Student Public Relations Director, Alternative Breaks

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 for future AB leaders and to ensure communication is prompt and relevant to adequately promote AB experiences and opportunities.

5% - Additional relevant tasks and projects as determined throughout the term

During the semester term of the appointment, the student hourly must be enrolled in no fewer than 6 credit hours. For summer periods the student hourly must: (1) have been enrolled in no less than 6 hours in the past spring semester or (2) be pre-enrolled in the upcoming fall semester in no less than 6 hours or (3) be enrolled in summer session or (4) be admitted to study in the upcoming fall semester. Student Hourlies may be undergraduate or graduate students. (Exceptions granted for GRA/GTA/GA appointments DO NOT apply to Student Hourly appointments).

(1) Student employees are not eligible for remote work arrangements unless an exception is approved by the unit leadership and HR.

(2) This is an hourly/non-exempt position. A student employee cannot hold an hourly/non-exempt position and a salaried/exempt graduate or undergraduate position (GRA/GTA/GA/RUA/RGA) concurrently.

Your application must consist of each of the following:

• Completion of the online application form.
• Current Resume (KU’s University Career Center has helpful resources for ensuring that your resume is the best it can be)
• Resume: career.ku.edu/resumes

The selected applicant for this position will be expected to attend a leadership/turnover meeting mid-April. More details will be provided if selected for an interview.

Please share your portfolio or several examples of previous work. If selected for an interview, the hiring committee will ask you to talk through your process for designing items and soliciting feedback.

To ensure consideration apply by 11:59 PM Central Standard Time 2/24/2026.

Kate Kemper or Steph Ruppen: csl@ku.edu

$11.25 per hour

Monday June 22, 2026