Community Relations Manager

The Community Relations Manager (CRM) implements community relations and public relations strategies that advance the University’s goals with key external constituents. The CRM represents the University to the community at large through the development and maintenance of relationships with integral community groups, external agencies and/or other key parties. The Manager plays a vital role in supporting the mission and growth of the Barry Law network through engaging with community members to establish relationships and determine prospective strategic partners to join or align with our community.

• Align relationship building and outreach efforts with the law school’s strategic priorities. Specifically, develop and cultivate relationships with local entities including, but not exclusively: Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando, various Bar Associations (Florida Bar as well as local), regional health service providers (hospitals, foundations), local and national non –profits (United Way, Make-A-Wish, etc.).
• Develops and implements strategic external community outreach plans to support community engagement, public relations and communications goals and the University’s Strategic Plan.
• Develops written content and story material for the website and other external communications avenues.
• Serves as a key point of contact for regional businesses, industry, institutions, residents and community partners, including but not limited to: higher education, nonprofits, associations, chambers of commerce and neighborhood associations.
• Proactively initiates and supports opportunities for partnership with the Law School.
• Serves as the key point of contact related to logistics for sponsorships/partnerships with community partners.
• Regularly attends meetings of neighborhood associations, chambers of commerce, and other key regional associations. Regularly represents the Law School external partner events.
• Proactively seeks communications sharing and coordination with external partners and organizations, to jointly publicize their news and promote further collaboration.
• Supports management with press release and media advisory generation for key regional news related to community outreach and partnerships.
• Supports promotion of the Law School by way of liaising with local media, donors, alumni and other key constituents in alignment with the University’s Strategic Plan.
• Partners closely with Marketing and other administrators to share information and news, collaboratively maximizing awareness and communication of the work underway and determining how and when news will be disseminated, including the use of social media and other methods of communication.
• The manager approaches local media with story ideas and develops written content and story material in conjunction with Marketing. The incumbent partners with others to share news and information for cross-promotion purposes and to prevent duplication of effort.
• Assist Marketing and Public Relations Director in discovering public relations opportunities and in promoting Barry Law students, faculty, programs, and activities to corporate, alumni and community partners.
• Funnel creative content disseminated from the marketing department to constituents to establish strategic partnerships in legal community.
• Create clear messaging for partners about benefits of a strategic alliance. Network within the community to help build the Barry Law name and maintain awareness of community needs; find and establish possible synergies with other local businesses.

Build and establish a plan and targeted prospect list for potential business partners in the area. Cultivate the relationships with community partners through visits, phone calls, emails and social media interaction in garnering support and sponsorships for the law school. In addition, catalogue and coordinate all sponsorships already provided by Barry Law.

Coordination and management: Manage the Board of Advisors in coordination with the dean; organize the agenda for regular meetings, recruit and develop new members. Establish and implement guidelines to maximize opportunities for building relationships with external stakeholders, including prospect cultivation and donor relations. Work with the Dean to Cultivate small gift donations and establish opportunities for major gift donations.

This position may require working evenings and/or weekends.

This position requires an established presence in the Orlando local community, an entrepreneurial and outgoing personality, great communication skills, and the ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Educational/Experiential Requirements

-3-5 years of job related experience

-Required: Bachelor’s degree – Field of study: Communications, Business Administration, Education, Public Affairs, Public Administration, or related area.

Experience may substitute for some of the above education and describe how: Any equivalent combination of experience with event planning, volunteer management, and/or fundraising that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Relevant experience may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-  

Research and identifying potential grant opportunities, funding sources and donors for the law school and the ability to write and apply for grants.

Benefits: Barry University offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees that includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, tuition assistance, paid time off and work/life balance initiatives such as wellness programs, spirituality in the workplace, and training and development.

Barry University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.