Director of Engagement (Public Relations Specialist)

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCIENCES (BL-PSY-IUBLA)

The core mission of the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University (IU) in Bloomington is to unlock the mysteries of the human brain and behavior, and to prepare students to apply that knowledge to improve the lives of people around the globe.

As a part of the College of Arts and Sciences (The College), we are a highly multidisciplinary department, with faculty and students carrying out research ranging from molecular neuroscience to artificial intelligence. We currently have over 70 full-time faculty, more than 30 department-serving staff members, 100 graduate students, 2400 undergraduate majors, 750 undergraduate minors, and offer 9 different undergraduate credentials, including a BS / BA in Psychology, a BS in Neuroscience, and a BS in Clinical Science.

Learn more about the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University.

Performs duties in support of the university's public relations function and overall advancement of the university's reputation, goals, and objectives, including planning strategic communications, managing media relations and public representation, and performing external outreach and creating partnerships with state and local communities in economic, social, cultural, and leadership development. Communications may include press releases, speeches, briefs, remarks, reports, correspondence, crisis intervention, and stories that can be presented on a variety of media platforms. Work may include occasional duties in support of other functions or administrative needs.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Oversees the strategic marketing, communication, and advancement efforts for the department and to develop and manage mechanisms to elevate the department's profile within the University and greater academic community.
• Formulates and executes marketing/communications initiatives; includes, but is not limited to, overseeing the department's website and social media accounts, producing Update magazine and other departmental brochures, writing press releases and other communications to promote the department.
• Develops and implements donor engagement plans; includes leading PBS IU Day and year-end ask campaigns as well as other fundraising opportunities.
• Manages faculty award process, both external and internal (funded and otherwise) awards; writing and preparing nominations, biographies, etc.
• Advances the Chair's strategic priorities through the development of speeches, correspondence, and executive communications supporting key events and initiatives.
  
  

General Responsibilities

• Writes, edits, publishes, and distributes clear, informative written content for various strategic communications, media, and external outreach and partnership needs, audiences, and publication formats.
• Corrects basic and complex grammar, spelling, punctuation, formatting, and syntax errors independently, and performs edits that improve overall writing quality of communications and ensure alignment with university mission, strategies, objectives, and brand guidelines.
• Performs reviews of peer written communications to ensure grammar, quality, tone, and level of depth are sufficient; particularly in matters of crisis intervention, external affairs, and media relations, ensures communications advance the image, reputation, goals, objectives, and mission of the university.
• Regularly provides information to and consults with faculty, staff, media, organizations, and/or other stakeholders regarding university affairs, initiatives, programs, and activities; takes on complex and escalated issues, escalating highly complex or urgent issues to higher-level Public Relations Specialists and/or manager as needed.
• Schedules and attends meetings, press releases, consultations, publicity events, and various outreach events; may also perform administrative duties, such as maintaining photo databases and managing media contact lists.
• Identifies opportunities for implementing public relations strategies and discusses with team and manager.
• May provide guidance to other Public Relations Specialists.
  
  

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION

Required

• Bachelor's degree in English, communications, journalism, public relations, or related field
  
  

Preferred

• Master's degree in English, communications, journalism, public relations, psychology, related science or related field
  
  

Required

WORK EXPERIENCE

• 5 years in relevant field
  
  

Skills

Required

• Proficient communication skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrated time management and priority setting skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
• Highly thorough and dependable
• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
• Possesses a high degree of initiative
• Ability to influence internal and/or external constituents
• Familiarity with design programs, social media, and websites
  
  

Preferred

• Ability to translate complex psychological or scientific research into accessible and engaging content for the general public, media, donors, and alumni
• Experience managing workflows, deadlines, and other team members to produce content
• Possesses science background or interest
  
  

This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Bloomington, Indiana

$67,891.20 - $70,000 annually

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU
• Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
• Generous paid time off plans
• Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
  
  

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing the IU Benefit Programs Brochure.

Career Level: Advanced

FLSA: Exempt

Job Function: Marketing & Communications

Job Family: Public Relations

Click here to learn more about Indiana University's Job Framework.

This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.

If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.

Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online. You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at iups@iu.edu or by visiting IUPD.

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Telephone: 812-856-1234