Senior Media Relations Officer

Position Details

Posting date: 04/30/2026

Closing date:
Open Until Filled

Position Number: 1129568

Position Title:

Senior Media Relations Officer

Hiring Range: $106,600 – $133,200

Union Type:
Not a Union Position

SEIU Level: Not an SEIU Position

FLSA Status:
Exempt

Employment Category:
Regular Full Time

Scheduled Months per Year: 12

Scheduled Hours per Week: 40

Schedule:

Occasional early morning, evening, or weekend work may be required to support media relations needs or special events. Participation in a 24/7 on‑call issues management rotation is required.

Location:

Hanover, NH with expectation of regular on‑campus presence. Some flexibility for hybrid work may be available. Occasional early morning, evening, or weekend work may be required to support media relations needs or special events. Participation in a 24/7 on‑call issues management rotation is required.

Remote Work Eligibility:
Onsite only

Term Position:
No

Grant Funded:
No

The Senior Media Relations Officer will play a critical role in advancing and protecting the reputation of Dartmouth and its students, faculty, and staff. This position manages day‑to‑day media relations intake and response, builds and maintains relationships with reporters and editors, and serves as a point of contact for media inquiries regarding institutional news and issues across all media outlets, including student media.

The role supports proactive media engagement — including writing and pitching institutional and faculty research stories for external outlets and Dartmouth‑owned channels — as well as responsive media operations and on‑the‑ground coordination during issues, crises, and other high‑profile events on campus. The Senior Media Relations Officer serves as a Dartmouth spokesperson and participates in a 24/7 on‑call issues management rotation.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field.
• 5 or more years of experience in media relations, communications, or a related field.
• Experience in issues management, crisis communications, or high‑stakes media environments.
• Experience drafting communications materials for senior leadership review.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft press materials, statements, talking points, and FAQs under tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to process information quickly to produce accurate and timely communications.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with journalists and serve as an organizational representative or spokesperson.
• Strong news judgment and the ability to anticipate and assess reputational risks and opportunities.
• Strong critical thinking and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex or sensitive situations and recommend strategic communications responses.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment, including during crisis or emergency situations.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment when handling confidential or sensitive information.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships across teams and a complex organization to achieve shared goals.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and maintain systems and processes that support team operations.

• Background in higher education, public relations, and/or journalism.
• Experience in issues management or crisis communications.
• Experience in a similarly complex institutional environment.
• Familiarity with media monitoring tools, press list management, and media analytics.

• Serves as a primary point of contact for media inquiries regarding institutional news and issues, building and maintaining strong working relationships with reporters, editors, and other media contacts, including student journalists.
• Responds to media inquiries in a timely, accurate, and strategic manner, coordinating with the Director of Media Relations and Office of Communications leadership as appropriate.
• Proactively identifies, writes, pitches, and…