University of Texas System is hiring: Director, Media Relations in Austin

FLSA Status

Exempt

Earliest Start Date

Immediately

Salary

Salary commensurate with experience

Hours per Week

40.00 Standard from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Hiring Department

External Relations

Required Application Materials

A resume and letter of interest is required to apply. Candidates under final consideration will also be required to submit professional references, college degree information, and employment history to an online third-party vendor.

About Us

For more than 140 years, The University of Texas System has improved the lives of Texans - and people all over the world - through education, health care, and research. The System consists of nine academic institutions, five health institutions, and The University of Texas System Administration. The institutions of the UT System employ more than 116,000 faculty, health care professionals, researchers, support staff, and student workers.

The UT System Administration is primarily based in Austin, Texas. It supports the missions of the System's fourteen institutions by providing financial, legal, planning, purchasing, government relations, communications, development, and other central services. Serving a growing state, the UT System Administration strives to provide a welcoming, supportive work environment that embraces different perspectives - not only because it enables the organization to be stronger, creative, and thoughtful, but because it is the right thing to do. To that end, UT System Administration embraces state laws on military and former foster children employment preferences.

Purpose of Position

The Director of Media Relations is responsible for developing and executing strategic media and public relations efforts aligned with the objectives and mission of the UT System by effectively and consistently managing proactive and responsive media-related communications.

Essential Functions

• Serve as a spokesperson and contact for media outlets, working to develop sound and accurate responses to timely, media inquiries.
• Proactively generate, develop and pitch relevant topics on a consistent basis to state, national and trade media.
• Consistently cultivate and strengthen working relationships with local, state and national media organizations.
• Prepare a variety of written content, including official statements, news releases, reports, briefings, op-eds, and media pitches and manage communications vetting and approval processes.
• Ensure strong communications and coordination with social media director on multi-channel delivery of information.
• Work with communications professionals across the UT institutions to engage in strategic consultation and counsel on media matters when warranted, while keeping them informed on issues of importance on a timely basis.
• Provide strategic counsel on reputation management and issues management.
• Identify potential reputational risks and public relations implications of current events, controversial issues, developments in higher education, and actions and/or policies for consideration.
• Gather data and report on media metrics.
• Create media briefings, including logistics, suggested talking points and references materials - as appropriate - to prepare principals prior to press interviews.
• Propose, write and place op-eds on key issues for UT System principals.
• Provide media relations coverage for board meetings of the UT System Board of Regents and the University of Texas/Texas A&M Investment Management Company (UTIMCO).
• Serve as a media relations liaison to the UT System departments.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, and a willingness to be available outside of regularly scheduled hours, as urgent matters warrant.
• Support UT System events with media opportunities.
• Consistently evaluate and update media lists based on proactive outreach and evolving press opportunities.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Exceptional writing and editing skills.
• Exceptional news judgement and understanding of national, regional and local media environments, with a keen sense of providing sound advice and effectively addressing public relations matters.
• Demonstrates integrity, honesty and discretion in collaborations with various colleagues and departments on media/PR matters.
• Extensive experience working with regional and national media.
• Proven track record of success in generating earned media coverage and content placements in state, national and trade publications.
• An understanding of news cycles and preparation of strategies and messages.
• Ability to produce engaging content for a variety of audiences and media.
• Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize and manage complex tasks, and work independently and on a team.
• Strong and effective leadership and management skills.
• Working knowledge of AP Style, Adobe Creative Suite, and CMS management.
• Superior news judgement and outstanding communications skills and presence at all levels and for state and national audiences.
• Depth of experience, sensitivity, and confidence befitting a strategic leadership position.
• Proven ability to manage large and complex issues through diverse and competing interests.
• Strong influencing, negotiating, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to mentor communications colleagues in media relations and public relations best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• 10+ years of senior professional experience in a public relations agency providing media counsel and services to higher education, or ten years in a senior-level corporate communications post, journalism or related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior senior professional/media relations higher education, health or nonprofit sector.
• An existing network of media contacts, preferably in higher education, both nationally and in Texas.
• Master's degree in related field.

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions.
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
• Uses standard office equipment.
• Requires occasional evening or weekend hours.

Additional Information

The standard retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. However, the incumbent of this position may elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

A background check will be conducted on applicants under final consideration. The background check may include any or all of the following: criminal history check, prior employment verification, education verification, professional references check, and motor vehicle records check. Background checks are conducted by third-party vendors. Upon request from the third-party vendor, candidates under final consideration must provide the required information for the background checks to be completed.

EO/AA Statement

The University of Texas System Administration is a federal contractor committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all qualified applicants and employees in all terms and conditions of employment. U. T. System will provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state laws.

For information on accommodations for individuals with disabilities, please contact the Office of Talent and Innovation at oti@utsystem.edu.