Public Relations Director

University of Wisconsin Madison
$95,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
paid time off
United States, Wisconsin, Madison
21 North Park Street (Show on map)
Apr 16, 2025
Job Summary: Wisconsin Public Media (WPM) is seeking a Public Relations Director to lead its effort to craft communications and events that highlight the impact of public media in Wisconsin. This position develops and implements a comprehensive communications strategy that strengthens public media's relationships with governmental, academic, and community stakeholder groups. This is a unique opportunity to amplify the essential services of a trusted public media organization and demonstrate the value of PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio to communities throughout the state. The Public Relations Director ensures that WPM's mission, values, and achievements are effectively communicated to key audiences, with specific focus on legislative offices, reinforcing the organization's role as a trusted and essential public service in Wisconsin. WPM is a division of the University of Wisconsin-Madison that together with the Educational Communications Board (ECB) operates the award-winning statewide public media services of PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio, which provide independent high-quality journalism, engaging educational content, and enriching cultural programming. The Public Relations Director is part of a team that values integrity, public service, and the power of storytelling to inform, connect, and inspire. The position reports to the WPM Executive Director. Responsibilities: Develops public relations strategy, coordinates community relations campaigns, and consults with senior leadership on crisis communications in support of the institution's strategic communication goals. 40% Implements and monitors public relations strategies and initiatives to increase the institutional engagement with a wide range of external stakeholders 10% Develops and monitors the day-to-day operational work plans of unit staff to comply with regulations, institutional policies, and unit objectives 10% Oversees public relations efforts and campaigns and serves as institutional spokesperson when necessary 20% Serves as a subject matter expert and liaison to leadership regarding high profile communications associated with external audiences 10% Collaborate with internal and external teams to gather all relevant information and data to craft custom communications to key stakeholder groups, including elected officials in state and federal government. 10% Utilize data and customer relationship management tools, maintaining confidentiality, to manage relationships and track ongoing communications. Institutional Statement on Diversity: Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world. For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion Education: Preferred Bachelor's Degree Preferred Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, political science or related fields. Qualifications: REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS - Excellent attention to detail, organization, and communication skills, with a particular focus on written communications. - Skilled at quickly and effectively crafting communications about specific issues while taking into account diverse perspectives and competing interests. - Experience in communications, government relations, and/or public policy. - Proven ability to develop and maintain strong contacts at community, university, state and federal government levels. - Ability to analyze and contextualize political trends at all levels of government. - Ability to meet work expectations independently with minimal direct supervision. - Comfort and ability to navigate complex relationships. - Ability to lead multi-disciplinary projects. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Basic understanding of the legal, political, and budget issues impacting public media. - Experience in public media. - Experience in managing event budgets, timelines, and resources, ensuring events are delivered on time and within budget. Work Type: Full Time: 100% This position offers some hybrid flexibility with a minimum expectation of three days per week on-site at WPM's headquarters on the UW-Madison campus. Additional flexibility in the future is possible. In-person meetings and events may require additional in-person attendance. Events may include some evening and weekend hours. In-state residency is a requirement and fully remote candidates will not be accepted. Appointment Type, Duration: Ongoing/Renewable Salary: Minimum $95,000 ANNUAL (12 months) Depending on Qualifications The minimum for this position is $95,000. Actual pay will depend on experience and qualifications. Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Additional Information: This position requires the ability to work some evenings and weekends. PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio are part of Wisconsin Public Media. The person in this position will be required to comply with the Wisconsin Public Media Code of Ethics: https://wpm.wisc.edu/policies/, in addition to the UW-Madison code of ethics. Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. How to Apply: The following must be received for your application to be complete: 1) Resume 2) A cover letter describing how your experience relates to the listed required and preferred job qualifications. 3) A one to two page writing sample: As part of your application, please submit a professional writing sample that demonstrates your ability to clearly and effectively communicate complex information. Since this position will need to effectively communicate to key audiences, with specific focus on legislative offices, close attention to detail is required. All submitted material will be assessed for spelling and grammar. Failure to follow these application instructions will result in applications receiving less competitive consideration. We are eager to learn more about how your experience may align with this position. Please submit a cover letter referring to your related work experience and a resume detailing your educational and professional background. Please keep in mind your cover letter and/or resume should address your experience and how it relates to the position qualifications. The application reviews will be relying on written application materials to determine who may advance to the first round interviews. Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least three professional references with titles, emails, and phone numbers (including at least one supervisory reference). Note that references will not be contacted without your prior knowledge. Contact: Mariah Stuckey mariah.stuckey@wisc.edu 608-890-2272 Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information. Official Title: Public Relations Manager(CM008) Department(s): A46-PUBLIC MEDIA/DIRECTOR'S OFF Employment Class: Academic Staff-Renewable Job Number: 312234-AS The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, click here If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/ Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.