Senior Media Relations Officer

Senior Media Relations Officer

Company: Dartmouth College

Category: Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs

Type: Full-Time

Posting date: 04/30/2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Position Number: 1129568

Hiring Range: Minimum $106,600 - Maximum $133,200

Union Type: Not a Union Position

SEIU Level: Not an SEIU Position

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employment Category: Regular Full Time

Scheduled Months per Year: 12

Scheduled Hours per Week: 40

Schedule: Occasional early morning, evening, or weekend work may be required to support media relations needs or special events. Participation in a 24/7 on-call issues management rotation is required.

Location of Position: This position is based in Hanover, NH with the expectation of regular on-campus presence. Some flexibility for hybrid work may be available. Occasional early morning, evening, or weekend work may be required to support media relations needs or special events. Participation in a 24/7 on-call issues management rotation is required.

Remote Work Eligibility?: Onsite only

Is this a term position?: No

Is this a grant funded position?: No

Position Purpose

The Senior Media Relations Officer will play a critical role in advancing and protecting the reputation of Dartmouth and its students, faculty, and staff. This position manages day-to-day media relations intake and response, builds and maintains relationships with reporters and editors, and serves as a point of contact for media inquiries regarding institutional news and issues across all media outlets, including student media. The role supports proactive media engagement - including writing and pitching institutional and faculty research stories for external outlets and Dartmouth-owned channels - as well as responsive media operations and on-the-ground coordination during issues, crises, and other high-profile events on campus. The Senior Media Relations Officer serves as a Dartmouth spokesperson and participates in a 24/7 on-call issues management rotation.

Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp

Bachelors or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field.
• 5 or more years of experience in media relations, communications, or a related field.
• Experience in issues management, crisis communications, or high-stakes media environments.
• Experience drafting communications materials for senior leadership review.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft press materials, statements, talking points, and FAQs under tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to process information quickly to produce accurate and timely communications.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with journalists and serve as an organizational representative or spokesperson.
• Strong news judgment and the ability to anticipate and assess reputational risks and opportunities.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex or sensitive situations and recommend strategic communications responses.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, including during crisis or emergency situations.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment when handling confidential or sensitive information.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships across teams and a complex organization to achieve shared goals.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and maintain systems and processes that support team operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in higher education, public relations, and/or journalism.
• Experience in issues management or crisis communications.
• Experience in a similarly complex institutional environment.
• Familiarity with media monitoring tools, press list management, and media analytics.

Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries

Faith Goodness
Phone: 603-646-3015

Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title: Jana Barnello, Director of Media Relations and Communications Strategy

Description

Advance the Reputation of Dartmouth and Its Community (50%):

• Serves as a primary point of contact for media inquiries regarding institutional news and issues, building and maintaining strong working relationships with reporters, editors, and other media contacts, including student journalists.
• Responds to media inquiries in a timely, accurate, and strategic manner, coordinating with the Director of Media Relations and Office of Communications leadership as appropriate.
• Proactively identifies, writes, pitches, and produces content on institutional news, faculty expertise and research, campus events, and strategic priorities for external media outlets and Dartmouth-owned channels.
• Coordinates and manages on-campus media visits, including logistics, escorts, and interview scheduling.
• Maintains and updates press lists, media contact databases, and media protocols.
• Coordinates logistics for institutional announcements, press conferences, and media events.
• Drafts press materials, including statements, news releases, and media advisories.
• Develops and maintains talking points, FAQs, and interview prep materials in support of institutional priorities and issues management needs.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with colleagues across the Office of Communications, campus partners, and relevant institutional stakeholders to ensure aligned and coordinated media outreach.
• Provides media training for Dartmouth community members.
• Takes initiative to use and leverage new technologies, social media, student interns, and media analytics to inform strategy and expand media relations efforts.

Crisis and Issues Management (50%):

• At the direction of the Director of Media Relations and/or Office of Communications leadership, supports issues management, crisis, and emergency communications.
• Drafts media statements, FAQs, talking points, and/or community messages.
• Monitors media coverage and tracks media requests.
• Serves as a Dartmouth spokesperson.
• Acts as on-the-ground staff presence during high-profile or sensitive campus events that draw media attention to support institutional messaging, coordination, and situational awareness.
• Supports the Director of Media Relations in maintaining Dartmouth's emergency communications plans.
• Serves on Dartmouth emergency planning committees.
• As assigned, handles confidential, sensitive information, exercises excellent professional judgment and discretion, and interacts appropriately with Dartmouth constituencies, including senior officers.
• Participates in 24/7 on-call issues management rotation.
• Fosters respectful communication and collaboration within a diverse community.

Demonstrates professionalism and collegiality through actions, interactions, and communications with others appropriate to an environment that is welcoming to all.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Quick Link: https://searchjobs.dartmouth.edu/postings/85489