Director, Crisis Communications

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Williamsburg (VA); Hybrid; 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 advise senior leaders on reputational risk. The role collaborates with Public Safety, Emergency Management, and senior administration to plan, message, and execute timely crisis responses.

The position requires strong writing, media spokesperson experience, and a proven ability to manage high-pressure, sensitive situations with sound judgment.

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.
• 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, media relations, public affairs, crisis communications, emergency management communications, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing communications during high-profile, sensitive, or emergency situations.
• Experience serving as a media spokesperson for a complex organization.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Experience providing communications counsel to senior leaders.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality in complex, rapidly changing situations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities under deadline pressure.
• Experience collaborating across diverse stakeholder groups and organizational functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead crisis and emergency communication planning and response for incidents with reputational impact.
• Coordinate and disseminate emergency communications through statements, web updates, social media, email, and alerts.
• Draft holding statements and talking points for university leadership during crises.
• Serve as the public information officer for University Public Safety.
• Maintain crisis communications plans and protocols with Public Safety and Emergency Management.

Skills

Crisis strategy

Media relations

Public affairs

Spokesperson

Executive counsel

Writing & editing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field

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.

The Director will lead and foster a culture of belonging and trust that embraces all people and perspectives and ensures alignment with William & Mary’s institutional values and strategic priorities. This is a hybrid position based in Williamsburg, Virginia, which offers a flexible work environment.

Please review the full position description with all job duties under the “Featured Job Opportunities” on the University Advancement recruitment website: https://advancement.wm.edu/come-work-with-us/open-positions/

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, and verbal communication skills.
• Experience providing communications counsel to senior leaders.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality in complex and rapidly changing situations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities under deadline pressure.
• Experience collaborating across diverse stakeholder groups and organizational functions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in higher education, government, public safety, healthcare, or other complex organization(s).
• Experience with incident command systems, emergency operations, or crisis management teams.

Conditions of Employment:

• This position may require overtime to include scheduled and unscheduled, nights and weekends and holidays.

Is the position remote work eligible?

Hybrid (works remotely at least 1 day per week but not full-time).

Position Classification:

This position is classified as professional, meaning it is salaried and exempt from overtime. For benefits and leave purposes, this role falls under the "12‑month Professionals & Faculty" classification on the HR website.

Job Duties:

45% - Crisis and Emergency Communications:

• Lead communication planning and response efforts for emergencies, critical incidents, and issues with potential reputational impact, including public safety incidents, severe weather events, cybersecurity incidents, student or employee fatalities, public health concerns, campus protests, and other emerging situations
• Lead the coordination and dissemination of emergency communications through appropriate channels, including media statements, web updates, social media, email, and campus alerts.
• Draft emergency-related holding statements and talking points for university leadership.
• Serve as the public information officer for the Office of Public Safety.
• Maintain the university’s crisis communications plan and protocols working closely with Public Safety, including William & Mary Police and the Office of Emergency Management.

20% - Issues Management:

• Monitor emerging issues, media coverage, public sentiment, and stakeholder concerns that may affect the university's reputation.
• Advise the Executive Director and the Director of Media Relations on reputational risk in proactive pitches and strategic messaging. Prepare sensitive messaging, Q&A documents, background materials, and communication plans for university leadership.
• Work with senior administrators on communications approaches related to controversial or high-profile matters.

15% - Media Relations:

• Develop and manage media response strategies during emergencies and sensitive institutional matters.
• Collaborate with the Director of Media Relations to ensure alignment between crisis communications and ongoing media relations activities.

10% - Strategic Communications & Executive Leadership Support:

• Support major institutional announcements and participate in media relations work as needed when crises are absent.
• Provide communications counsel to executive leadership during emergencies and significant institutional issues.
• Develop briefing materials, talking points, statements, and stakeholder communications for senior administrators in coordination with the director of executive communications.
• Support communications related to meetings of the Board of Visitors and other governance bodies when issues of crisis are involved.
• Support university-wide strategic communications initiatives as assigned.

10% - Other:

• Serve as university spokesperson as required.
• Serve as an on-call representative for emergencies and other after-hours needs on a rotating basis.
• Manage University Communications’ weekend on-call staffing scheduling & training.

Additional Job Description:

Job Profile:

JP0670 - Senior Communications/Marketing Specialist - Exempt - Salary - S13

Compensation Grade:

S13

Recruiting Start Date:

2026-10-02

Position Restrictions:

Continuing E&G funded position and not term-limited

EEO is the Law. Applicants can learn more about William & Mary's status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the "Know Your Rights" poster published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal

Background Check:

William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

Applicant Notice:

By applying for this position, you consent to William & Mary's use, review, and retention of your application materials for recruitment and employment purposes. Materials may be shared with authorized individuals participating in the hiring process and will be managed in accordance with applicable laws and university policies.

Probationary Period Notice:

Individuals selected for full-time staff positions will be required to complete a twelve (12) month probationary period in accordance with university policy.

Remote Work Disclaimer:

Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval. Employee eligibility depends on the likelihood of the employee succeeding in a remote work arrangement and the supervisor’s ability to manage remote workers. Departments and/or Human Resources may amend, alter, change, delete, or modify eligibility.