Director of Issues Management (HR Title: Issues Management & Crisis Communications Director

Director of Issues Management

Salary Range:
Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications About SMU SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs. SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools:
Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies. SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:
As SMU continues its academic ascent, Marketing and Communications plays a central role in elevating the University's profile and advancing its institutional priorities. Working collaboratively across campus, the team leads communications, marketing, media relations, digital and reputation-building efforts that showcase academic excellence, research, the student experience and SMU's impact. Through integrated planning, creative marketing and communications, proactive engagement and issues management, the team builds and protects SMU's reputation and strengthens connections with audiences locally, nationally and globally.

About the Position:
This role is an on-campus, in-person position. As SMU advances its strategic plan and national profile, Marketing and Communications is evolving to support the academic mission through a more strategic and integrated approach. The Director of Issues Management leads issues preparedness, reputational risk monitoring, crisis communications planning, and coordinated response, serving as the central communications lead for emerging and sensitive situations affecting the University.

In partnership with senior leadership and units such as Legal Affairs, SMU Police, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Risk Management, and Athletics, the Director develops protocols, response frameworks, and guidance to ensure effective crisis and issues response. This role strengthens institutional readiness, supports reputation and visibility, and requires strong judgment, coordination, and on-call responsiveness for crisis communications.

Essential Functions:

• Lead the University's issues management and crisis communications program, helping identify, assess and respond to emerging risks while protecting and enhancing the University's reputation.
• Develop and maintain crisis communications protocols, escalation procedures, response frameworks and message templates.
• Protect and strengthen the University's reputation through proactive issues management.
• Monitor emerging reputational, operational, political and social issues that may impact the University.
• Coordinate communications response efforts during crises, sensitive issues and rapidly evolving situations.
• Serve as a strategic communications advisor to senior leadership during high-profile or sensitive matters.
• Draft and oversee leadership messaging, holding statements, FAQs, talking points and internal guidance documents during active issues.
• Coordinate closely with Legal Affairs, SMU Police, Student Affairs, Risk Management, Academic Affairs, Human Resources and other campus partners.
• Ensure communications responses align with University policies, institutional priorities and leadership…