Director for Media Relations and Strategic Communications

Job Description

For over 160 years, the University of Washington has been a hub for learning, innovation, problem solving and community building. Supporting this legacy and important public mission—with the goal of making the UW the world’s greatest public university, as measured by positive impact—guides everything we do in University Advancement (https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).). Bringing together development; alumni and stakeholder engagement; marketing and communications; and advancement operations, we advance the UW’s impact by developing meaningful connections that foster pride, advocacy and philanthropic support.

The mission of University Marketing & Communications (https://) (UMAC) is to lead branding, marketing and communications efforts that advance the reputation, resources and relationships of the University. This starts with creating a culture of belonging within our organization that values the diverse experiences and expertise of our team members, allowing everyone to thrive and to contribute their unique talents as we strive to achieve our shared goals.

The Director for Media Relations and Strategic Communications serves as the primary support for strategic communications and media relations needs. This position provides high-level support to the University’s Crisis Communications Team and serves in a backup spokesperson role. This role plays a critical part in shaping how the University is represented publicly, requiring strong judgment, analytical thinking and the ability to operate effectively in high visibility and time sensitive situations.

The Director serves as a leader within the UW’s strategic communications operation, advising university administrators and communications partners, contributing to reputation management, shaping media relations strategy, coordinating digital storytelling and delivering media training and support. This position directly supervises the Assistant Director and Associate Director of Strategic Communications and works closely with the Assistant VP for Communications/Spokesperson to ensure coordinated, strategic execution of UW’s priorities, stories and projects.

• Support the Assistant Vice President for Communications/Spokesperson in managing day‑to‑day media relations activities, including responding to media inquiries, coordinating interviews and developing key messages for external audiences.
• Serve as a university spokesperson on specific topics, issues or situations, as assigned.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with local, regional and national media representatives.
• Provide expert guidance on media strategy, pitch development and message framing in support of institutional priorities and reputation management.
• Use media monitoring tools and coverage analysis to assess trends, identify emerging issues and inform proactive and reactive media relations strategies.
• Serve as a member and backup lead of the Crisis Communications Team, assisting in decisions among key UW academic and operational leadership regarding UW Alert and UW Advisory notifications.
• Edit and write news releases, arrange interviews, develop and provide media training and facilitate contact between students, faculty and reporters in the national, local and student media.

• Develop and oversee strategic communications plans for complex, high‑profile, or long‑term institutional initiatives.
• Lead or coordinate communications strategies related to major University priorities, emerging issues, or sensitive topics at the administration level.
• Incorporate qualitative and quantitative data into the development and refinement of strategic communications plans.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of strategic communications initiatives using data and insights and adjust approaches as needed to improve reach, clarity and impact.
• Ensure alignment between strategic communications…