Director of University News and Media Relations

Director of University News and Media Relations

The Director of University News and Media Relations leads the MSU News Service and oversees Montana State University's central news, media relations and public information functions. The position advances MSU's reputation through accurate, timely and compelling storytelling; productive relationships with journalists; thoughtful public information planning; and coordinated communication during campus incidents and emergencies. The director also provides editorial leadership, media strategy, issue monitoring, media training and communications advice across the university.

Reporting directly to the Vice President for Communications and serving on the University Communications leadership team, the Director of University News and Media Relations leads the university's central news operation and helps ensure that MSU's impact, public value and service to Montana and beyond are communicated clearly and effectively. The director leads the MSU News Service, a team of six professional communicators responsible for identifying, writing, editing and distributing news about the university's students, faculty, staff, research, creative activities, outreach and service to communities.

The director also cultivates relationships with journalists, coordinates media relations, supports public information planning and helps prepare MSU for effective communications during campus emergencies.

In close coordination with the Vice President for Communications, the director serves as the main contact for journalists seeking information and expertise from the university and as an MSU spokesperson on delegated matters. MSU operates under a shared services model for communications, with University Communications staff, services and budget centralized for efficiency. The director works with other University Communications leaders to strengthen the value, responsiveness and effectiveness of that model.

The Director of University News and Media Relations:

• Leads the Montana State University News Service and supervises six staff members.
• Manages the selection, assignment, writing, editing and distribution of MSU news content and public information content, including press releases, feature stories, university magazine content, announcements, statements and internal communications.
• Provides editorial direction for the MSU News Service, including setting coverage priorities, assigning coverage areas, maintaining editorial standards, and ensuring accuracy, clarity, timeliness and consistency.
• Advances the university's reputation through journalistic storytelling that highlights excellence in teaching, research, outreach, creative activity and service.
• Works with faculty, staff, administrators, colleges, departments and units to identify newsworthy accomplishments, emerging issues and public communication opportunities.
• Builds and maintains productive relationships with local, state, regional and national media outlets.
• Responds to media inquiries and coordinates university media relations in close consultation with the Vice President for Communications.
• Serves as a university spokesperson on assigned or delegated matters, in coordination with and under the direction of the Vice President for Communications.
• Provides the Vice President for Communications and other campus leaders with background information, talking points, media strategy and briefings on situations involving media interest, emerging issues and news coverage that may affect the university.
• Coordinates public information efforts and media relations during campus incidents or crises, under the direction of the Vice President for Communications and in coordination with appropriate university officials.
• Works to ensure University Communications and appropriate campus partners are prepared to support public information needs during emergencies.
• Coordinates campus media training, including group training and one-on-one media preparation for university personnel.
• Oversees the staff member primarily responsible for presidential communications and provides editorial guidance on presidential messages, remarks and related communications.
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