The mission of the University of Oklahoma is to provide the best possible educational experience for our students through excellence in teaching, research and creative activity, and service to the state and society. To help the university communicate this vision, we are searching for a Director of Media Reations. 

The Director of Media Relations will be responsible for leading the planning and execution of a media and public relations strategy aligned with the strategic vision of the university and brand objectives as determined by the Vice President of Marketing and Communications. The director will cultivate and sustain relationships with national, regional, local and specialty media. This individual will proactively identify and pursue news stories that demonstrate the University of Oklahoma’s strategic vision and leadership position within the field of higher education. The director will regularly strategize, develop, and execute proactive and reactive media engagement activities with top-tier specialty media in addition to national, state, regional and local outlets. The director will effectuate public relations strategy by converting university goals into actionable and effective media and public relations tactics. The director will be an effective storyteller, writing and producing stories on behalf of OU News and actively pitching university stories to targeted outlets. Other communications responsibilities may include executive-level communications such as presentations, speeches, op-eds, letters, and other writings as required. The director also serves as the university’s primary Public Information Officer (PIO).

Duties:

• Handles all incoming inquiries from the media, writes and pitches stories, devoting special attention to timely stories that enhance the public’s positive perception of the university
• Drafts press releases, media advisories, and university statements, and media responses, and serves as the on-call spokesperson for the university
• Identifies and cultivates key media contacts, outlets, and markets to maximize coverage of news and support strategic communications goals
• Provides specialized media training for faculty, researchers, administrators, student leaders, and staff; Assists, advises, and counsels colleges and departments on all media relations efforts
• Works in conjunction with the Vice President of Marketing and Communications, the Director of Communications, and other administrators to facilitate issues management and crisis communications efforts, maintaining strict confidentiality
• Serves as PIO and member of the Emergency Operations Committee to provide messaging and dissemination support university-wide
• Performs various duties as needed to successfully fulfill the functions of the position.

****Examples of work: 2-3 examples of published work: news release, story pitch, editorial content (optional, but not a replacement for a media release or story pitch)****