Student Public Relations Director, Alternative Breaks

Overview

The Public Relations Director oversees and manages communication efforts to increase awareness of Alternative Breaks’ (AB) mission, engage new participants, and maintain a strong public image for the organization. This position will serve as a key contact for internal and external people, create compelling media content, and ensure consistent and effective communication across platforms. The Public Relations Director will work closely with the Executive Director and the volunteer CORE Outreach Team, contributing to the overall success and growth of AB.

The Public Relations Director works to use a variety of strategies to spread the word about Alternative Breaks programs (flyers and brochures, ads, student organization and classroom visits, information sessions, tabling efforts, chalking, social media campaigns, etc.). The Public Relations Director is also responsible for drafting any press releases and alerting campus and local news agencies about AB volunteer opportunities and the work students do on their breaks.

They are also responsible for maintaining and updating the Alternative Breaks social media presence and designing/ordering t-shirts.

The Public Relations Director reports to the two Alternative Breaks Co-Directors and is supported by their Staff Advisor(s). This position will work closely with the Fundraising Coordinator for upcoming events and fundraising activities. The Public Relations Director must be available to CORE during the upcoming summer and throughout their position, including during Alternative Breaks travel periods, and for turnover the following year.

Hiring, weekly hour maximum, and hourly rate of pay are contingent on KU Student Senate funding.

40% - Internal and External Media Development and Management

• Lead the creation of social media content, trip promotional materials, etc.
• Work closely with the Executive Director as well the volunteer Outreach team (Social Media Coordinator, Graphic Design Coordinator, and Outreach Committee of CORE) to ensure accurate, engaging, and timely promotional programming; lead social media engagement and other outreach channels.
• Maintain the website to ensure timely and current information on Alternative Break opportunities and experiences.
• Maintain brand consistency and ADA accessibility across digital media content.

30% - Internal Collaboration, Development, and Management

• Support incoming/outgoing Directors in facilitating volunteer CORE interviews, selection, new coordinator hiring, and turnover tasks.
• Maintain reasonable availability during academic breaks to manage Alternative Break experiences.
• Meet with volunteer CORE, Directors, and Advisor(s) as necessary; lead meetings for the Outreach Team.
• Meet at least bi-weekly with other Directors (Managing and Executive) to discuss updates on public relations, internal management, and AB programming.
• Serve as the lead contact for the Outreach Team (volunteer), and an effective point of contact for potential community partners. Organize and lead bi-weekly meetings regularly with the volunteer Outreach Team in partnership with the Executive Director.

20% - Campus Engagement & Promotion

• Serve as a point of contact for AB executive CORE members, Advisors, AB partnerships, and current and potential partners across campus (CSL, Departmental Deans, Student Senate, etc.).
• Lead outreach and coordination of partnerships to increase the participants in AB, and the student body’s knowledge of the opportunities with AB.
• Arrange, support, and facilitate classroom visits, tabling events, and general engagement to promote Alternative Breaks to students on-campus.
• Coordinate with the Executive Director, finance team, and relevant volunteer CORE for promoting fundraising for Alternative Breaks.

5% - Process Documentation & Development

• Develop and follow a standard annual timeline and process for updating the website, social media, and all things relevant to public relations to ensure a timely, engaging, and thorough image of KU Alternative Breaks.
• Document and update processes related to internal and external communication as related to Alternative Break partnerships to create a manual/guide…