Director, Crisis Communications

William & Mary; United States; On-site; USD 85,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

William & Mary seeks a Director of Crisis Communications to lead university-wide crisis communications strategies and guidance for senior leaders during emergencies and sensitive events.

The role partners with Public Safety, Student Affairs, IT, and University Counsel to develop messaging, preparedness initiatives, and response plans, ensuring timely and accurate communications that protect the university's reputation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, public affairs, emergency management, or related field or equivalent experience.
• Significant, progressively responsible experience in communications, media relations, public affairs, crisis communications, emergency management communications, or related field (typically 7–10 years).
• Demonstrated experience managing communications during high-profile, sensitive, or emergency situations.
• Experience serving as a media spokesperson for a complex organization.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of university-wide crisis communications strategies.
• Provide strategic counsel to senior leaders during emergencies and sensitive events.
• Coordinate with Public Safety, President's Office, Student Affairs, University Counsel, IT, and others to craft messages.
• Manage time-sensitive, high-visibility communications that impact reputation and trust.

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications or related field

7 to 10 years of experience in communications or crisis management

Experience as a media spokesperson

Tools

Crisis communications plan development

Job description

Job Requisition

JR102129 Director, Crisis Communications (Open)

Job Posting Title

Director, Crisis Communications

Department

CC00253 WM001 | WMUA | University Communications

Job Family

Staff - Communications

Worker Sub-Type

Regular (benefited)

Job Requisition Primary Location

Discovery 2

Primary Job Posting Location

Posting Location - William & Mary

Job Description Summary

Mission Statement

In the Office of University Advancement, we create the conditions for opportunity - human, financial, & experiential - by garnering and stewarding the resources that advance William & Mary.

Position Summary

The Director of Crisis Communications leads the implementation and ongoing development of university-wide crisis communications strategies. Reporting to the Executive Director of Media Relations and housed in the Office of University Communications, the Director provides strategic counsel to senior leaders and partners across campus to ensure timely, accurate, and coordinated communications during emergencies and sensitive situations. The Director collaborates closely with Public Safety - including William & Mary Police, Emergency Management, the President's Office, Student Affairs, University Counsel, Information Technology, and other university leaders to develop and execute crisis communication plans, preparedness initiatives, and emergency messaging. The position operates with a high degree of independence and professional judgment, managing complex, time-sensitive, and highly visible communications that may significantly impact institutional reputation and stakeholder trust.

About the University

Founded by Royal Charter in 1693, William & Mary is America's first university. The Alma Mater of the Nation brings together the breadth of a public liberal arts and sciences education with the innovation of a preeminent global research university. Here, curiosity deepens into wisdom, shaping lives of meaning, distinction and purposeful impact. For more than 300 years, the university has convened great minds and hearts to meet the most pressing needs of our time.

About the Team

The Office of University Communications serves as the central communications office for the university. Within University Communications, the Media Relations team leads the university's crisis communication response, is responsible for media and other filming requests on campus, serves as the primary link to press and media on all communications fronts, provides media training and, in collaboration with the Content & Strategy and Web Development & Strategy, coordinates university-wide promotional efforts. The office also works to promote and celebrate the work of faculty, staff and students and to promote the overall vision, mission and brand of William & Mary.

Salary

$85,000 to $90,000, commensurate with experience and internal alignment.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, public affairs, emergency management, or a related field or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
• Significant, progressively responsible experience in communications, media relations, public affairs, crisis communications, emergency management communications, or a related field (typically 7 to 10 years).
• Demonstrated experience managing communications during high-profile, sensitive, or emergency situations.
• Experience serving as a media spokesperson for a complex organization.
• Exceptional writing, editing, an