Recruitment/Posting Title Senior Public Relations Specialist Job Category URA-AFT Administrative Department Walter Rand Institute - Cmd Overview Ranked #49 in U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Public Colleges and Universities, Rutgers University–Camden is a diverse, research-intensive campus of approximately 6,100 students at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels and 1,100 faculty and staff members. Located in Camden, N.J., directly across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, the university is uniquely situated to serve the local community while achieving global reach. A U.S. Department of Education-designated Minority Serving Institution, the university thrives due to a supportive culture that helps students achieve their goals and fosters collaboration among employees. Rutgers–Camden is recognized as a national model for civically engaged urban universities and was selected by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for a Community Engagement classification. Washington Monthly magazine has ranked Rutgers University–Camden among its “Best Bang for the Buck” universities and best national research universities. Recently, Rutgers–Camden earned Carnegie classification as an R2 research university due to a high volume of internationally recognized research, creative output, and scholarly activity. Posting Summary The Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs (WRI) at Rutgers-Camden has been a long-standing and trusted regional community partner for over 20 years. WRI honors former Senator Rand’s dedication to Southern New Jersey and exists to produce and highlight community-focused research and evaluation leading to sound public policy and practice in the region. With that as a foundation, WRI convenes and engages stakeholders in making the connections across research, policy, and practice in support of Camden City and Southern New Jersey residents. Using social science research methods, WRI specializes in transforming data into actionable information across a variety of areas, including workforce development, education, transportation, and public/population health. WRI reinforces and amplifies Rutgers’ research, teaching, and service goals by connecting the multidisciplinary expertise of faculty to regional problems, developing research and professional skills in students, and linking the resources of higher education to communities in Southern New Jersey.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an influential organization with a mission of improving lives across the region and contributing significantly toward that mission. Under the direction of and in close collaboration with the WRI Director, the Senior Public Relations Specialist of Public Engagement and Communications (Public Engagement and Communications) will lead and execute strategic communications and public engagement activities that advance WRI’s mission and position within the university, region, and State.
Main responsibilities:

The Senior Public Relations Specialist (Public Engagement and Communications) will independently build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders across the region and State, including State and local government officials and agencies, community providers and organizations, members of the WRI Advisory Board, and Rutgers faculty and staff. This position will identify and create opportunities for WRI to share its research in a variety of settings with the aforementioned stakeholders and expand its reach to new audiences. They will liaise with the Rutgers-Camden Communications office, develop and execute strategic communications plans for all of WRI’s public-facing research, and lead WRI’s communications operations.
● Leverage existing relationships and build new connections with South Jersey and State partners and legislators to build awareness of WRI’s research in public settings● Develop and execute communications and dissemination strategy for all WRI research projects and lead internal WRI Content and Dissemination working group● Develop and, in collaboration with WRI staff, execute public-facing content strategy for WRI: e.g. annual report, fact sheets, research briefs, research snapshots, blog posts, etc.● In collaboration with the WRI Department Administrator, plan and execute research-based meetings, convenings, conferences, and webinars – e.g. potential “State of South Jersey” conference; series of South Jersey forums connecting research to policy and community needs; events discussing community-focused research agendas, WRI Open House connecting faculty, WRI, and community partners● Manage WRI website, social media channels, WRImpact blog – develop and post content, develop and execute plan for increasing engagement and followers/subscribers● Faculty engagement: develop and execute engagement strategies to connect faculty and university to WRI’s work and vice versa● WRI Advisory Board: leverage relationships and make connections that support WRI’s public engagement goals● Liaise with university communications office to manage media relations and build awareness of WRI’s work at the university level
In this position, the Senior Public Relations Specialist is both leader and executor of all responsibilities and the workload will be manageable. With the exception of a potential part-time student communications associate (not guaranteed), it is not anticipated that there will be any direct reports for the position.

Position Status Full Time Hours Per Week 37.5 Daily Work Shift Day Work Arrangement Consistent with the current application of Rutgers Policy 60.3.22, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. The flexible work arrangements outlined in Rutgers Policy 60.3.22 are part of a pilot program that is effective September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2024. Therefore, there is no guarantee that this flexible work arrangement will continue beyond that date. Flexible work arrangements are not permanent, are subject to change or cancellation and contingent on the employee receiving approval in the FlexWork@RU Application System. Additional information may be found at https://futureofwork.rutgers.edu. FLSA Exempt Grade 06 Position Salary Starting salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, within university policy and salary schedules, as well as departmental budgets. Annual Minimum Salary 72833.000 Annual Mid Range Salary 90741.000 Annual Maximum Salary 108649.000 Standard Hours 37.50 Union Description URA-AFT Administrative Payroll Designation PeopleSoft Benefits Rutgers offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. For details, please go to http://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/benefits-overview.



Seniority Unit Terms of Appointment Staff - 12 month Position Pension Eligibility ABP