Special Assistant to the Associate Vice President, Communications and External Relations

Fashion Institute of Technology

$95K — $105K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, or related field.
  • Minimum of five (5) years' experience in communications/marketing, preferably in public relations or arts-related fields.
  • Experience supporting senior leadership roles is required.
  • Preferred 5-10+ years' experience in a similar function.
  • Familiarity with the fashion or design industries is a plus.

Responsibilities

  • Contribute to the execution of integrated communication strategies and manage agency relations.
  • Assist with logistics for press, photography, and video coordination.
  • Create and maintain communications materials and departmental resources.
  • Build relationships with media contacts.
  • Analyze research to inform strategic communications for FIT.
  • Track project execution and manage timelines with project leads.
  • Support crisis communications and special projects as needed.

Benefits

  • Retirement Plans
  • Health Care and Dental Plans
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Commuter Benefit Plan
  • FIT Tuition Exemption Program
  • Paid Time Off (Vacation, Personal, Sick and Holidays)
  • 4-day Summer Workweek
  • Qualifying Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
Full Job Description
Job Description:

As a trusted operational partner to the AVP, this role coordinates a range of integrated activities across the Communications and External Relations division and supports work related to earned and new media, high-profile events, and special projects. Responsibilities may include but are not limited to project management; research and reporting; press outreach; writing; and scheduling and logistics. The portfolio includes the college, the FIT Foundation, and The Museum at FIT. The role requires periodic after-hours work to support initiatives and crisis communications.

Responsibilities & Essential Functions:

Communications, Media & Brand Support
  • Contribute to the development and execution of integrated communications strategies and play a key role in agency relations and project tracking.
  • Assist the AVP and project leads with the logistics and coordination of press, photography, and video.
  • Support the creation of communications materials and content, and update/maintain key departmental resources and reports.
  • Cultivate and maintain relationships with media.
  • Prepare and analyze research to help inform strategies to advance the goals of FIT.

Administrative & Operational
  • Facilitate and track the execution of projects by coordinating with and supporting project leads, and manage timelines to ensure accountability in the delivery of outcomes.
  • Maintain the master department calendar and assist with meeting scheduling and preparation, as well as follow-up action plans.
  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external partners, providing exceptional service and support.
  • Ensure staff compliance with FIT policies and internal procedures.

Other
  • Support emergency and crisis communications functions as needed, tracking related press and social media discourse.
  • Assist with special projects and other duties as assigned.
  • Maintain heightened discretion with confidential information.

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position; other duties may be assigned consistent with the classification of the position.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, or related field.
  • Minimum of five (5) years' professional experience in communications and/or marketing, preferably at a public relations/advertising agency, or in arts, culture or higher education communications.
  • Experience supporting senior leadership.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • 5-10+ years' professional experience preferred.
  • Experience in or familiarity with the fashion or design industries.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
  • Detail-oriented.
  • Excellent writing, editing, and presentation skills, and track record of success in project management - with a major focus on details and planning.
  • Proactive and enthusiastic, with a proven ability to perform in a fast-paced environment, completing multiple projects on tight deadlines.
  • Strong command and knowledge of social media and technology, with the ability to utilize all methodologies and platforms.
  • Solid organizational and interpersonal abilities.
  • Sound judgment in handling assignments and departmental priorities, with ability to meet competing deadlines and resolve problems efficiently.
  • Confident and creative, with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
  • Ability to demonstrate discretion when handling sensitive and confidential information.
  • Energized and nimble team player, committed to advancing the goals of FIT.

Additional Information:

Please note all offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of the background check process.

Salary

Salary: $95,000 - $105,000 per year; commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Work Schedule

Days/Hours: M-F, 9am-5pm; in person; work schedule subject to change based on needs of the department.

Benefits

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) provides comprehensive employee benefit programs designed to help keep our faculty and staff and their families healthy, safe, happy, and productive. Our programs also include a variety of components to help our employees improve the quality and balance of their work and family lives, and to help them prepare for their futures.
  • Retirement Plans
  • Health Care Plan and Dental Plan
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Commuter Benefit Plan
  • FIT Tuition Exemption Program
  • Paid Time Off (Vacation, Personal, Sick and Holidays)
  • 4-day Summer Workweek
  • Qualifying Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

For a full list of FIT benefits, visit our benefits webpage.

Visa Sponsorship

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship by the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

The working conditions for this position will be primarily in an office space. The physical requirement for this position will require constant sitting, occasional standing, occasional bending, occasional walking, and occasionally lifting 10 lbs. or less.

Application Instructions:

In order to be considered for this position, please submit the following documents online:
  • Resume
  • Cover letter
  • Unofficial Transcript
  • A list of three references with telephone numbers and email addresses

Returning Applicants - Login to your FITNYC Careers Account to check your submitted application material.

Review of applications will begin immediately until the position is filled.

Please note that due to the volume of applications, we will not be able to contact each applicant individually.

Additional information about the Fashion Institute of Technology can be found at: http://www.fitnyc.edu.

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