{"id":1979063,"url":"https://alion.io/job/william-mary-director-media-relations","title":"Director, Media Relations","company":{"id":20196,"name":"William & Mary","domain":"wm.edu","url":"https://alion.io/company/w-and-m-news","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":90,"open_postings":15,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.2,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":73,"computed_at":"2026-10-21T05:46:15Z"}},"role":"Communications","role_family":"Communications","seniority":"head","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":75000,"max":80000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":80000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":7,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Microsoft Office","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-06T22:29:55Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-06","last_verified_at":"2026-10-21T18:41:20Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":14,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":14},"description":"Job Requisition:\nJR102130 Director, Media Relations (Open)Job Posting Title:\nDirector, Media RelationsDepartment:\nCC00253 WM001 | WMUA | University CommunicationsJob Family:\nStaff - CommunicationsWorker Sub-Type:\nRegular (benefited)Job Requisition Primary Location:\nDiscovery 2Primary Job Posting Location:\nPosting Location - William & MaryJob Description Summary:\nMission StatementIn the Office of University Advancement, we create the conditions for opportunity - human, financial, & experiential - by garnering and stewarding the resources that advance William & Mary.\nPosition Summary\nThe Director of Media Relations leads regional and local media engagement efforts for William & Mary, working directly with university leadership, the President’s Executive Leadership Team, Cabinet. and the Office of Public Safety. Housed in the office of university communications, the Director promotes William & Mary’s national preeminence by pitching stories and faculty subject matter experts to news outlets, serving as the primary link to the press and media on all communications fronts and coordinates university-wide promotional efforts, while advancing the university’s reputation through integrated earned, digital, and emerging media strategies. This position reports to the Executive Director of Media Relations in the Office of University Communications and carries accountability for outcomes.\nThe Director will lead and foster a culture of belonging and trust that embraces all people and perspectives and ensures alignment with William & Mary’s institutional values and strategic priorities. This is a hybrid position based in Williamsburg, Virginia, which offers a flexible work environment.\nPlease review the full position description with all job duties under the “Featured Job Opportunities” on the University Advancement recruitment website: https://advancement.wm.edu/come-work-with-us/open-positions/\nAbout the University\nFounded by Royal Charter in 1693, William & Mary is America’s first university. The Alma Mater of the Nation brings together the breadth of a public liberal arts and sciences education with the innovation of a preeminent global research university. Here, curiosity deepens into wisdom, shaping lives of meaning, distinction and purposeful impact. For more than 300 years, the university has convened great minds and hearts to meet the most pressing needs of our time.\nAbout the Team\nThe Office of University Communications serves as the central communications office for the university. Within University Communications, the Media Relations team leads the university’s crisis communication response, is responsible for media and other filming requests on campus, serves as the primary link to press and media on all communications fronts, provides media training and, in collaboration with the Content & Strategy and Web Development & Strategy, coordinates university-wide promotional efforts. The office also works to promote and celebrate the work of faculty, staff and students and to promote the overall vision, mission and brand of William & Mary.\nJob Description:\nSpecial Instructions\nFor full consideration, submit application materials by the review date, Monday November 2, 2026. Applications received after the review date will be considered if needed.\nRequired application materials.\nA resume and cover letter are required for this position - please upload both documents with your application.\nProvide up to three pitches you were involved with in the last three years that had the best outcomes. Include a summary of those outcomes and tell us for each why you think the pitches were so successful.\nProvide us with up to three examples of a pitch you were involved with that you thought had great potential, but where that potential wasn't realized and why you think that was the case.\nWilliam & Mary is currently recruiting for two communications roles: the Director of Crisis Communications and the Director of Media Relations. While each role has distinct responsibilities, candidates may find their skills and experiences are aligned with both opportunities. We encourage applicants to review both positions and, if interested, apply for both roles.\nSalary\n$75,000 to $80,000, commensurate with experience and internal alignment.\nRequired Qualifications:\nBachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or a related field or equivalent combination of education or experience.\nSignificant, progressively responsible experience in media relations, strategic communications, issue management or related work (typically 7 to 10 years).\nDemonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.\nExcellent understanding of all primary media channels, including broadcast, digital and print.\nExperience serving as a media spokesperson for a complex organization.\nAbility to write and edit quickly and meet deadlines.\nDemonstrated knowledge of the latest Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.\nKnowledge of AP style and proficiency in social media usage and analytics. \nPreferred Qualifications:\nExperience managing media monitoring platforms like Critical Mention, Meltwater, etc.\nExperience with emerging media channels, including podcasts and/or online publications.\nPrevious experience in higher ed, government or other complex organization(s).\nConditions of Employment:\nThis position may require overtime to include scheduled and unscheduled, nights, weekends or holidays. \nThis is a University Professional (UP), exempt position and is expected to exercise discretion and independent judgment in fulfilling assigned responsibilities.\nIs the position remote work eligible? Hybrid (works remotely at least 1 day per week but not full-time).\nPosition Classification\nThis position is classified as professional, meaning it is salaried and exempt from overtime. For benefits and leave purposes, this role falls under the \"12-month Professionals & Faculty\" classification on the HR website. \nJob Duties:\n40% - Media Relations:\nLead regional and local media engagement efforts for the university, working directly with university leadership, the President’s Executive Leadership Team, Cabinet. and the Office of Public Safety, promoting William & Mary and William & Mary’s national preeminence by pitching stories and promoting university staff and faculty as experts to news outlets while advancing the university’s reputation through integrated earned, digital, and emerging media strategies.\nDirect and manage media response and pitches, with focus on local and regional media.\nServe as a senior liaison between media organizations, university leadership and campus partners (academic units and the provosts office, for example).\nWrite and build a strategy for media plans for major university announcements or events.\nManage institutional processes for media access, includingfilm requests for campus.\nMonitor media coverage and identify themes, opportunities and risks, working closely with the Executive Director to build strategy.\nCoordinate media placements and prepare experts for interviews, with focus on local and regional media.\nLead University Communication’s media workspace efforts during emergency or campus-wide incidents.\n20% - Tracking & Analytics:\nOversee media tracking and analysis to support the Media Relations and broader University Communications team’s efforts and strategies.\nWork closely with the University Advancement Research & Analytics team.\nLeverage data to inform decision-making, refine messaging, and improve performance.\nOversee vendor relationships and tools related to monitoring, analytics, and reporting.\n10% - Content:\nProvide strategic guidance for and contribute as necessary to the writing, editing and proofreading of stories for W&M News. \nWork with the Content & Strategy team on special projects & major events. \n20% - Executive Counsel & Spokesperson Responsibilities:\nServe as university spokesperson as necessary, including evening and weekend hours.\nAdvise senior leadership on messaging, reputational risk, and media engagement strategies, as necessary.\n10% - Other:\nWork closely with the Executive Director of Media Relations and the Director of Crisis Communications in managing crisis communications for the university, as needed.\nServe as an on-call representative for emergencies and other after-hours needs on a rotating basis.\nPerform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.\nEqual Opportunity Statement\nEEO is the Law. Applicants can learn more about William & Mary’s status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the \"Know Your Rights\" poster published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal\nBackground Check Statement\nWilliam & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.\nBenefits Summary Statement\nWilliam & Mary offers our employees a full array of benefits including retirement, health insurance with options for expanded dental and vision along with group and optional life insurance with coverage for spouse and children, flexible spending accounts, and an EAP (Employee Assistance Program). Our employees enjoy additional university benefits such as educational assistance, professional development, wellness benefits, and a robust holiday schedule. All employees have access to fitness facilities on campus. Staff members also have access to the university libraries, and much more.\nAdditional Job Description:\nJob Profile:\nJP0756 - Senior Communications/Marketing Specialist - Exempt - Salary - S12Qualifications:\nCompensation Grade:\nS12Recruiting Start Date:\n2026-10-02Position Restrictions:\nContinuing E&G funded position and not term-limitedEEO is the Law. Applicants can learn more about William & Mary’s status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the \"Know Your Rights\" poster published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal\nBackground Check: William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.\nApplicant Notice: By applying for this position, you consent to William & Mary's use, review, and retention of your application materials for recruitment and employment purposes. Materials may be shared with authorized individuals participating in the hiring process and will be managed in accordance with applicable laws and university policies.\nProbationary Period Notice: Individuals selected for full-time staff positions will be required to complete a twelve (12) month probationary period in accordance with university policy.\nRemote Work Disclaimer: Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval. Employee eligibility depends on the likelihood of the employee succeeding in a remote work arrangement and the supervisor’s ability to manage remote workers. 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