Senior Director, Media Relations

Company Description

Adtalem

At Adtalem Global Education, we seek to empower students and members to achieve their goals, find success and make inspiring contributions to our global community. Adtalem is a leading healthcare educator that partners with organizations to proactively address future workforce needs and empowers career development with access to world-class academic curriculums, certifications and training programs across the medical and healthcare industries.

Adtalem institutions and companies include: American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Chamberlain University, Ross University School of Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, and Walden University. (NYSE: ATGE; member S&P MidCap 400 Index) For more information, please visit adtalem.com.

We are a high-performing team that meets in person to learn and collaborate as needed. This role is considered hybrid, which means you’ll be assigned to our Chicago office and given the flexibility to work remotely. We are looking for someone to be on-site 2-3 days a week.

Job Description

Opportunity at a Glance
The Senior Director, Media Relations is responsible for the development and implementation of Adtalem Global Education's strategy and approach to earned media storytelling.  The Senior Director, Media Relations is a strategic leader with deep experience in media relations.  In this role, they will manage a team of public relations professionals, as well as outside agencies and other resources to drive the enterprise external communications strategy through earned media storytelling and enhance and protect the company brand.   

Responsibilities

Communications Strategy and Leadership

• Develops and oversees execution of an integrated media relations plan, directly managing proactive earned media strategy and activities that advance that advance Adtalem Global Education’s reputation and brand narrative among key external stakeholders. 
• Creates a earned media and storytelling strategy that will allow Adtalem Global Education to cultivate meaningful relationships with targeted, high-level external audiences.   
• Provides strategic media relations counsel and leadership to Adtalem Global Education’s CEO, executive leadership team and institution leaders positively positioning the organization and its institutions.  
• Identifies challenges and emerging issues faced by the organization; works with team across Adtalem Global Education institutions to recognize and deliver solutions to reputational risks and opportunities.  
• Serves as an ambassador for the organization, building constructive relationships with top tier media.  
• Works closely with Government Relations, Compliance, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications teams to ensure integration and understanding of the earned media strategy, as well as processes and procedures for proactive and reactive media engagement.
• Promotes a culture of high performance and continuous improvement; supports and demonstrates Adtalem Global Education’s values.

Communications Operations

• Oversees the development and execution of all Adtalem Global Education and institution media relations and storytelling strategy.  
• Directs the activities and oversees ROI of all external communications consultants/vendor relations. 
• Exercises judgment in prioritizing proactive and reactive media opportunities, directing and preparing talking points and key messages, media briefing documents, and executive-level presentations. 
• Serves as spokesperson and lead point person on media interactions that help promote or impact the organization.  
• Leads the Adtalem Global Education media relations team, with responsibility for Adtalem Global Education and its institutions’ press, media management, news bureau, newsrooms, etc.  
• Directs the day-to-day activities of the media relations function including budgeting, planning and colleague development. 
• Establishes and monitors team performance and development goals, assigns accountabilities and objectives, establishes priorities, conducts annual performance appraisals and compensation reviews. 
• Completes other duties as assigned.  
• Complies with all policies and standards

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in journalism, communications required or related field
• an advance degree Preferred
• 15 years experience in media relations.  
• Experience in strategic communications leadership, including the development and implementation of comprehensive external communications programs and reputation management. 
• Experience leading and developing successful teams, reporting directly and indirectly (on a centralized and decentralized basis).