Executive Director of Media Relations

Job Posting Title :

Executive Director of Media Relations

Hiring Department :

University Marketing and Communications

Position Open To : All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours :

40

FLSA Status : Exempt

Earliest Start Date :

Immediately

Position Duration : Expected to Continue

Location : UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details : General notes

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis for any employer without sponsorship.

Purpose

As the state of Texas' flagship University, The University of Texas at Austin is one of the nation's premier universities and seeks to strengthen its global reputation through a proactive, strategic and disciplined media relations function. To help us achieve this goal, 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.

Responsibilities

The Executive Director of Media Relations in University Marketing and Communications (UMAC) will lead and develop a team of energetic and strategic media relations professionals, issues managers and writers, in distilling, packaging and amplifying University priorities and key messages across earned media channels and audiences, resulting in broad message reach, resonance and adoption.

The Executive Director's scope includes the following :

Public Relations and Proactive Pitching : Lead university media relations efforts - including proactive pitching as well as managing inquiries on University-level issues - to drive reputation gains. Develop engaging news content, in collaboration with UMAC's social media, multimedia and content strategy teams, and prioritize positive placements supporting University priorities, including our academic and research excellence and groundbreaking research. Develop a rigorous op-ed program to enhance UT Austin's state and national thought leadership. Drive continued gains in placements in Tier One and other targeted media outlets. Coordinate with communicators in the colleges, schools and units to ensure a strong, centralized media relations strategy and operations, as well as clear protocols for sensitive issues that could surface in the media and need to be referred to UMAC for handling at a University level.

Managing Crises and Reputational Issues in the Media : 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. Develop effective plans to shape stakeholder perceptions about the University's strategic initiatives and priorities. Elevate the crisis communication function and level of integration across centralized units to deliver more cohesive messaging for the full range of stakeholders.

Leadership & Collaboration : 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. Serve as a member of the UMAC leadership team. Build strong partnerships and collaborate with communicators inside the vice-presidential portfolios, as well as marketing and communications leaders and other stakeholders across campus, including the Colleges & Schools, Admissions, University Development, Legal Affairs, Student Affairs, Governmental Affairs, and Research, among others.

Media Training and Consultation : 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, Proactively meet with leaders and key faculty members, seizing opportunities to connect them with reporters and position them for interview success.

Data Analysis, Tracking and Reporting : Work with analytics team members and other UMAC staff to create regular reports and insights about the reach and impact of media coverage of UT Austin. Leverage resulting data to refine and improve PR and social media strategies and tactics. Produce and contribute to reports for leadership that demonstrate the impact of our media relations activity.

Other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree, with significant coursework in public relations, journalism, crisis communications, strategic communications, marketing and / or public relations

At least 8 years of experience managing media relations and related efforts for a large institution of higher education or other large organization

Deep expertise in developing media relations plans in preparation for known and anticipated issues and that enable more effective response to unforeseen crises and reputation threats

Strong track record of managing a productive staff covering a wide variety of functions, including PR and media relations, crisis communications, issues management, presidential / executive communications, and internal communications

Demonstrated ability to build relationships with national reporters and pitch stories to media outlets at all levels to generate favorable coverage

Substantial experience in synthesizing and articulating the mission and priorities of a large, complex organization, and implementing a communications strategy and program to enhance the organization's reputation

Experience building influence and alignment with people across a large enterprise and navigating the complexities of a decentralized organization

Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree

Higher education experience preferred, but not required

Experience navigating legislative and governmental affairs issues and communications

Experience collaborating with content marketing, advertising, creative and web teams

Willingness and ability to bring ideas from across higher education and other industries to bear in developing a distinctive and effective communications strategy for UT Austin.

Salary Range

$200,000+ negotiable depending upon experience

Working Conditions

May travel in a limited fashion.

May work extended hours for University events and issues-driven needs.

Some nights and weekends may be required during peak periods.

Typical office environment.

This position is based in Austin, TX and is not eligible for remote work.

Required Materials

Resume / CV

Letter of interest

3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

3 samples of professional writing for media relations purposes

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers : You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers : As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above

Employment Eligibility :

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion / transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility :

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks :

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer :

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer ,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency :

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification :

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify :

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following :

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance :

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031 .

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.