Director Of Earned Media And External Communications

Reporting to the Senior Director of Communications the Director of Earned Media and External Communications advances Ithaca Colleges reputation through proactive opportunity-driven storytelling across traditional digital and emerging media channels. This role focuses primarily on identifying and cultivating opportunities to share the colleges stories expertise and impact while providing secondary support to the Senior Director of Communications on crisis communications internal communications and risk management.

Serving as the first point of contact for media inquiries the Director builds and sustains relationships with journalists content creators influencers podcasters and emerging media platforms. The role requires strong editorial judgment exceptional attention to detail and fluency across todays evolving media ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

• Proactively identify and pursue opportunities to advance Ithaca Colleges reputation through strategic storytelling across traditional digital and emerging media channels.
  
• Serve as the primary point of contact for incoming media inquiries exercising strong judgment responsiveness and attention to detail.
  
• Develop and maintain relationships with journalists editors producers content creators influencers podcasters and emerging media voices.
  
• Pitch stories and expertise to both established outlets and nontraditional platforms including creator-led and audience-driven channels.
  
• Identify and elevate faculty students alumni and institutional leaders as compelling sources and storytellers.
  
• Monitor media coverage and online discourse across platforms including social media and emerging communities to assess reputation surface opportunities and flag risks.
  
• Collaborate closely with colleagues across the Marketing Communications division to align narratives timing and distribution strategies.
  
• Draft edit and oversee high-quality written materials including media pitches statements backgrounders and briefing materials with exceptional attention to detail.
  
• Support the Senior Director of Communications on crisis communications and issues management as needed including drafting materials and providing backup support.
  
• Support campus safety and emergency communications as part of the College Emergency Response Team (CERT) working in close coordination with the Senior Director of Communications the Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management and institutional leadership.
  
• Provide support to the Senior Director of Communications during incidents or situations requiring heightened coordination judgment and discretion assisting with drafting review and dissemination of communications as needed.
  
• Collaborate with the Marketing Communications team to shape and disseminate content for internal communications channels reinforcing alignment between external storytelling institutional messaging and campus audiences.
  
• Support Senior Director of Communications for institutional leadership communications including messaging related to the President Executive Council and Board of Trustees.
  
• Reinforce strong copyediting and fact-checking practices across the communications team contributing to a culture of accuracy precision and credibility in high-visibility and high-stakes communications.
  
• Stay current on changes in the media landscape platform behavior and audience dynamics bringing insight and experimentation to the work.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in a related field and 2-3 years professional experience or the equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to shape clear compelling narratives for different audiences and platforms.
  
• Exceptional attention to detail paired with sound editorial judgment and accuracy.
  
• Creative problem-solving and original thinking including the ability to see opportunity beyond the literal or obvious and translate it into effective communication.
  
• Demonstrated success advancing a brand organization or individuals reputation through storytelling media engagement or audience-driven platforms.
  
• Experience shaping narratives on social media particularly through platforms such as TikTok or through work with influencers creators or nontraditional media outlets.
  
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to build trust and credibility with journalists creators faculty administrators and external partners.
  
• A collaborative mindset and a passion for working within a mission-driven higher educational environment.

This position is 37.5 hours per week 52 weeks per year.

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants must apply online and attach a resume cover letter and list of three professional references. Questions about online applications should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at or

Ithaca College is committed to building a diverse academic community and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply. Experience that contributes to the diversity of the college is appreciated.

Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.

Hiring Range:

$80000-$85000 commensurate with qualifications and experience.

We pride ourselves on providing our benefit-eligible employees with comprehensive benefits including:

Healthcare including vision and dental

Generous Paid Time Off Policies

403B Retirement Savings Plan with Matching Employer Contribution

EAP

Flexible Work Plans

Educational Benefits

Career-Enhancing Trainings

For an overview of our benefit offerings please visit an effort to promote campus safety and the security of College resources Ithaca College will consistent with the requirements of the law and prudent practices conduct criminal background investigations per College policy. This position is subject to a criminal background check. All offers of employment are contingent upon review of the criminal background check.