Director, Media Relations & Crisis Strategy

Tufts Corporate; Burlington (MA); On-site; USD 148,000 - 189,000; Full time

Job summary

Tufts Medicine seeks a seasoned communications leader to oversee strategic media relations and serve as principal spokesperson for the health system. This role works with executive leadership, legal, risk, and academic partners to manage communications across hospitals, research, and education.

The ideal candidate has extensive healthcare communications experience, crisis management expertise, and a track record of building high-performing teams and proactive media programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field.
• Eight (8) years in media relations/public relations/corporate communications, with at least 5 years in healthcare or academic health system.
• Experience serving as organizational spokesperson and managing proactive/reactive media relations at senior level.
• Experience leading crisis communications and issues management, including playbooks and rapid-response messaging.
• Experience leading and managing high-performing communications teams with direct people management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a high-performing Media Relations team with clear performance expectations and development plans.
• Direct daily Media Relations operations including budget, staffing, and vendor management.
• Build and manage relationships with local, regional, and national journalists and influencers.
• Develop data-informed media relations strategies to elevate Tufts Medicine’s visibility.
• Serve as chief media relations strategist and primary spokesperson for crisis communications.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Crisis communications

Media relations

Spokesperson

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing/Communications/Journalism/Public Relations

Master's degree (preferred) in Marketing/Communications/Business Administration

Tools

WRITER

Microsoft Copilot

Job description

Tufts Medicine seeks a seasoned communications leader to oversee strategic media relations and serve as principal spokesperson for the health system. This role works with executive leadership, legal, risk, and academic partners to manage communications across hospitals, research, and education.

The ideal candidate has extensive healthcare communications experience, crisis management expertise, and a track record of building high-performing teams and proactive media programs.