External Relations Specialist

Position Description The External Relations Specialist advances Biola University's reputation by shaping, protecting and promoting its public presence across earned media and high-visibility third-party platforms. This role is responsible for developing and executing strategic media relations efforts that tell Biola's story with clarity and credibility across print, broadcast and digital outlets, while also actively monitoring and managing the university's presence on platforms such as Reddit, Wikipedia and Google Reviews. Working in close collaboration with the Senior Director of University Communications, the specialist identifies, develops and pitches compelling stories that elevate Biola's brand, academic distinctives and institutional priorities. The role cultivates relationships with media and key external stakeholders, coordinates proactive and reactive media opportunities, and supports the university in responding to emerging narratives with discernment and timeliness. The specialist also serves as a central hub for media intelligence - monitoring, analyzing and synthesizing coverage to provide insights to university leadership. This includes tracking media placements, reporting on performance metrics and flagging potential reputational risks. Through consistent storytelling, relationship-building and vigilant oversight of external channels, this role ensures Biola's voice is both influential and faithfully represented in the public sphere. Alignment with Theological Positions The person who fills this position must be someone who personally agrees with Biola's Articles of Faith and Statement of Biblical Principles and who is supportive of the positions taken by Biola as contained in its Eschatology Teaching Position. As such, this person may not speak against or act in a manner inconsistent with these positions during the course of their employment at Biola. Department University Communications and Brand Marketing Supervisor This position reports to the Senior Director of University Communications. Supervise: 1 Student Intern Educational Requirements Must have a B.A. in communication, journalism, public relations, English or related discipline and at least five (5) years of relevant experience in a similar communications role within a complex organization. Work Requirements ● Non-exempt (02), full-time - 40 hours/week, 12 months per year, in-person ● 5-10 years of experience in communications and/or writing, in higher education is a plus. Essential Duties ● Cultivates and develops professional media relationships to expand Biola's reach, reputation and resourcefulness in the eyes of the media. Pitches creative story opportunities to reporters that result in increased media coverage. ● Conducts research and interviews to develop newsworthy stories for external media and Biola's website. ● Coordinates press conferences and media opportunities at Biola and out on-location, ensuring spokespeople are equipped with talking points and are fully aware of the university's messaging objectives. ● Develops media lists and pitch reporters using Meltwater, X, article research and other tactics. ● Develops press kits for large-scale events ● Be part of the EmpoweRed Campaign team that reviews stories submitted by admin. ● Cultivate relationships with faculty and academic administration to produce high-quality op-eds, research and story ideas on faculty, students and alumni to pitch to the media. ● Develops and writes well-researched news releases using AP style, media advisories, talking points, and news stories for Biola's website (ie. Biola News, school news pages, blogs) and Biola's Merit Pages. ● Manages Biola's pressroom including adding articles to "in the news" page and updating quick facts, stock photos and assists with copy editing news articles for Biola News. ● Serves on the Student Media Board and serves as lead liaison between administration and all student media groups - The Chimes, EagleVision, The Point and The Torch Biola Radio. Develops relationships with the student media leaders and pitches relevant Biola news and announcements to all student media groups. ● Establishes Google and Meltwater alerts, monitors all media activity and informs UC leadership and university administration of key stories that might negatively impact Biola. ● Develops innovative ways to maximize Meltwater's software ● Manages Biola's account on Profnet Query, HARO and Connectively by submitting experts when appropriate, monitors daily queries and responds when they relate to specific faculty and staff expertise by connecting faculty and staff members with news reporters. ● Serves as a member of the University Crisis Communications team by monitoring all media coverage during a crisis, manages media requests and produces a crisis media report. ● Writes summaries of national or high-profile news stories, both positive and negative, for distribution. ● Produces monthly reports (e.g. earned Media newsletter on all earned media placement and engagement, providing insights and analysis to help inform and guide our media strategy. ● Generates the Annual Media Report, which includes clips of all news stories in which Biola was mentioned using Meltwater. Summarizes all activity including analytics measuring media coverage, publicity value and reach. ● Remains current on media measurements, trends and opportunities, recommending modifications to the university's news media practices accordingly. ● Evaluate incoming paid news media opportunities in alignment with the University Marketing team. ● Spearheads Biola's Merit Pages efforts, guiding the use of the software to direct new opportunities to increase awareness of Biola to new audiences, raise inquiries related to Merit Page achievements and releases, mobilize student and university use of the program and creates content for Biola's Merit Page and produces strategic editorial calendar, annually. ● Manage Media Relations email account ● Serves as university liaison for media, facilitating university statements, quotes or interviews as requested. ● Provides media coaching to staff and faculty prior to media interviews for print, broadcast, podcasts, etc. ● In partnership with the Senior Director of University Communications, co-leads the cultivation and development of the media effectiveness of the faculty expert team. ● Manages university's relationships with vendors (e.g. Meltwater) ● Directs Faculty Profile development and ongoing edits, including management of Faculty Profile Admin team, onboarding and training in order for access to the news media. ● Maintain working relationships with organizations/publications that provide Biola with rankings, (i.e., TheWrap, Hollywood Reporter, MovieMaker, Filmmaker, Money, Wall Street Journal, etc.) and submit data to them when required throughout the year. ● Actively monitor conversations, mentions and sentiment related to Biola across third-party platforms including Reddit, Wikipedia, Google Reviews and similar forums. ● Identify emerging trends, recurring themes, and potential reputational risks in real time. ● Provide regular summaries and actionable insights to University Communications leadership. ● Create and implement engagement strategies tailored to each platform's norms, policies and audience expectations, and community management. ● Establish guidelines for when and how Biola should engage, respond or remain observant. ● Identify opportunities to positively influence narratives by elevating accurate, compelling and mission-aligned information about Biola. ● Coordinate updates to publicly visible information (e.g., Wikipedia pages) in accordance with platform policies and best practices. Other responsibilities: ● Assist in coordinating multimedia development, including photography, video, audio, podcasts, and new media for print, broadcast and web-based uses. ● Collaborates with UM design studio and oversees specific PR marketing collateral projects. ● Provides oversight with external film productions on campus and works with external vendors and serves as a Biola liaison. Qualifications ● 2-5 years experience in media relations and writing, in higher education is a plus. ● A clear understanding and demonstrated commitment to Biola's mission, vision and values. Demonstrates a high level of integrity and honesty. ● Must have a B.A. in communication, journalism, public relations, English or related discipline and at least five (5) years of relevant experience in a similar communications role within a complex organization. ● Must have demonstrated interpersonal skills in the ability to develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including media representatives. ● Must have strong writing skills, with a full understanding of AP style. ● Professional, composed, self-initiating worker. Ability to manage multiple tasks and work under pressure. Ability to work independently, managing his/her own workflow, prioritizing projects, planning for frequent deadlines and carry out duties in a timely manner. ● Excellent interpersonal skills and a positive team player. ● Personally supports Biola's Theological Positions and maintains a lifestyle consistent with sound Christian principles and standards of conduct promoted by the institution. ● Commitment to cultural competence and humility with staff, faculty, students and prospective families. Skills/Other: ● Concern for accuracy; attention to detail. Computer literacy in Microsoft Office programs including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Google Suite, and Apple products (Keynote, Pages). Effective written (grammar and spelling), oral, and interpersonal communication skills; diplomacy and a high level of confidentiality.

Created: 2026-04-03