Director of University News and Media Relations

Director of University News and Media Relations Please see Special Instructions for more details.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Position Information

Announcement Number

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27058

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Working Title Director of University News and Media Relations

Brief Position Overview

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.

Position Number

Position Number 4C2560

Department

Department University Communications

Division

Division University Communications

Appointment Type

Appointment Type Professional

Contract Term

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA

FLSA Exempt

Union Affiliation

Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible

Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type

Contract Type MUS

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type

Recruitment Type Open

General Statement

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.

Duties and Responsibilities

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.
• Prov…