Potomac Flacks

JOB OF THE WEEK: Duke University, Director of Strategic Communications (Durham, NC)

Duke University's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative is seeking a Director of Strategic Communications with a minimum of eight years experience and a salary of no more than $85,000.

The Director of Strategic Communications is accountable for developing and implementing a vision and strategic marketing, communication and public relations plan reflective of the priorities of the Initiative that enhances marketing, fundraising and public relations initiatives, and promotes ongoing communication with faculty, staff, students, alumni and other stake-holders. Reporting to the Director, your portfolio will encompass branding, digital and social media communications development, public relations, marketing and communications policy development and stakeholder outreach. Your digital communications and marketing experience will ensure that all of the Initiative’s messages work together to seamlessly address the Initiative’s ambitious goals.

In addition to generating content, you will join the leadership team and provide strategic communications counsel relevant to a continually and rapidly shifting media landscape. Your deliverables will include the design, development and maintenance of print and web-based communication programs for diverse audiences and constituencies.

Responsibilities:

1. Develop and implement PR and marketing strategies and tactics, including community relations, to build and maintain a positive reputation among key constituencies and to develop a consistent brand for the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative

2. Develop and execute a comprehensive PR and promotional plan for the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative at Duke, while collaborating with Duke Communications to create an integrated program consistent with Duke’s overall vision and objectives.

3. Identify and partner with key internal and external stakeholders (Deans of Schools, legal, government affairs, alumni affairs, etc.) to ensure communication support for potential issues, such as advocacy, compliance, student affairs, alumni engagement, etc.

4. Working with the Duke faculty and the leadership team of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative, initiate a strategy and develop content that clearly positions Duke as a national thought leader in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

5. Manage process through which Initiative-developed thought leadership content is disseminated across a range of outlets, to further engage our different constituencies/communities.

6. Assume responsibility for writing, design and timely production and distribution of all PR materials, including feature articles on university programs, profiles of successful faculty/students/alumni, press kits, press releases, newsletters and video/audio scripts. It is anticipated that the candidate will both take an active role in the preparation of these materials, as well as make use of other on- and off-campus resources.

7. Review and edit materials prior to distribution to ensure clarity and appropriateness for each audience.

8. Broadly deliver the Initiative’s vision and success through a variety of vehicles, including the internet (including initiative’s website and social media accounts), blogs, newsletters, trade, business and consumer PR, advertising, executive messaging and related materials.

9. Select and direct external agencies to support PR activities, as needed.

10. Develop and manage a set of key performance metrics and analytics to allow for continuous improvement in the areas of communications and marketing.

Competencies:

1. Results orientation/sense of urgency

2. Problem solving and decision making

3. Ability to react and respond to changing priorities and manage a complex and diverse workload in a dynamic, fast-paced culture.

4. Excellent organizational skills and outstanding ability to establish and meet deadlines.

5. Thorough knowledge of the news media and experience in working effectively with reporters and editors. 

6. Understanding of university culture.

7. Experience with media relations, marketing, stakeholder relations, communication relations, government relations, alumni relations and institutional advertising.

8. Ability to communicate effectively with visual arts experts, as well as general-interest print and electronic media. 

9. Excellent verbal communication and writing/editing skills.

10. Proven ability to function effectively in a team environment, as well as work independently. 

11. Demonstrated experience with social technology (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Foursquare, Flickr, blogs, wikis, RSS, social bookmarking, discussion forums and community software). 

12. Experience with online monitoring and measurement platforms including but not limited to Omniture, Facebook Insights, YouTube Insights, Google Analytics, HootSuite, TweetDeck, and Social Mention.

The mission of the Duke Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative (Duke I&E) is to create a robust culture across the entire university in which we inspire and prepare students and faculty for innovative leadership and actively support and celebrate the translation of knowledge into the service of society.

Administratively housed within the Office of the Provost, Duke I&E acts as a centralized organizer for "all things I&E" on campus and in our community. We connect students, faculty and alumni to the infrastructure and resources - programs, funds, educational opportunities, and advisors - to increase their ability to realize solutions with impact. Moreover, we exist to bring visibility to Duke's history of successes in innovation and entrepreneurship and showcase our ongoing programs.

TO APPLY: Click here.  (PF tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Booker, Fox News’ Red Eye (New York)

FOX News Channel seeks a Booker for Red Eye.

A successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Significant contacts for researching and booking high profile guests
• Creative ideas and out of the box story pitches
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to interact with high profile talent and guests
• Superior research and writing skills
• 3+ years experience in booking
• A terrific attitude and the ability to work well with a team as well as independently
• Proficiency using iNews and an understanding of building program rundowns and producing creative graphic

TO APPLY: Click here or visit Mediabistro.  (PF tipster)

Elleithee Named DNC Communications Director

First reported by Politico’s Mike Allen, the Democratic National Committee has named Mo Elleithee as the successor to Brad Woodhouse as Communications Director, starting Friday.

Elleithee is a 17-year veteran of Democratic politics specializing in communications. He's worked on four different presidential campaigns, including as traveling press secretary for Hillary Clinton's 2008 bid; worked in senior communications roles for candidates across the country including Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), and Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM); and has advised various Democratic party committees including the DSCC, DCCC and Democratic Party of Virginia.

For the past three years, he's been on the faculty of the Georgetown Public Policy Institute. 

Elleithee will be taking a leave of absence from his firm, Hilltop Public Solutions, to join the DNC full-time.

He received his undergraduate degree from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, and his Master of Arts from The Graduate School of Political Management at The George Washington University.  (Politico’s Mike Allen)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Chlopak, Leonard, Schecter & Associates (CLS), Associate

Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates (CLS) is looking to hire an energetic, hardworking and organized individual for an opening at the entry-level Associate position. Candidates should ideally have internship/work experience in journalism, public relations, public affairs or politics.

The right candidate will have a passion for communications and public affairs, the ability to effectively juggle a range of tasks and excellent attention to detail. The Associate position’s responsibilities include writing persuasive materials, conducting research, media pitching, and presentation development.  This person will also be expected to think strategically and grasp complex issues across multiple and varying clients. Along with account work, the Associate will also be expected to provide some administrative support. Experience with social media, Wordpress and HTML is preferred.

Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates is a highly regarded mid-sized communications/public relations firm that focuses on public affairs, corporate, international, and crisis communications. CLS has a roster of clients that includes Fortune 100 companies, leading trade associations, non-profits and international organizations. CLS offers a competitive salary, and health and retirement benefits.

For more information, visit our web site at www.clsdc.com.

TO APPLY: Please email your resume and cover letter to [email protected] and indicate you are applying for the “Associate” position in the subject line.  (PF tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: National School Choice Week, Press Secretary (Temporary, Miramar Beach, FL or telecommute)

National School Choice Week is searching for a talented Press Secretary. This is a non-exempt, hourly position (approximately 40 hours per week) with a defined start date (September 1, 2013) and end date (February 28, 2014).

The Press Secretary will be responsible for working with NSCW’s team, partner organizations, and participating schools to generate positive media coverage for special events held during National School Choice Week 2014 (January 26 to February 1, 2014).

Under the direction of NSCW’s president, the Press Secretary will be responsible for writing and sending news releases; developing and placing opinion pieces; managing and maintaining media lists; using media management software, e-mail outreach systems, and fax broadcast programs to provide reporters and producers with information; scheduling interviews for NSCW spokespeople; making pre-event pitch telephone calls; and managing media interview calendars. 

Qualifications:

-- Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related discipline

-- 2+ years of experience in front-line media relations

-- Excellent writer with ability to pass writing and editing test

-- Superior proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite products, including Word and Excel

-- Excellent interpersonal skills and comfort with making telephone calls

-- Ability to work independently and with great accuracy

-- Previous experience working on a high-energy campaign environment

-- Basic knowledge of and support for education reform and school choice policy

TO APPLY: Send a resume, your requested hourly rate of pay, and one writing sample (news release) to Andrew Campanella at [email protected] with the subject line: Press Secretary. Incomplete applications will not be considered. No phone calls, please.

Note: This position is located in Miramar Beach, Florida, if the incumbent chooses to relocate. However, we are willing to accommodate requests to telecommute/work from remote locations across the country.  (PF tipster)

Crosson Moves from Capitol Hill to the Consumer Bankers Association

Today is Thomas Crosson’s first day as Director of Media Relations and Communications for the Consumer Bankers Association.

For the past two years and eight months Crosson was Communications Director for Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH).

He is a Purdue University graduate.  (PF tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Senate Committee, Deputy Press Secretary (Majority)

Democratic Senate Committee Chairman seeks self-motivated and detail-oriented Deputy Press Secretary.

Day-to-day responsibilities include assisting with daily news clips, drafting media releases/advisories, maintaining press contact lists, creating social media content, managing web content and answering media inquiries.  The position requires outstanding oral communication and writing skills, as well as the ability to produce quality work under deadlines.  The ideal candidate will be a fast learner with the ability to quickly grasp complex issues and condense them into easy to understand language. Previous Hill experience or financial services experience a plus.

TO APPLY: Please email a resume and two writing samples (no more than one page each) to [email protected]. No phone calls or drop-ins, please.  (PF tipster)