Executive Director, External Communications

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health dental and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation sick leave and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Strategic External Communications:

• Lead news content creation reflecting the universitys comprehensive research education public service and student support programs.
• Develop and implement the universitys media and public relations plan.
• Manage the universitys efforts to grow earned media visibility locally statewide and nationally.
• Lead external communications efforts to advance the universitys strategic imperatives and build building goals.
• Oversee editorial production and content distribution for the universitys primary web and email news channels.
• Provide counsel and direct support to university leadership engaging externally on issues related to the university.
• Oversee media requests media analysis and coverage reports and proactive media outreach.
• Manage staff responsible for identifying cataloging and evaluating rankings relevant to the university.
• Manage the team responsible for identifying trending news topics and pitching faculty experts.
• Serve as a university spokesperson and respond to requests for comment or information.
• Collaborate with University Marketing and Communications colleagues on multimedia and digital storytelling.

Leadership and Management

• Manage external communications staff comprised of news content creation science and research communicators and media relations professionals.
• Serve as a member of the University Marketing and Communications Leadership team.

Relationship Management

• Establish advance and maintain relationships with journalists news organizations and independent content creators.
• Lead External Communications teams efforts to engage faculty across the campus to increase the national visibility of their research and expertise.
• Operate as a conduit to communicators across campus on matters relating to news research media reputation management and storytelling.
• Work closely with and advise central administrative units and campus leaders.

Reputation Management

• Manage the Universitys day-to-day reputation management efforts including developing messaging coordinating with campus stakeholders and responding to queries.
• Work closely with the Office of Public Safety and Crisis Communications Team to provide proactive crisis communications planning and effective communications response to crises.
• Respond to and manage crises and reputational issues as they arise.
• In collaboration with the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer and the Chief Safety Officer update and implement crisis communications plans.
• Collaborate with University Marketing and Communications colleagues to monitor and when necessary respond to external conversations about the university.
• Develop and implement processes around issues management.
• Provide strategic counsel to senior management and faculty on matters affecting the brand reputation of the university.
• Work closely with the Office of General Counsel Office of Public Records and other administrative departments that manage sensitive issues.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• The ideal candidate will have a strong external communications background and a proven track record in developing and executing strategic communications plans.
• Candidates will be seasoned in engaging with media developing content and managing reputational risks.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• Bachelors degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 9 years of related work experience including 5 years of managerial experience or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Experience leading a team project program or function is required.

• Masters degree preferred.
• Experience working with senior executive leaders managing multiple projects and tight deadlines maintaining confidential and sensitive information and performing in high-pressure environments.
• Prior experience at a large high-profile organization preferred.