Public Relations Specialist

About Washington University of Science and Technology (WUST)

Founded with a commitment to transforming lives through highly effective, career-oriented education, WUST bridges the gap between academia and industry. Located in Alexandria, VA, we offer undergraduate and graduate programs in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, and Business Administration. Our scholar-practitioner faculty empower a diverse student body to achieve our triple mission: Degree, Skills, and Career.

Position Overview

The Public Relations Specialist plays a vital role in shaping and maintaining WUST’s public image locally, nationally, and globally. This individual will be the voice of the university, tasked with highlighting our cutting-edge academic programs, student success stories, and faculty research. The ideal candidate is a strategic storyteller and proactive communicator who can manage media relations, create engaging content, and foster relationships with the community, industry partners, and prospective students.

Key Responsibilities

Media Relations & Communications

• Draft and Distribute Materials: Write and distribute compelling press releases, media advisories, op-eds, and feature stories regarding university milestones, program launches, and campus events.
• Media Outreach: Build and maintain relationships with local (Washington D.C. metro area), regional, and national media outlets, as well as higher education and technology trade publications.
• Spokesperson Coordination: Field media inquiries and coordinate interviews for university leadership, including the President, Chancellor, and key faculty experts.
• Crisis Management: Assist the communications team in developing and executing crisis communication plans to protect the university's reputation during sensitive situations.

Digital Content & Brand Management

• Social Media Management: Oversee and grow WUST’s presence on platforms such as LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram, ensuring all content aligns with the university's brand identity.
• Publication Management: Produce the university’s internal and external newsletters, alumni updates, and the annual report.
• Website Content: Regularly update the news and events sections of the WUST website to ensure prospective students and stakeholders have access to the latest university developments.

Community Outreach & Event Coordination

• Event Promotion: Support the planning and promotion of university events, including academic conferences (e.g., IEEE summits), open houses, commencement ceremonies, and networking events.
• Community Relations: Represent WUST at local community meetings, chamber of commerce events, and industry gatherings to strengthen the university’s footprint in the Northern Virginia and D.C. tech corridors.
• Internal Communications: Keep students, faculty, and staff informed of important university news, fostering a cohesive and informed campus community.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or a closely related field.
• Experience: 2–4 years of professional experience in public relations, corporate communications, or media relations (experience in higher education or the tech sector is a strong plus).
• Communication Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a rigorous attention to detail and a proven ability to write for diverse audiences (press, prospective students, corporate partners).
• Media Acumen: Demonstrated success in securing media coverage and navigating the modern digital media landscape.
• Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with social media management tools, content management systems (CMS), and basic digital design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite).

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of the international student landscape and experience communicating with diverse, global audiences.
• Existing relationships with media contacts in the Washington D.C. / Northern Virginia area.
• Familiarity with the tech and business sectors (specifically Cybersecurity, IT, and Business Administration) to accurately promote WUST's core academic offerings.

Pay: $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement

Work Location: In person