Executive Director of Media Relations

Executive Director of Media Relations

The University of Texas at Austin, one of the nation's premier universities and the state's flagship institution, seeks to strengthen its global reputation through a proactive, strategic, and disciplined media relations function. The Executive Director of Media Relations serves as the campus-wide media relations leader responsible for developing a comprehensive strategy for earned media, strengthening relationships with key reporters and outlets, and protecting the University's reputation through both proactive and reactive management of media inquiries.

The Executive Director's scope includes :

• Lead university media relations efforts including proactive pitching and managing inquiries on University-level issues to drive reputation gains. Develop engaging news content, in collaboration with social media, multimedia, and content strategy teams, and prioritize positive placements supporting University priorities.
• Collaborate with the Director of Issues Management to develop and refine robust crisis communications strategies, playbooks, and messages to help the University prepare for known and anticipated issues and respond more effectively to unforeseen crises and threats to its reputation.
• Lead and develop a team of excellent media relations professionals to create and deliver multi-channel earned media plans that support university goals and initiatives, as well as the professional and career development goals of each individual.
• Develop and implement a media training program for members of University leadership and faculty and staff in support of developing brand messengers for the institution.
• Work with analytics team members and other staff to create regular reports and insights about the reach and impact of media coverage of UT Austin.
• Other related functions as assigned.

Required qualifications include a bachelor's degree, significant coursework in public relations, journalism, crisis communications, strategic communications, marketing, and / or public relations, and at least 8 years of experience managing media relations for a large institution of higher education or other large organization.

Preferred qualifications include a master's degree, higher education experience, experience navigating legislative and governmental affairs issues and communications, experience collaborating with content marketing, advertising, creative, and web teams, and willingness and ability to bring ideas from across higher education and other industries to develop a distinctive and effective communications strategy for UT Austin.

Salary range : $200,000+ negotiable depending upon experience.

Working conditions may include travel, extended hours for University events and issues-driven needs, and some nights and weekends during peak periods.

Required materials include a resume / CV, letter of interest, three work references with their contact information, and three samples of professional writing for media relations purposes.