Public Relations Specialist

Job summary

This position is responsible for media relations and other communications support at Northwestern University in Qatar, including preparing articles, press kits, press releases, and other content initiatives.

Please Note: Candidates for this position should be prepared to work after hours and on weekends, when necessary, to attend events and complete assignments.

Specific responsibilities

• The person in this position handles media relations, including promoting stories to the media, responding to media inquiries and writing news releases for distribution to media and stories for use on the Northwestern University in Qatar web site, e-newsletters, and other communications channels.
• In addition, this position collaborates with other members of the media and marketing group to develop stories and multimedia content for use on the web.
• The position also will have other duties as assigned by the director and associate director of media relations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum qualifications

• Candidates for this position must have demonstrated reporting, writing and editing ability, news judgment and 3-5 years experience in journalism and/or public relations. 
• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in communications, journalism or other related field also is required.

Minimum competencies (skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• This position demands strong interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to work with faculty and to translate academic language into language engaging for and understood by the general public; exceptional reporting, writing and organizational skills, and the ability to work with local and national reporters in print, digital and broadcast outlets.
• Candidates must understand what elements make a good news story, have a good grasp of the news business and its cycles and be able to write stories and make pitches that quickly convey the most compelling aspects of a story.
• This position demands creativity, innovation and a strong work ethic as well as the ability to approach stories in ways that engage and interest both internal and external audiences.
• The candidate must be fluent -- written and verbal -- in Arabic.
• The position also will have other duties as assigned by the director and associate director of media relations.