Executive Director, External Communications

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA; Tucson, Northern (AZ, KY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits

Job summary

University of Arizona seeks an experienced Executive Director of External Communications to lead media relations, news content, science and research writing, and crisis communications. This senior leader will serve as a primary university spokesperson and mentor a team of communications professionals.

The role collaborates with campus leaders to elevate the university's national profile and address reputational opportunities and challenges, reporting to the Chief Communications and Marketing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 9 years of related work experience, including 5 years in managerial roles.
• Experience leading a team, project, or function is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead external communications and media relations to raise the university's national profile.
• Develop and implement comprehensive external communications plans.
• Oversee editorial production and distribution for web and email news channels.
• Provide strategic counsel to university leadership on communications matters.
• Manage crisis communications planning and responses with campus partners.
• Build relationships with journalists and content creators to broaden reach.

Skills

External communications

Media relations

Crisis communications

Team leadership

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Executive Director, External Communications

Executive Director, External Communications

Position Highlights: The Executive Director, External Communications is responsible for leading the University of Arizona’s media and public relations, news content, science and research writing, and crisis communications functions, and for serving as a lead university spokesperson. Reporting to the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, this position will lead a team of news content, media relations, and research communications professionals and have a direct role in elevating the university’s profile in Arizona and nationally. This position will work closely with campus leaders and have an active role in communicating key institutional issues and helping the university address reputational opportunities and challenges. The executive director also will serve on the Crisis Communications Team in a leadership role.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here .

Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic External Communications:

• Lead news content creation reflecting the university’s comprehensive research, education, public service, and student support programs.
• Develop and implement the university’s media and public relations plan.
• Manage the university’s efforts to grow earned media visibility locally, statewide, and nationally.
• Lead external communications efforts to advance the university’s strategic imperatives and build building goals.
• Oversee editorial production and content distribution for the university’s primary web and email news channels.
• Provide counsel and direct support to university leadership engaging externally on issues related to the university.
• Oversee media requests, media analysis and coverage reports, and proactive media outreach.
• Manage staff responsible for identifying, cataloging and evaluating rankings relevant to the university.
• Manage the team responsible for identifying trending news topics and pitching faculty experts.
• Serve as a university spokesperson and respond to requests for comment or information.
• Collaborate with University Marketing and Communications colleagues on multimedia and digital storytelling.

Leadership and Management

• Manage external communications staff comprised of news, content creation, science and research communicators, and media relations professionals.
• Serve as a member of the University Marketing and Communications Leadership team.

Relationship Management

• Establish, advance, and maintain relationships with journalists, news organizations, and independent content creators.
• Lead External Communications team’s efforts to engage faculty across the campus to increase the national visibility of their research and expertise.
• Operate as a conduit to communicators across campus on matters relating to news, research, media, reputation management, and storytelling.
• Work closely with and advise central administrative units and campus leaders.

Reputation Management

• Manage the University’s day-to-day reputation management efforts, including developing messaging, coordinating with campus stakeholders, and responding to queries.
• Work closely with the Office of Public Safety and Crisis Communications Team to provide proactive crisis communications planning and effective communications response to crises.
• Respond to and manage crises and reputational issues as they arise.
• In collaboration with the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer and the Chief Safety Officer, update and implement crisis communications plans.
• Collaborate with University Marketing and Communications colleagues to monitor and, when necessary, respond to external conversations about the university.
• Develop and implement processes around issues management.
• Provide strategic counsel to senior management and faculty on matters affecting the brand reputation of the university.
• Work closely with the Office of General Counsel, Office of Public Records, and other administrative departments that manage sensitive issues.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• The ideal candidate will have a strong external communications background and a proven track record in developing and executing strategic communications plans.
• Candidates will be seasoned in engaging with media, developing content, and managing reputational risks.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 9 years of related work experience, including 5 years of managerial experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Experience leading a team, project, program, or function is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree preferred.
• Experience working with senior executive leaders, managing multiple projects and tight deadlines, maintaining confidential and sensitive information, and performing in high-pressure environments.
• Prior experience at a large, high-profile organization preferred.

FLSA Exempt

Full Time/Part Time Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week 40

Job FTE 1.0

Work Calendar Fiscal

Job Category Communication and Marketing

Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay DOE

Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade 13

Compensation Guidance The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity. Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator .

Career Stream and Level M4

Job Family Communications

Job Function Communications & Marketing

Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies 1

Target Hire Date 8/31/2026

Expected End Date

Contact Information for Candidates Johnny Cruz,
[e-mail]

Open Date 8/14/2026

Open Until Filled Yes

Documents Needed to Apply Resume and Cover Letter

Special Instructions to Applicant

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at [e-mail].