Strategic Communications & Media Leader

Texas Southern University; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 130,000 - 169,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Southern University is seeking an Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications and Media to lead senior-level communications, media relations, and editorial strategy. You will translate institutional priorities into compelling messaging, guide executive communications, and oversee crisis and issues responses, ensuring alignment with university goals.

You will collaborate with university leadership, manage cross-functional teams, develop annual plans, and supervise staff to uphold

Qualifications

• Exceptional writing, editing and storytelling skills.
• Strong knowledge of strategic communications, media relations and public relations.
• Executive communications and speechwriting capabilities.
• Sound judgment in crisis and issues communications.
• Ability to translate complex academic/institutional information into clear messaging.
• Strong editorial judgment and attention to detail.
• Project management, organizational, problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to counsel senior leaders with discretion and confidence.
• Ability to collaborate across a complex organization.
• Understanding of higher education communications and HBCU environment.
• Proficiency with MS Office and contemporary communications technologies.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled communications tools.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic counsel on institutional messaging and reputation as senior deputy to the VP.
• Develop and execute communications strategies supporting university priorities and milestones.
• Advise senior leaders on messaging and media considerations.
• Edit executive communications including speeches and remarks.
• Lead communications planning for major initiatives and events with timelines.
• Maintain annual communications plans and editorial calendars.
• Establish workflows for cross-unit coordination and approvals.
• Lead media relations and serve as spokesperson as designated.
• Identify opportunities to elevate university achievements.
• Oversee crisis and issues communications planning and response.
• Monitor media and performance data to inform leadership decisions.
• Coordinate with partners to ensure timely, coherent messaging.

Skills

Executive communications

Speechwriting

Media relations

Editorial judgment

Storytelling

Writing

Editing

Crisis communications

Project management

Relationship-building

Cross-functional collaboration

Higher education knowledge

Tech-savvy communications

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications/journalism/public relations/marketing/English/public affairs

Master's degree in communications/journalism/public relations/marketing/higher education/public administration

Tools

Microsoft Office

AI-enabled communications tools

Media monitoring technologies

Job description

Texas Southern University is seeking an Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications and Media to lead senior-level communications, media relations, and editorial strategy. You will translate institutional priorities into compelling messaging, guide executive communications, and oversee crisis and issues responses, ensuring alignment with university goals.

You will collaborate with university leadership, manage cross-functional teams, develop annual plans, and supervise staff to uphold