Director, University Media Relations

Director, University Media Relations

Office of University Communications, Stanford University, Stanford, California

The Director of University Media Relations manages a high volume of inbound media inquiries, contributes to proactive story pitching, serves as an on-the-record spokesperson, and provides background briefings. Success depends on sophisticated media response strategies and trust-based relationships with reporters and editors.

• Build, cultivate, and sustain trusted relationships with journalists and editors, including local media outlets and student media.
• Proactively engage reporters to provide context and cultivate understanding of university issues.
• Serve as an on-the-record university spokesperson on institutional and administrative matters and provide background briefings as appropriate.
• Develop and execute rapid-response strategies for media inquiries; draft statements, Q&As, talking points, and key messages in coordination with campus units and subject-matter experts.
• Prepare and brief leaders and experts for interviews and media engagements, including developing background materials, key messages, and conducting media training and coaching.
• Coordinate and staff interviews, press briefings, and background sessions; ensure accurate follow-up and timely information flow.
• Foster strong internal relationships with communicators across schools and units to ensure consistent, aligned messaging and effective media coordination.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree and eight years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated success as an on-the-record spokesperson and in conducting effective background briefings; command of media attribution conventions and reporter engagement best practices.
• Proven ability to build, maintain, and leverage relationships with journalists across beats and platforms, including student and local media.
• Strong strategic communications background, including issues management, and media strategy within complex, decentralized organizations.
• Exceptional news judgment and the ability to rapidly assess and prioritize fast-evolving issues.
• Advanced skill in quickly grasping and synthesizing complex topics in higher education (e.g., governance, research, student life, finance, regulation) and translating them into clear, accurate, and compelling messages.
• Excellent writing and editing skills; strong research and analytical abilities; meticulous attention to accuracy and detail.
• Comfortable advising senior leaders and providing candid, actionable feedback on media strategy and messaging.
• Collaborative mindset and experience working effectively with communications teams across a campus or similarly complex environment.
• Ability to perform in deadline-driven, high-pressure situations with sound professional judgment.
• Experience with media databases and monitoring tools (e.g., Muck Rack, Salesforce, or similar).
• Higher education experience is preferred.
• Journalism background or agency experience is desirable.

Expected pay range: $153,494 – $177,044 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. Benefits are detailed on the Cardinal at Work website.

• Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Frequently stand/walk, sit, use a telephone, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, speaking.
• Occasionally grasp forcefully, writing by hand.
• Rarely sort/file paperwork.

• Occasional work on evenings and weekends.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

• Schedule:
  
  Full-time
• Job Code: 4225
• Employee Status:
  Regular
• Grade: K
• Requisition
• Work Arrangement:
  Hybrid Eligible