The University of Texas at Austin
Executive Director of Media Relations
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, us, 78716
Executive Director of Media Relations
University Marketing and Communications
Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS
Purpose As Texas' flagship university, The University of Texas at Austin 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 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
Public Relations and Proactive Pitching: 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 UMAC’s social media, multimedia, and content strategy teams and prioritize positive placements supporting academic and research excellence. Create a rigorous op‑ed program to enhance UT Austin’s state and national thought leadership and coordinate with communicators in colleges, schools and units to ensure a strong, centralized strategy.
Managing Crises and Reputational Issues in the Media: Collaborate with the Director of Issues Management to develop and refine crisis communications strategies, playbooks, and messages. Respond to unforeseen crises and threats to the university’s reputation, shape stakeholder perceptions about strategic initiatives and priorities, and elevate the crisis communication function across centralized units.
Leadership & Collaboration: Lead and develop a team of media relations professionals to create and deliver multi‑channel earned media plans supporting university goals. Serve as a member of the UMAC leadership team and build partnerships with vice‑presidential portfolios, marketing and communications leaders, and stakeholders across campus.
Media Training and Consultation: Develop and implement a media training program for university leadership, faculty and staff, proactively meeting with leaders and key faculty to 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 on media coverage reach and impact, refine PR and social media strategies, and provide leadership with impact data.
Other related functions as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, crisis communications, strategic communications, marketing, or a related field.
At least 8 years of experience managing media relations for a large institution of higher education or other large organization.
Deep expertise in developing media relations plans for known and anticipated issues, enabling effective responses to unforeseen crises.
Strong track record of managing a productive staff across PR, crisis communication, issues management, executive communications, and internal communications.
Demonstrated ability to build relationships with national reporters and pitch stories to generate favorable coverage.
Substantial experience synthesizing and articulating the mission and priorities of a large, complex organization and implementing a communications strategy to enhance reputation.
Experience building influence and alignment across a decentralized enterprise.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree.
Higher education experience preferred.
Experience navigating legislative and governmental affairs communication issues.
Experience collaborating with content marketing, advertising, creative and web teams.
Willingness and ability to bring ideas from across higher education and other industries to develop distinctive and effective communications strategies 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 issue‑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
Three work references with contact information (at least one from a supervisor)
Three samples of professional writing for media relations purposes
Employment Eligibility Regular staff who have worked in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings under university‑wide or open recruiting, including promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.
Background Checks A criminal history background check will be required for finalists 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. Employees who have access to compensation information cannot disclose it unless required by law or their job duties.
Employment Eligibility Verification If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I‑9 form and present acceptable and original documents to prove identity and authorization to work in the United States no later than the third day of employment. Failure to comply will result in termination.
E‑Verify
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). The Clery Act requires notification of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. Employees can access the most recent report or obtain a copy from University Compliance Services.
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Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS
Purpose As Texas' flagship university, The University of Texas at Austin 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 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
Public Relations and Proactive Pitching: 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 UMAC’s social media, multimedia, and content strategy teams and prioritize positive placements supporting academic and research excellence. Create a rigorous op‑ed program to enhance UT Austin’s state and national thought leadership and coordinate with communicators in colleges, schools and units to ensure a strong, centralized strategy.
Managing Crises and Reputational Issues in the Media: Collaborate with the Director of Issues Management to develop and refine crisis communications strategies, playbooks, and messages. Respond to unforeseen crises and threats to the university’s reputation, shape stakeholder perceptions about strategic initiatives and priorities, and elevate the crisis communication function across centralized units.
Leadership & Collaboration: Lead and develop a team of media relations professionals to create and deliver multi‑channel earned media plans supporting university goals. Serve as a member of the UMAC leadership team and build partnerships with vice‑presidential portfolios, marketing and communications leaders, and stakeholders across campus.
Media Training and Consultation: Develop and implement a media training program for university leadership, faculty and staff, proactively meeting with leaders and key faculty to 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 on media coverage reach and impact, refine PR and social media strategies, and provide leadership with impact data.
Other related functions as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, crisis communications, strategic communications, marketing, or a related field.
At least 8 years of experience managing media relations for a large institution of higher education or other large organization.
Deep expertise in developing media relations plans for known and anticipated issues, enabling effective responses to unforeseen crises.
Strong track record of managing a productive staff across PR, crisis communication, issues management, executive communications, and internal communications.
Demonstrated ability to build relationships with national reporters and pitch stories to generate favorable coverage.
Substantial experience synthesizing and articulating the mission and priorities of a large, complex organization and implementing a communications strategy to enhance reputation.
Experience building influence and alignment across a decentralized enterprise.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree.
Higher education experience preferred.
Experience navigating legislative and governmental affairs communication issues.
Experience collaborating with content marketing, advertising, creative and web teams.
Willingness and ability to bring ideas from across higher education and other industries to develop distinctive and effective communications strategies 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 issue‑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
Three work references with contact information (at least one from a supervisor)
Three samples of professional writing for media relations purposes
Employment Eligibility Regular staff who have worked in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings under university‑wide or open recruiting, including promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.
Background Checks A criminal history background check will be required for finalists 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. Employees who have access to compensation information cannot disclose it unless required by law or their job duties.
Employment Eligibility Verification If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I‑9 form and present acceptable and original documents to prove identity and authorization to work in the United States no later than the third day of employment. Failure to comply will result in termination.
E‑Verify
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). The Clery Act requires notification of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. Employees can access the most recent report or obtain a copy from University Compliance Services.
#J-18808-Ljbffr