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Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Executive Director, Media Relations & Communications

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX


Position Description

Provides leadership and direction in all aspects of administering multiple university branch campuses or major satellite locations. Meets ORP eligibility requirements. Plans, develops and implements strategies for generating resources and revenues. Has budget administrative oversight of overall operations of units. Reports to Vice President or above. Directs and supervises multiple Managing Directors.

Major/Essential Functions

  • Leads and implements media relations, digital and communications strategy for the Chancellor, Board of Regents and the TTU System
  • Leads and supervises dedicated media relations, digital and communications staff in the Chancellor's Office at the TTU System
  • Drafts, reviews and disseminates news releases, advisories, media statements and stories for publication and placement with local, state, industry and national media
  • Works with the Chancellor's Office, Board of Regents and TTU System leadership to develop consistent messaging and media announcement strategies
  • Serves as a liaison between the TTU System administration and members of the news media and public to manage awareness and brand perception of the TTU System
  • Fields media requests and prepares media statements for the Chancellor, Board of Regents and TTU System executive leadership
  • Monitors news and social media and provides the Chancellor, Board of Regents and TTU System leadership with timely and critical information related to the TTU System, component institutions and in higher education
  • Coordinates with the Office of General Counsel on open records requests from media that are pertinent to the TTU System and its component institutions
  • Provides media and communications support and strategy related to Board of Regents meetings
  • Coordinates and partners with communications leaders at the component institutions on communications and media relations efforts involving Chancellor and the TTU System
  • Oversees the management and strategy of the TTU System's online web presence
  • Utilizes, monitors and analyzes digital and social media platforms on behalf of the TTU System and Chancellor
  • Serves as a media spokesperson as necessary on behalf of the TTU System
  • Coordinates with outside media consultants and crisis management firms as needed


Preferred Qualifications

  • At least ten years of cumulative professional experience in a related field(s)
  • Relevant experience in higher education, project management and stakeholder relations
  • Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills
  • Ability to operate and lead as part of a team and values-based work culture
  • Strong judgement, conceptual, and diplomacy skills
  • Capacity to deliver high-quality work under tight deadlines and in a fast-paced environment
  • Works under general supervision with broad latitude for initiative and independent judgment


Required Qualifications

Master's Degree required, terminal degree preferred. Eight years progressively responsible management experience required. Education beyond the master's level may substitute for required experience on a year-for-year basis.

About the Department and/or College

The Office of the Chancellor is headquarters for the chief executive officer, and his staff, for all component institutions and academic sites for the TTU System. https://www.texastech.edu/

Pay Statement

Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan. For additional information, please reference the institutional pay plan by visiting www.depts.ttu.edu/hr/payplan.

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.

About the University

Established in 1996, the Texas Tech University System is one of the top public university systems in the nation, consisting of five universities - Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Angelo State University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso and Midwestern State University.

Headquartered in Lubbock, Texas, the TTU System is a more than $3 billion enterprise focused on advancing higher education, health care, research and outreach with approximately 21,000 employees and 63,000 students, more than 400,000 alumni, a statewide economic impact of $16.4 billion and an endowment valued at $1.7 billion. In its short history, the TTU System has grown tremendously and is nationally acclaimed, operating at 24 academic locations in 20 cities (18 in Texas, 2 international).

In addition, the TTU System is one of only nine in the nation to offer programs for undergraduate, medical, law, nursing, pharmacy, dental and veterinary education, among other academic areas.