Senior Director, University News & Media Relations

Montana State University - Office of Student Engagement; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Montana State University seeks a Director of University News and Media Relations to lead the News Service, oversee central news and public information, and advance MSU’s reputation through compelling storytelling and journalist relations. You will provide editorial leadership and strategic media guidance across the university.

The role requires coordinating media relations, preparing communications during incidents, serving as a spokesperson, and guiding media training, policy updates, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least seven years of experience in journalism, media relations, public relations, or related field.
• Excellence in writing, editing and news judgment.
• Significant experience developing, assigning, editing and publishing news or public information content for multiple audiences.
• Experience leading projects, coordinating complex work and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience supervising professional staff, including assigning work and giving performance feedback.
• Experience using CMS, email newsletters, media databases, and analytics.

Responsibilities

• Lead the university News Service and supervise staff to produce timely news and public information content.
• Provide editorial direction, set coverage priorities, assign areas, and ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Advance the university’s reputation through journalistic storytelling highlighting teaching, research, and service.
• Cultivate relationships with journalists and coordinate media relations across the university.
• Coordinate public information during incidents or crises and prepare briefings and talking points.

Skills

Leadership

Editorial judgment

Writing/editing

Crisis communications

Media relations

Public information

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CMS

Email platforms

Media databases

Analytics tools

Job description

Montana State University seeks a Director of University News and Media Relations to lead the News Service, oversee central news and public information, and advance MSU’s reputation through compelling storytelling and journalist relations. You will provide editorial leadership and strategic media guidance across the university.

The role requires coordinating media relations, preparing communications during incidents, serving as a spokesperson, and guiding media training, policy updates, and