Head of Public Relations & Media Strategy

Regis College; Weston (MA); Hybrid; USD 82,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Regis College seeks an experienced, strategic communications leader to serve as Director of Public Relations and Media Relations. Reporting to the vice president of marketing and communications, the director will lead earned media, crisis and executive communications, and external relations, elevating the university's visibility and impact.

On-campus presence is required with flexibility for some remote work; the role collaborates with senior leaders, faculty, and staff to craft compelling

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, public affairs, or a related field.
• At least five years of progressive experience in public relations, media relations, journalism, strategic communications, public affairs, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing proactive public relations and earned-media strategies.
• Experience responding to media inquiries and supporting communications involving complex or sensitive issues.
• Strong writing, editing, presentation, and message-development skills, including experience producing communications for senior leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex topics into clear, compelling, and audience-appropriate communications.
• Strong news judgment and an understanding of the evolving media environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive public relations and earned-media strategy aligned with the university’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Serve as Regis College's primary media contact and spokesperson, responding to inquiries accurately, thoughtfully, and in a timely manner.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, higher education, and trade media.
• Identify and develop compelling stories that highlight student and alumni success, faculty expertise, academic innovation, research, community partnerships, institutional milestones, and Regis' contributions to the public good.
• Write and edit press releases, media advisories, media statements, talking points, fact sheets, media kits, and other institutional communications.
• Maintain a network of faculty and administrative experts who can provide informed commentary on timely topics.
• Establish and maintain university standards, protocols, and best practices for responding to media inquiries.
• Prepare university representatives for media interviews and other public-facing opportunities.
• Coordinate communications planning and execution during institutional emergencies, sensitive situations, and reputational challenges under the direction of the vice president of marketing and communications and senior leadership.
• Monitor emerging issues, news coverage, public sentiment, social media conversations, and higher education trends to identify potential risks and opportunities.
• Provide timely and thoughtful communication recommendations to the vice president of marketing and communications and other university leaders.
• Develop and maintain crisis communications plans, response protocols, message templates, media procedures, and stakeholder contact lists.
• Draft statements, talking points, frequently asked questions, and other materials needed during urgent or rapidly evolving situations.
• Work with senior leadership, Campus Police, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Human Resources, legal counsel, and other university offices to coordinate accurate and timely communications.
• Participate in crisis simulations, media training, and emergency-preparedness exercises.
• Support the president and other senior leaders with communications counsel related to media engagement, public positioning, and institutional messaging.
• Write and edit speeches, talking points, presentations, messages, and other presidential and executive communications as needed.
• Ensure executive communications are accurate, authentic, audience-centered, and consistent with the university’s mission, values, priorities, and voice.
• Support the president and vice president of marketing and communications in coordinating communications with elected officials, government agencies, civic organizations, and community leaders.
• Monitor public-policy and legislative developments affecting Regis College and higher education and share relevant developments with university leadership.
• Coordinate communications related to government announcements, campus visits, advocacy priorities, and meetings with elected and appointed officials.
• Develop materials that communicate Regis' educational, economic, workforce, healthcare, and community impact to external stakeholders.
• Help maintain productive relationships with local officials, civic organizations, community partners, and other external constituencies.
• Work closely with colleagues across the university to ensure public relations efforts are integrated with the Regis brand, digital, social media, enrollment, advancement, and institutional communications strategies.
• Partner with marketing and communications colleagues to extend earned-media coverage across Regis' owned channels.
• Provide communications guidance and editorial support to colleagues across the university ensuring a consistent message is disseminated by campus partners.

Skills

Public relations

Media relations

Crisis communications

Strategic communications

Strong writing

Relationship building

Project management

Executive communications

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, public affairs, or related field

Job description

Regis College seeks an experienced, strategic communications leader to serve as Director of Public Relations and Media Relations. Reporting to the vice president of marketing and communications, the director will lead earned media, crisis and executive communications, and external relations, elevating the university's visibility and impact.

On-campus presence is required with flexibility for some remote work; the role collaborates with senior leaders, faculty, and staff to craft compelling