Executive Director, Strategic Public Relations

Howard University; Maryland; On-site; USD 145,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellness

Work-Life Balance

Financial Wellness

Professional Development

Additional Perks

Job summary

Howard University seeks a Senior Director of Public Relations to lead enterprise media relations, executive communications, and external outreach. You will advise senior leadership, develop strategic messaging, and guide crisis responsiveness while elevating the university's reputation and visibility.

Lead cross-functional teams, manage budgets and vendors, and partner with schools, researchers, and administrators to share news of academic excellence, research impact, and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, English, or related field.
• Master's degree and leadership experience preferred.
• Minimum 10 years in media relations or related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop enterprise-wide communications strategies aligned with institutional priorities.
• Lead proactive media relations and crisis communications initiatives.
• Advise senior leadership on messaging and reputation management.
• Oversee budgets, staffing, and agency partnerships for media relations.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Media relations

Crisis communications

Executive communications

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism/Communications

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Cision

Meltwater

Job description

Howard University seeks a Senior Director of Public Relations to lead enterprise media relations, executive communications, and external outreach. You will advise senior leadership, develop strategic messaging, and guide crisis responsiveness while elevating the university's reputation and visibility.

Lead cross-functional teams, manage budgets and vendors, and partner with schools, researchers, and administrators to share news of academic excellence, research impact, and community engagement.