Career Center

JOB SUMMARY

The Assistant Director, Media & Public Relations, develops, implements, and executes AACTE’s comprehensive media and public relations strategies to promote the association’s events, programs, products, and services. This position plays a pivotal role in managing and implementing the association’s media relations efforts to support and enhance AACTE’s brand and perception within the field of education. The role is responsible for consistently amplifying AACTE brand messaging and writing compelling stories/narratives that advance the association’s strategic priorities and position the organization as the dominant thought leader in educator preparation. This position understands AACTE’s vision, mission, and core values and articulates AACTE’s commitments and work within and outside the association. This position is a team player and works to foster collaboration and communication within the AACTE National Office team.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement campaigns to engage the media, in collaboration with AACTE staff, that advance and promote the association and its strategic priorities
• Establish and maintain contacts with journalists, columnists, editors, and other media personnel covering the education field
• Fulfill media requests, arrange interviews in collaboration with AACTE staff, and develop talking points and other resources that support the association’s outreach in a timely and expeditious manner
• Identify news opportunities, develop content, and pitch story ideas that advance the association’s strategic priorities, policies, products, and programs.
• Create and develop compelling submissions for the association’s blog Ed Prep Matters, as well as support the Director, Marketing & Communications, in writing marketing content as need
• Assist in reviewing and editing association content for compliance with AACTE’s brand manual, as well as appropriate grammar and style formatting
• Write, edit, and disseminate press releases, advisories and statements regarding association initiatives, programming, events, and advocacy efforts
• Monitor relevant media coverage and recommend an appropriate response for the association
• Work collaboratively with national office colleagues to ensure that AACTE’s programs, products, and services are being well represented in print and digital media.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned

EXPECTATIONS

Decision Making

• Drive disciplined, fact-based decisions. Effectively analyze pertinent data and recommend solutions. Be decisive.
• Focus on solutions and opportunities.
• Apply critical thinking to information received from organizational stakeholders and evaluate what can be used for organizational success.
• Increase speed to resolution - engage leaders that have authority.

Metrics

• Show sound judgment when taking action on ambiguous or contradictory data.
• Incorporate data and benchmarks into projects.
• Create and monitor benchmarks on competitors and other relevant comparison groups.

Project Leader/Manager

• Evaluate critical projects in terms of value added and impact derived from a cost benefit analysis.
• Hold self and others accountable for project results. Know when to re-evaluate projects to determine if the projects continue to be viable.
• Manage goals and objectives into actionable plans and monitor execution.

Content Knowledge

• Have a strong understanding of AACTE services and knowledge of competition.
• Keeps abreast of knowledge, outside developments, and trends to maintain expertise in the field.

Customer Service, Internal & External

• Create customer satisfaction levels that lead the industry.
• Define, communicate, and implement a compelling member value proposition.
• Anticipate and communicate emerging customer needs.
• Actively collaborate with the AACTE national office team.

Revenue Development

• Assist in designing plans to achieve revenue goals and create strategies to combat potential revenue losses.

Interdepartmental Communications and Relationships

• Identify and promote areas for strategic collaboration.
• Implement practices that strengthen inter-departmental communication to help underscore its importance and maintain an efficient flow of information.
• Effectively collaborate between internal departments and share pertinent information to relevant staff.

Personnel Management

• Build the team with the best available talent to meet current business needs. Focus the team on overall organizational success.
• Communicate and inspires personal ownership and action.
• Provide ongoing updates on changing priorities to keep team focused on the right things.
• Address underperformance issues proactively. Provide coaching and feedback to drive peak performance.

Professional Relationships

• Establish credibility in all interactions.
• Proactively identifies and deliberately develops strategically important external relationships.
• Use strategic relationships to develop business opportunities.
• Pre-empt potential conflicts of interest.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Up to 20% travel will be required, as needed, to meet position responsibilities.

 SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervise contracted, external vendors as approved and collaborate with AACTE staff to ensure success.

 EDUCATION

Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field. Master’s Degree preferred.

 EXPERIENCE

• 5-7 years of relevant work experience, preferably at a member association, higher education institution, or nonprofit organization
• Outstanding writing, grammar, and proofreading skills, with demonstrated ability to plan and write effective marketing copy
• Proven ability to craft compelling pitches and content for various markets and audiences
• Demonstrated success in creating, maintaining, and developing relationships with both the media and strategic partners to advance an organization’s priorities and gain market recognition
• Proven track-record with earned media, including op-eds, thought leadership, and successful content placement.