Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Public Relations

Public Relations Managers predominantly work within the University’s Office of Strategic Communications to direct and implement the University’s public relations strategies; manage media relations, announcements, editorial placement, and speaking opportunities; evaluate and authorize all forms of communication regarding the University for release to the public; oversee the development of press releases, white papers, and supporting materials; organize and act as spokesperson at events; oversee responses to inquiries (i.e. inquiries from the public, the press, government agencies, etc.).

• Oversee staff of public relations specialists focused on identifying differentiating stories and strategically driving high-profile placements in international, national, state, regional, and local media
• Lead the development of effective communications strategies such as targeted media pitches, op-eds, news releases, integrated communications recommendations, speeches, targeted social media, and media events
• Create proactive communications scenarios, strategies, and plans; use innovative communications actions to attain various University priorities including, but not limited to, enrollment growth, relationship building, brand awareness, reputational maintenance, internal messaging, and fund raising
• Develop and oversee day-to-day media operations, policies, procedures, and technologies
• Oversee daily media monitoring of Penn State and higher education news trends to inform leadership, the Board of Trustees, and communicators of the Penn State narrative within influential media and proactively identify opportunities for reputation management, as well as positive storytelling
• Play a key role in Penn State's emergency operations plans; oversee and implement the University's crisis communications plans
• Offer advice and counsel to senior leadership on public relations issues and challenges; write stories, statements, fact sheets, responses, FAQs, and core messages
• Serve as spokesperson for the University to answer questions and recommend responses; handle incoming media contacts on sensitive issues, and determine resolution
• Lead the collaboration and relationship building with communicators across the University to provide counsel and expertise in determining appropriate media strategies that assist in raising awareness of Penn State's strengths, priorities, its people, and its research enterprise
• May develop and implement government affairs strategies focused on building relationships with public officials through engagement, communication, education, and advocacy efforts that build increased awareness of and support for the University
• Supervise, coach, and develop assigned staff; oversee performance review process; develop and manage relevant budgets; participate as a member of boards, teams, committees, associations, etc., as necessary

Level:

– Manager

Base Description:

– Manages direct reports where primary duty is the management of a working unit.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates proficient ability in work design, project management, financial planning and development of goals for accomplishing unit assignments. Reviews and guides work to ensure conformity to policy and effective approaches. Evaluates employee performance and recommend development opportunities. Demonstrates ability to coach employees. Presents and communicates key university indicatives and connects it to unit contributions. Provides broad guidelines. Develops, evaluates, enhances, and/or implements quality improvement practices. Recommends innovative solutions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Oversees a team (typically 4 or more; no fewer than 2) full
– time direct reports of individual contributors and/or first level supervisors.

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Monitors and tracks department/area budget
– May plan, forecast, and/or assist in developing budgets
– May have final signature authority for specific area

Problem Solving:

– Encounters varied and complex problems
– Helps to develop creative and/or novel approaches to resolve problems that are difficult in nature but within limited scope
– Modifies, adapts, or refines guidelines if necessary to resolve issues or problems

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on complex or strategic assignments
– Uses existing practices and advanced working knowledge to determine appropriate work methods for the team
– Reviews completed work of others for conformity to policy, and effectiveness of approach
– Delegates advanced tasks to others

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates with both internal and external audiences
– Collaborates closely with team members and various areas across the University
– Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and delivers to a broad variety of audiences
– Communicates key university initiatives and how unit’s work contributes to their achievement
– Presents ideas, concepts and instructions in a clear manner, and uses persuasion and negotiation to build consensus and cooperation
– Establishes and maintains networks to facilitate successful communication among units

• Comp Grade – 13
• Minimum – $86,300.00
• MidPoint – $107,900.00
• Maximum – $129,500.00