Director of Media Relations and Public Affairs

Job Description

The Mizzou Division of Marketing and Communications seeks a dynamic, experienced communications leader to serve as director of media relations and public affairs. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of fostering proactive media coverage and will demonstrate skill in managing issues for a large, complex organization. This director reports to one of the division’s senior directors, is a member of the central marketing and communications leadership team and works closely with Mizzou and UM System leaders.

The director of media relations and public affairs is the primary university spokesperson and main contact for local, state and national media. The director is responsible for managing and mentoring two direct reports, developing and leading the university’s issues management infrastructure and staying abreast of local and national issues and trends in higher education.

The director will also work closely with the university police department (MUPD), emergency management and other partners across the university and across UM System to create and execute a comprehensive safety communications strategy. The public information officer for MUPD reports to the director.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Works with the university’s chief marketing and communications officer and senior director of marketing and communications to develop comprehensive strategies and messaging to effectively protect and promote the image, brand and reputation of the university.
• Serves as the primary spokesperson for Mizzou and UM System, responding promptly to media inquiries and sharing information proactively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Provides strategic counsel to Mizzou and UM System leaders, and colleagues from across the division and campus.
• Establishes and maintains strong working relationships with local, state and national media, and leverages those connections to ensure accurate coverage and high-profile placements for the university in line with its strategic priorities.
• Monitors media coverage and anticipates emerging issues.
• Develops and maintains a communications strategy and plan to effectively communicate important safety messages to the university community.
• Works closely with the MUPD chief and members of the Emergency Management team.
• Prepares for and manages Mizzou and UM System press conferences.
• Manages and leads training in the university’s crisis communications plan.
• Manages MU Alert and media inquiries in the event of a crisis.
• Manages and tracks media coverage of the university and UM System in coordination with the managing editor of Show Me Mizzou.
• Manages the three-person Media Relations and Public Affairs team and the related on-call schedule.
• Develops and monitors an annual budget related to the goals and operational needs of the Media Relations and Public Affairs team.
• Assumes other duties and responsibilities as assigned.