Media Relations and Community Outreach Director

Title: Media Relations & Community Outreach Director

Location: Aurora United States

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Department: Police Department

Job Title: Media Relations & Community Outreach Director

Position: #00706022 - Requisition: #40081

Job Description:

Job Summary:

If you like working in the community, building relationships with the people you serve, and having a healthy work-life balance, we have the job for you. Join the police department at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, the largest academic health center in the Rocky Mountain region. You'll have an important job serving those who protect others through ground-breaking, life-saving research at the forefront of transformative education, science, medicine, and healthcare.

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop and manage public information releases, media inquiries, and crisis communications strategies

• Serve on the Unified Crisis Communications Team and coordinate communications during Emergency Operations Center activations in partnership with the Joint Information Center Manager

• Advise department leadership on communication strategies, sensitive issues, and reputation management

• Coordinate and produce public-facing communications to strengthen community relations and maintain effective partnerships with print, radio, electronic, and television media outlets

• Develop newsletters, brochures, videos, recruitment campaigns, and public awareness materials while ensuring consistent branding and messaging across all platforms

• Attend and coordinate community outreach events, public engagement initiatives, and recruitment activities, including job and career fairs

• Develop internal and external communication plans and align outreach, media relations, and social media efforts with departmental goals

Work Location:

Hybrid / Aurora, CO - This role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of 6 days per month remote.

Why Join Us:

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in public safety? Join the University of Colorado Anschutz Police Department as a Media Relations & Community Outreach Director.

At CU Anschutz PD, you'll be part of a dynamic and innovative environment where your expertise will drive service delivery and community safety excellence.

Embrace the opportunity to shape the future of public safety communications while working alongside passionate professionals committed to making a difference. Your leadership will enhance operational efficiency and contribute to the well-being of our vibrant campus community. Come be a part of something bigger and help us set the standard for public safety in higher education.

Why work for the University?

Joining our team means more than just a job-it's an opportunity to build a rewarding career while enjoying exceptional benefits that support your personal and professional growth. As part of the University of Colorado community, you'll have access to resources and programs that truly make a difference in your life.

Our Benefits Are Outstanding.

One of our most valuable benefits is the CU Tuition Assistance Program, which enables you and your eligible family members to pursue higher education at any CU campus at a significantly reduced cost. Whether you're completing a degree, starting a new academic journey, or helping your family achieve their educational goals, this benefit is a game-changer.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options

• Dental: Multiple plan options

• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision

• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay

• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year

• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)

• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)

• Holiday Days: 10/year

• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses

• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree in marketing, journalism, public relations, communications, business administration, business, or a directly related field from an accredited institution

• A minimum of 6 years of professional experience in media relations, public affairs, or strategic communications.

• Substitution: An advanced degree (Masters or Doctorate) may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis if the degree is in a field of study directly related to the work assignment OR a combination of education and related technical/military/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for a bachelor's degree on a year for year basis.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a public safety and/or law enforcement setting

• Experience working in a higher education setting

• Experience in managing social media and web content management systems such as Facebook, Instagram, Marketing Cloud, Sitefinity, Cava, etc.

• Experience handling crisis communication and serving as a spokesperson during high profile or sensitive incidents

Conditions of Employment:

• This position is designated as critical and must report to work as needed during emergency situations.

• Must be willing to travel for national, state, and local conferences, meetings, training, exercises, and other professional development activities

• Must possess and maintain a valid State of Colorado Driver's License or be able to obtain one within 30 days of hire

• Applicants will be required to pass a Police Department Background Check which may include one or all of the following: Personnel History Questionnaire, Integrity Interview, Polygraph Examination, Fingerprint Check, Drug Screen, Credit/ Civil Check, Criminal History and Driving Infractions Check, Reference Checks, and Post-Conditional

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong oral and written communication skills Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with professional and administrative personnel at all levels, including outside organizations and the public

• Ability to understand and work within a complex institution with extensive government, regulatory and compliance responsibilities, as well as formal reporting and coordinating lines of authority

• Strong understanding of media relations principles, AP style, and public information best practices

• Ability to develop strategic communication plans and manage public perception with a focus on transparency, responsiveness, and customer service

• Demonstrated ability to manage social media platforms and digital content for organizations branding and public information with us of social media management tools, content creation and basic graphic/video editing