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

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