Executive Director of Media Relations

JOB OVERVIEW

Job Description Summary:

The Office of Communications and Marketing is comprised of a high performing team responsible for advancing the university’s reputation and telling GW’s story through a diverse array of university channels, including digital and web properties and publications, multimedia and web properties, creative services, publications, media relations and paid marketing efforts across the university. This office drives the strategy and tactics for showcasing and raising the visibility of the university’s experts, initiatives, and accomplishments.

The Executive Director of Media Relations develops, implements and oversees execution of a comprehensive, proactive media relations strategy for the university and manages both proactive outreach and crisis response to national, local and student print, broadcast and online media. The Executive Director advises university leaders, faculty and all who speak on behalf of GW on media relations strategy and oversees all media relations for the university. The incumbent is responsible for setting the overall strategic direction for the media relations team and supervises a team of six. The Executive Director works in close collaboration with Communications and Marketing leadership to identify opportunities and develop and execute plans to secure positive media coverage of university experts, initiatives, announcements, and events, respond appropriately to media inquiries and advise on management of issues in a complex communications environment.

Responsibilities

• Serves as chief spokesperson for the university, handling all aspects of media relations for the university and senior leadership. This may include identifying and capitalizing on opportunities for positive media coverage, anticipating and responding to media inquiries, advising senior leadership on proactive and reactive media relations strategy and preparing leadership for and staffing media interviews.
• Prepares and oversees preparation of briefing materials for media interviews by senior leadership of the university and coordinates in person briefings.
• Works in close collaboration with Communications and Marketing leadership to develop and execute comprehensive, proactive media relations plans and strategies to secure positive media coverage of university experts, initiatives, announcements and events, respond appropriately to media inquiries and manage crisis media relations.
• Provides overall strategic direction and oversight for media relations staff in the development and implementation of media plans, analytics and reports, media monitoring, production and dissemination of daily media clips and the gathering and dissemination of information to external audiences via print, broadcast and online media. Reviews and edits all significant press releases, statements and media plans and manages the clearance process with stakeholders.
• Leads media training program for university faculty and key staff and student leaders.
• Oversees and manages authorized media relations budget and oversees regular evaluation and updating as needed of media relations tools and resources.
• Performs other public/media relations tasks as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 10 years of relevant professional experience, Master’s degree, or higher, in a relevant area of study preferred. Relevant experience must include at least 2 years of senior leadership/executive level experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in public/media relations, to include results-oriented experience with local and national media (broadcast, print and online); strong media contacts and news judgment; skill in strategic planning; and a portfolio of successful story development and placement is necessary.
• Experience as a journalist and/or as the primary spokesperson for a member of Congress, Cabinet Secretary, political campaign or equivalent experience are highly desirable.