Marketing - focused on media relations and emergency communications with the goal of providing timely, accurate information while enhancing the University's reputation across a range of platforms.

The ideal candidate is a strong verbal communicator and exceptional writer, likes news and understands news cycles, works efficiently on tight deadlines and in stressful situations, and is able to build and maintain relationships with media members.

The Media Manager reports to the Executive Director of Strategic Communications and works in collaboration with the Managing Editor, the Internal Communications Manager, the News and Information Manager, the Front-End Web Designer and others within Strategic Communications, along with those outside the unit and across the University System.

This position includes regular responsibilities outside of normal work hours and will require on-call status for emergency communications at times designated by the Executive Director of Strategic Communications.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do:

• Manages media requests at the University-level in coordination with the Executive Director of Strategic Communications to provide factual and timely sources or information.
  
• Tracks media requests and responses involving college, school and unit communicators.
  
• Supports unplanned emergency and crisis communications under the direction of the Executive Director of Strategic Communications.
  
• Serves as the primary backup to the Executive Director of Strategic Communications for unplanned emergency and crisis communications.
  
• Manages social media accounts for WVU Safety and Wellness - the primary accounts for WVU Police - on X, Facebook and any future platforms.
  
• Builds relationships with media members, maintains media contacts and actively pitches news stories to media members.
  
• Tracks earned media in coordination with the News and Information Manager.
  
• Utilizes earned media data to inform media strategy.
  
• Serves as a backup for the Executive Director of Strategic Communications as a University spokesperson.
  
• Supports the Executive Director of Strategic Communications in planning and holding news conferences, press briefings, media visits and other campus media events.
  
• Maintains the Office of Strategic Communications Crisis Communications Plan.
  
• Participates in emergency planning exercises, meetings and other events.
  
• Conducts media training sessions for campus leaders.
  
• Drafts University-level messages as directed by the Executive Director of Strategic Communications.
  
• Writes, produces, edits communications products for WVUToday, MOUNTAINEER E-News and other platforms.
  
• Keeps current on state and national higher education issues and trends by monitoring traditional and social media.
  
• Works outside of regular business hours, when necessary.
  
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Strategic Communications.
  
• Represents WVU at designated events.
  

• Bachelor's degree.
• Five (5) years of experience in the following:
  
  
  
  • Experience interviewing, writing and editing across platforms.
  • Mastery of AP Style, grammar and industry best practices.
  • Journalism/marketing practices and deadlines.
  
  
  
  
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated success in communications or media relations.
• Exceptional written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to provide accurate, dependable and useful information through traditional and social media for internal and external constituency groups.
• Demonstrated ability to write quickly, accurately, and in a clear and concise manner on tight deadlines using limited information.
• Knowledge of social media platforms.
• Knowledge of media markets at local, state, regional and national levels.
• Availability to be on call for unplanned emergency communications.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and interest in current media trends, including tools and platforms, and ability to integrate advances into current practice.
• Demonstrated planning, organizational, teamwork and time management skills.
• Demonstrated experience, or interest in, developing communication strategies and platforms.
• Demonstrated mastery of Associated Press (AP) journalism style.
• Demonstrated proficiency for standard office equipment, web-based content systems and social media platforms.
• Demonstrated commitment to maintaining and promoting a cohesive work environment.
• Demonstrated enthusiasm and attitude toward work and profession, and the ability to foster that commitment in others.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with colleagues inside and outside the University.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically.
• Ability to maintain proper unit attendance and punctuality and to work extended hours, including weekends and evenings, when the news dictates.
• Ability to function professionally under deadlines and sometimes stressful situations.
• Ability to multitask and independently plan and organize work.
• Ability to meet various deadlines and schedules.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.