Inside Higher Ed
Director, University Media Relations
Inside Higher Ed, Palo Alto, California, United States, 94306
Join to apply for the
Director, University Media Relations
role at
Stanford University .
Main Work Location:
Stanford historic campus Schedule:
Hybrid (must be able to work at least 2-3 days per week on-site)
Position Summary The Director, University Media Relations will manage a high volume of inbound media inquiries and contribute to proactive story pitching for one of the world’s most recognizable research universities. Success in this role depends on sophisticated media response strategies and excellent, trust‑based relationships with reporters and editors. The Director will be an on‑the‑record spokesperson for institutional and administrative issues and will provide background briefings as needed. A core responsibility is building and maintaining productive relationships across the media landscape, including with local and regional outlets and student media.
In This Role, You Will
Build, cultivate, and sustain trusted relationships with journalists and editors, including from local media outlets and student media.
Proactively engage reporters to provide context and cultivate understanding of university issues.
Serve as an on‑the‑record university spokesperson on institutional and administrative matters and provide background briefings as appropriate.
Develop and execute rapid‑response strategies for media inquiries; draft statements, Q&As, talking points, and key messages in coordination with campus units and subject‑matter experts.
Prepare and brief leaders and experts for interviews and media engagements, including developing background materials, key messages, and conducting media training and coaching.
Coordinate and staff interviews, press briefings, and background sessions; ensure accurate follow‑up and timely information flow.
Foster strong internal relationships with communicators across schools and units to ensure consistent, aligned messaging and effective media coordination.
Perform other duties as assigned.
To Be Successful In This Role You Will Bring
Bachelor’s degree and eight years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.
Demonstrated success as an on‑the‑record spokesperson and in conducting effective background briefings; command of media attribution conventions and reporter engagement best practices.
Proven ability to build, maintain, and leverage relationships with journalists across beats and platforms, including student and local media.
Strong strategic communications background, including issues management, and media strategy within complex, decentralized organizations.
Exceptional news judgment and the ability to rapidly assess and prioritize fast‑evolving issues.
Advanced skill in quickly grasping and synthesizing complex topics in higher education (e.g., governance, research, student life, finance, regulation) and translating them into clear, accurate, and compelling messages.
Excellent writing and editing skills; strong research and analytical abilities; meticulous attention to accuracy and detail.
Comfortable advising senior leaders and providing candid, actionable feedback on media strategy and messaging.
Collaborative mindset and experience working effectively with communications teams across a campus or similarly complex environment.
Ability to perform in deadline‑driven, high‑pressure situations with sound professional judgment.
Experience with media databases and monitoring tools (e.g., Muck Rack, Salesforce, or similar).
Higher education experience is preferred.
Journalism background or agency experience is desirable.
Pay The expected pay range for this position is $153,494 – $177,044 per annum.
Benefits Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs. Details about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.
Physical Requirements
Constantly perform desk‑based computer tasks.
Frequently stand/walk, sit, use a telephone, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, speaking.
Occasionally grasp forcefully, writing by hand.
Rarely sort/file paperwork.
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.
Employment Standards & EEO Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Director, University Media Relations
role at
Stanford University .
Main Work Location:
Stanford historic campus Schedule:
Hybrid (must be able to work at least 2-3 days per week on-site)
Position Summary The Director, University Media Relations will manage a high volume of inbound media inquiries and contribute to proactive story pitching for one of the world’s most recognizable research universities. Success in this role depends on sophisticated media response strategies and excellent, trust‑based relationships with reporters and editors. The Director will be an on‑the‑record spokesperson for institutional and administrative issues and will provide background briefings as needed. A core responsibility is building and maintaining productive relationships across the media landscape, including with local and regional outlets and student media.
In This Role, You Will
Build, cultivate, and sustain trusted relationships with journalists and editors, including from local media outlets and student media.
Proactively engage reporters to provide context and cultivate understanding of university issues.
Serve as an on‑the‑record university spokesperson on institutional and administrative matters and provide background briefings as appropriate.
Develop and execute rapid‑response strategies for media inquiries; draft statements, Q&As, talking points, and key messages in coordination with campus units and subject‑matter experts.
Prepare and brief leaders and experts for interviews and media engagements, including developing background materials, key messages, and conducting media training and coaching.
Coordinate and staff interviews, press briefings, and background sessions; ensure accurate follow‑up and timely information flow.
Foster strong internal relationships with communicators across schools and units to ensure consistent, aligned messaging and effective media coordination.
Perform other duties as assigned.
To Be Successful In This Role You Will Bring
Bachelor’s degree and eight years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.
Demonstrated success as an on‑the‑record spokesperson and in conducting effective background briefings; command of media attribution conventions and reporter engagement best practices.
Proven ability to build, maintain, and leverage relationships with journalists across beats and platforms, including student and local media.
Strong strategic communications background, including issues management, and media strategy within complex, decentralized organizations.
Exceptional news judgment and the ability to rapidly assess and prioritize fast‑evolving issues.
Advanced skill in quickly grasping and synthesizing complex topics in higher education (e.g., governance, research, student life, finance, regulation) and translating them into clear, accurate, and compelling messages.
Excellent writing and editing skills; strong research and analytical abilities; meticulous attention to accuracy and detail.
Comfortable advising senior leaders and providing candid, actionable feedback on media strategy and messaging.
Collaborative mindset and experience working effectively with communications teams across a campus or similarly complex environment.
Ability to perform in deadline‑driven, high‑pressure situations with sound professional judgment.
Experience with media databases and monitoring tools (e.g., Muck Rack, Salesforce, or similar).
Higher education experience is preferred.
Journalism background or agency experience is desirable.
Pay The expected pay range for this position is $153,494 – $177,044 per annum.
Benefits Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs. Details about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.
Physical Requirements
Constantly perform desk‑based computer tasks.
Frequently stand/walk, sit, use a telephone, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, speaking.
Occasionally grasp forcefully, writing by hand.
Rarely sort/file paperwork.
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.
Employment Standards & EEO Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
#J-18808-Ljbffr