Associate Director of Issues Management and Spokesperson
University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States
Job Summary
The Office of Strategic Relations and Communications (SRC) at CU Boulder invites applications for the
Associate Director of Issues Management and Spokesperson
position. This is a full‑time role in the Office of SRC, handling day‑to‑day issues that necessitate a media response or could require public messaging later. The position reports to the Director of Issues Management and Spokesperson and assists the Director in leading assignments across the Issues Management team. The Associate Director is responsible for carrying out key media communications plans and media responses for the entire campus, with a focus on Academic Affairs, including the Office of the Provost, faculty matters, Student Life, Enrollment Management, Registrar’s Office, Research and Innovation, and other areas of campus as assigned. Responsibilities include developing and disseminating institutional messages, talking points, official statements, and responses, and preparing faculty, staff, and administrators to engage with the media on issue‑driven breaking news and campus emergencies.
The Associate Director will also be involved with campus emergency communications and serve on the university’s Public Information Officer (PIO) on‑call rotation. Additionally, the position will be a member of the Emergency Services Public Information Officers of Colorado (ESPIOC) to stay abreast of best practices and develop relationships with other regional PIOs.
Primary Objectives
Regularly engage communication collaborators to evaluate their needs and improve effectiveness.
Proactively engage executive leadership on arising issues in a way that demonstrates preparedness.
Deliver well‑informed and detailed responses to media requests and other concerns.
Develop early communications plans to address a variety of markets and objectives.
Maintain a strong, protected university reputation at all times.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Who We Are As the university’s central marketing and communications team, Strategic Relations and Communications advances CU Boulder’s mission, vision, and reputation through an integrated communications approach that supports a campus‑wide experience that inspires greater affinity and engagement. We also advance national and global recognition of CU Boulder by demonstrating public value, improving inclusiveness in marketing and communications, and providing tools and processes for campus partners.
Responsibilities Key responsibilities include:
Coordinating and delivering timely, clear responses to media covering the university; developing quick media strategies, response plans, talking points, official statements, and social media messages; serving as spokesperson to advance them. This includes responding to emergencies promptly and proactively identifying potential crises/issues with strategic plans for addressing them. The Associate Director handles day‑to‑day media contacts and, with the Spokesperson, prepares and updates communication plans for major reputational issues. Training in emergency response communications protocols is provided. The role serves as on‑call weekend campus PIO and primary spokesperson in the Director’s absence.
Engaging directly with campus and system executive leadership to ensure proactive awareness and input on issue responses.
Conducting media training with campus partners to prepare them for media interviews.
Performing other writing, editing, and strategizing responsibilities as assigned.
What You Should Know This is a hybrid work opportunity that includes regular rotation as on‑call weekend campus PIO and as primary spokesperson in the Director’s absence.
What We Can Offer The annual salary range for this full‑time position is $110,000–$118,000.
Benefits CU Boulder offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. Additional perks and programs are available through the CU Advantage program.
Be Statements Be creative. Be impactful. Be Boulder.
What We Require
7+ years in media/public relations or a combination of reporting/editing for a media organization and/or institutional communications for a college, university, or public agency.
A bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations/advertising, or a related field.
What You Will Need
Ability to think quickly and apply guidelines in both institutional and crisis communications.
Calm, focused presence in print and broadcast interviews, with the ability to articulate complex policies clearly.
Strong listening skills, quick synthesis of complex information, and consensus building on public messages.
Proficient knowledge of Associated Press style.
Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and standards for the management and disclosure of public information.
Experience monitoring diverse media channels, including social media, broadcast, print, wire service, independent, and emerging media.
Ability to provide effective advice and counsel on strategic or critical communication issues and exercise sound judgment.
Experience creating communications plans, strategy documents, talking points, and issue primers for key executives and messengers.
Excellent writing skills requiring minimal editing.
High emotional intelligence, remaining calm and in control during stressful or emergency situations and engaging effectively at multiple organization layers.
What We Would Like You To Have
10 years in media/public relations or a combination of reporting/editing for a media organization and/or institutional communications.
1–3 years of experience as a spokesperson in higher education, preferably for a public college or university, or for an academic subdivision, or a local, state, or federal public agency.
Experience managing public messaging on high‑profile events or emergencies.
Fluency in Spanish.
To Apply, Please Submit The Following Materials
A current resume.
A cover letter that describes how your background and experience align with this position.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, you may redact or remove age‑identifying information such as age, date of birth, or graduation dates. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Please apply by
March 31st, 2026
for consideration. Application materials will not be accepted via email; submissions must be made through CU Boulder Jobs.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Associate Director of Issues Management and Spokesperson
position. This is a full‑time role in the Office of SRC, handling day‑to‑day issues that necessitate a media response or could require public messaging later. The position reports to the Director of Issues Management and Spokesperson and assists the Director in leading assignments across the Issues Management team. The Associate Director is responsible for carrying out key media communications plans and media responses for the entire campus, with a focus on Academic Affairs, including the Office of the Provost, faculty matters, Student Life, Enrollment Management, Registrar’s Office, Research and Innovation, and other areas of campus as assigned. Responsibilities include developing and disseminating institutional messages, talking points, official statements, and responses, and preparing faculty, staff, and administrators to engage with the media on issue‑driven breaking news and campus emergencies.
The Associate Director will also be involved with campus emergency communications and serve on the university’s Public Information Officer (PIO) on‑call rotation. Additionally, the position will be a member of the Emergency Services Public Information Officers of Colorado (ESPIOC) to stay abreast of best practices and develop relationships with other regional PIOs.
Primary Objectives
Regularly engage communication collaborators to evaluate their needs and improve effectiveness.
Proactively engage executive leadership on arising issues in a way that demonstrates preparedness.
Deliver well‑informed and detailed responses to media requests and other concerns.
Develop early communications plans to address a variety of markets and objectives.
Maintain a strong, protected university reputation at all times.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Who We Are As the university’s central marketing and communications team, Strategic Relations and Communications advances CU Boulder’s mission, vision, and reputation through an integrated communications approach that supports a campus‑wide experience that inspires greater affinity and engagement. We also advance national and global recognition of CU Boulder by demonstrating public value, improving inclusiveness in marketing and communications, and providing tools and processes for campus partners.
Responsibilities Key responsibilities include:
Coordinating and delivering timely, clear responses to media covering the university; developing quick media strategies, response plans, talking points, official statements, and social media messages; serving as spokesperson to advance them. This includes responding to emergencies promptly and proactively identifying potential crises/issues with strategic plans for addressing them. The Associate Director handles day‑to‑day media contacts and, with the Spokesperson, prepares and updates communication plans for major reputational issues. Training in emergency response communications protocols is provided. The role serves as on‑call weekend campus PIO and primary spokesperson in the Director’s absence.
Engaging directly with campus and system executive leadership to ensure proactive awareness and input on issue responses.
Conducting media training with campus partners to prepare them for media interviews.
Performing other writing, editing, and strategizing responsibilities as assigned.
What You Should Know This is a hybrid work opportunity that includes regular rotation as on‑call weekend campus PIO and as primary spokesperson in the Director’s absence.
What We Can Offer The annual salary range for this full‑time position is $110,000–$118,000.
Benefits CU Boulder offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. Additional perks and programs are available through the CU Advantage program.
Be Statements Be creative. Be impactful. Be Boulder.
What We Require
7+ years in media/public relations or a combination of reporting/editing for a media organization and/or institutional communications for a college, university, or public agency.
A bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations/advertising, or a related field.
What You Will Need
Ability to think quickly and apply guidelines in both institutional and crisis communications.
Calm, focused presence in print and broadcast interviews, with the ability to articulate complex policies clearly.
Strong listening skills, quick synthesis of complex information, and consensus building on public messages.
Proficient knowledge of Associated Press style.
Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and standards for the management and disclosure of public information.
Experience monitoring diverse media channels, including social media, broadcast, print, wire service, independent, and emerging media.
Ability to provide effective advice and counsel on strategic or critical communication issues and exercise sound judgment.
Experience creating communications plans, strategy documents, talking points, and issue primers for key executives and messengers.
Excellent writing skills requiring minimal editing.
High emotional intelligence, remaining calm and in control during stressful or emergency situations and engaging effectively at multiple organization layers.
What We Would Like You To Have
10 years in media/public relations or a combination of reporting/editing for a media organization and/or institutional communications.
1–3 years of experience as a spokesperson in higher education, preferably for a public college or university, or for an academic subdivision, or a local, state, or federal public agency.
Experience managing public messaging on high‑profile events or emergencies.
Fluency in Spanish.
To Apply, Please Submit The Following Materials
A current resume.
A cover letter that describes how your background and experience align with this position.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, you may redact or remove age‑identifying information such as age, date of birth, or graduation dates. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Please apply by
March 31st, 2026
for consideration. Application materials will not be accepted via email; submissions must be made through CU Boulder Jobs.
#J-18808-Ljbffr