Marketing and Communications Deputy Press Secretary
Job Description
Deputy Press Secretary
About The State University of New York :
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2022, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit www.suny.edu.
Job Description:
The State University of New York (SUNY) is searching for a Deputy Press Secretary to join its Office of Press and Communications in either its Albany or NYC office.
SUNY is seeking an exceptional communications professional with excellent writing skills to be a vital member for the SUNY System Administration media relations team. Charged with supporting SUNY’s Chancellor and leadership team to promote SUNY as a world-class institution of high quality, accessible, and affordable education. This candidate can expect to travel in advance of the Chancellor to manage visits and events across New York State on a weekly basis.
The Deputy Press Secretary – in coordination with government affairs and creative and marketing teams – will:
- Develop, manage, and organize communications activities statewide and nationally
- Write and issue press releases, opinion pieces, statements, and media advisories on behalf of SUNY’s Chancellor and Board of Trustees
- Assist with press inquiries in alerting senior leaders, drafting proposed responses, and talking points on deadline
- Partner to develop an ongoing media strategy for the Chancellor, one that includes national speaking engagements and placements in Sunday programs
- Interact with top New York State, higher education, and national media
- Develop and manage communications to highlight SUNY’s overall leadership in research
- Assist Press Secretary with crisis communications, and communicating policy initiatives
- Respond to daily media inquiries
- Manage the daily news clips
- Coordinate closely with other departments, in particular Government Relations and Marketing
- Lead on internal communications at System and with campuses
Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications:
- Experience in public relations, media, journalism, or related field
- Strong writing and editing skills are required
- Demonstrated project and team management experience
- Able to multi-task and work in a deadline-driven environment
- Established statewide contacts in TV, newspaper, and radio outlets
Additional Information:
Salary is dependent on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, education, training, and certifications. The range for this position is $80,000-$100,000.
Excellent Benefit Package which includes: NYS health insurance, free dental and vision coverage, competitive retirement options, tuition assistance, parental leave at full pay, and generous vacation, sick, and holiday time.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
The Deputy Press Secretary will report to Assistant Vice Chancellor for Media Relations and Press Secretary.
Travel to any of the 64 campuses in the SUNY system is expected with some overnights.
State University of New York System Administration is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction, or retaliation.
Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@oer.ny.gov.
