Director of Communications & Media Relations

Director of Communications & Media Relations
Job no: 11300
Work type: Full Time
Location: Providence, Rhode Island
Categories: Staff/Administration, Calendar Year (12-Month), Marketing & Communications, Hybrid

Summary

Develops and executes strategic communications plans to promote the university’s key initiatives and advance the university’s reputation among targeted external and internal audiences. The Director oversees the creation and implementation of marketing campaigns across all communication channels with a particular focus on external media through the creation and/or sponsorship of events and earned media placements in regional and national news and trade publications

Essential Job Functions

Develops and executes an integrated media relations strategy that drives measurable outcomes, media coverage, name recognition, brand awareness and institutional reputation

Develops, executes and shapes key talking points and written communications in order to reinforce the university’s mission, values, and strategic priorities

Creates and implements media outreach opportunities to promote the university by generating earned media coverage by national, regional, local and trade media, especially outlets that cover higher education and the industries related to academic areas

Manages and responds to media relations inquiries to leverage internal expertise and manage institutional reputation

Serves as a university spokesperson and prepares designated spokespeople as subject matter experts or within crisis situations

Creates thought leadership opportunities to leverage academic and other leaders as experts and university spokespeople

Provides ongoing media training for leadership and faculty

Develops strategies for reaching alternative and non-traditional media outlets

Facilitates industry speaking engagements or panelist opportunities for the university’s senior leadership team

Creates and produces regular reports tied to goals and outcomes

Represents the university on various professional association committees and at professional conferences, as needed

Supervises and develops the department staff, facilitating professional opportunities to improve individual capability and managing performance against job accountabilities, department goals and established university, campus and department policies and procedures.

Performs other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

Minimum of a bachelor's degree

Significant amount of experience working in communications, media relations, public relations or other related experience

Preferred Qualifications

Proven track record of securing press coverage

Compensation : $105,000 - $110,000/annualized

This full-time position offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes the following:

health insurance

dental insurance

vision insurance

life insurance

long-term disability insurance

paid holidays

sick time

vacation time

a 401(k) retirement savings plan

health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA)

educational assistance benefits

an employee assistance program

Participation in any benefit is subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

The university reserves the right to modify, amend or terminate any benefit or benefit programs as they apply to any participants, including but not limited to current and former employees.

This is only a summary; the full details, which control, are in the applicable plan documents.

Please Note:

Qualified candidates must live or relocate to live within a daily commuting distance of the Providence Campus location upon hire.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until job posting is closed.

Johnson & Wales University is an equal opportunity employer.

The university does not illegally discriminate on the basis of any protected class.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnic and national origin, familial status, gender or gender identity, genetic information, military service, national origin, pregnancy and related conditions, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected class.

Advertised: 25 Sep 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Open until filled

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