Director, University Media Relations at InsideHigherEd

Main Work Location: Stanford historic campus
Schedule: Hybrid (must be able to work at least 2-3 days per week on-site)

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and résumé with your online application.

Stanford University seeks a Director, University Media Relations to manage media issues, crises, and opportunities that shape the institution's reputation. This position reports to the Executive Director, Strategic Communications and Media Relations within the Strategic Communications team of University Communications. The Director of University Media Relations will serve as a university spokesperson, working closely with university leaders and unit and school communicators across campus on media response and engagement strategies.

University Communications, part of the Office of External Relations, provides support and campus leadership in planning, coordinating, and implementing strategic communications programs that support Stanford University and its mission. University Communications is responsible for brand positioning and strategy; issues and reputation management; crisis communications; oversight of digital content and top-level web and social media platforms; media relations and news services; executive communications with all constituencies; major publications; and a campus video production studio and video production group. University Communications coordinates with communications professionals across the university and advises on communications policy with senior executive staff.

Position Summary:
The Director, University Media Relations will manage a high volume of inbound media inquiries and contribute to proactive story pitching for one of the world’s most recognizable research universities. Success in this role depends on sophisticated media response strategies and excellent, trust-based relationships with reporters and editors. The Director will be an on-the-record spokesperson for institutional and administrative issues and will provide background briefings as needed. Enthusiasm for and understanding of Stanford's education and research mission, history, and ethos are essential. A core responsibility is building and maintaining productive relationships across the media landscape, including with local and regional outlets and student media.

This role requires superior news judgment and the ability to quickly grasp, synthesize, and clearly explain complex issues affecting higher education and Stanford—translating policy, research, and institutional context into accurate, accessible messages. The Director will work collaboratively within a tight-knit Strategic Communications and Media Relations team and in close coordination with colleagues across University Communications and communicators throughout the schools and units.

In this role, you will:

• Build, cultivate, and sustain trusted relationships with journalists and editors, including from local media outlets and student media.
  
• Proactively engage reporters to provide context and cultivate understanding of university issues.
  
• Serve as an on-the-record university spokesperson on institutional and administrative matters and provide background briefings as appropriate.
  
• Develop and execute rapid-response strategies for media inquiries; draft statements, Q&As, talking points, and key messages in coordination with campus units and subject-matter experts.
  
• Prepare and brief leaders and experts for interviews and media engagements, including developing background materials, key messages, and conducting media training and coaching.
  
• Coordinate and staff interviews, press briefings, and background sessions; ensure accurate follow-up and timely information flow.
  
• Foster strong internal relationships with communicators across schools and units to ensure consistent, aligned messaging and effective media coordination.
  
• Perform other duties as assigned.

To be successful in this role you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree and eight years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.
  
• Demonstrated success as an on-the-record spokesperson and in conducting effective background briefings; command of media attribution conventions and reporter engagement best practices.
  
• Proven ability to build, maintain, and leverage relationships with journalists across beats and platforms, including student and local media.
  
• Strong strategic communications background, including issues management, and media strategy within complex, decentralized organizations.
  
• Exceptional news judgment and the ability to rapidly assess and prioritize fast-evolving issues.
  
• Advanced skill in quickly grasping and synthesizing complex topics in higher education (e.g., governance, research, student life, finance, regulation) and translating them into clear, accurate, and compelling messages.
  
• Excellent writing and editing skills; strong research and analytical abilities; meticulous attention to accuracy and detail.
  
• Comfortable advising senior leaders and providing candid, actionable feedback on media strategy and messaging.
  
• Collaborative mindset and experience working effectively with communications teams across a campus or similarly complex environment.
  
• Ability to perform in deadline-driven, high-pressure situations with sound professional judgment.
  
• Experience with media databases and monitoring tools (e.g., Muck Rack, Salesforce, or similar).
  
• Higher education experience is preferred.
  
• Journalism background or agency experience is desirable.

The expected pay range for this position is $153,494 – $177,044 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:

• Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
  
• Frequently stand/walk, sit, use a telephone, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, speaking.
  
• Occasionally grasp forcefully, writing by hand.
  
• Rarely sort/file paperwork.

* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Occasional work on evenings and weekends.

WORK STANDARDS:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
  
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
  
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

• Schedule: Full-time
• Job Code: 4225
• Employee Status: Regular
• Grade: K
• Requisition ID: 107714
• Work Arrangement : Hybrid Eligible