Senior Director News & Media Strategy (Higher Education Experience)

Kaeppel Consulting is in search of a Sr. Director of News & Media Strategy for a direct hire, onsite role at a client's site in San Antonio.

JOB DUTIES
Essential duties, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills.  This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations may be made as required.  Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities.  The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer.  Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

JOB DUTIES
TIME ESSENTIAL
Strategic Media Relations

• Develops and executes a comprehensive media and public relations strategy aligned with the University’s brand, mission, and strategic goals.
• Cultivates strong relationships with national, regional, and local media, as well as higher education and trade outlets.
• Proactively pitches expert sources and compelling story ideas that highlight faculty, students, alumni, and institutional achievements.
• Assists faculty, staff, and leadership with developing and placing op-eds that highlight their expertise and thought leadership.
• Provides strategic counsel, talking points, and training to leadership and others on media engagement and crisis communications.
• Serves as a University spokesperson and primary liaison and manager of engagements with all media.

25%XContent Leadership

• Identifies, shapes, and elevates key narratives that distinguish the university in the national higher education landscape.
• Partners with faculty, staff, and administrators to surface media-worthy stories and research.
• Oversees the Trinity news site as a timely and impactful tool for disseminating and tracking appropriate news and information.
• As a senior member of the SCM editorial staff, develops, researches, and writes timely stories and other content for the website, magazine, and other platforms.
• Partners with other SCM leaders to develop and manage content for admissions and development campaigns.
• Ensures accuracy, consistency, and brand alignment in all media-facing content.
• Coaches other writers and editors to develop and enhance storytelling and writing skills.

25%XIssues and Crisis Communication

• Collaborates with the Vice President and other University leaders to direct media and public relations and messaging during crisis and emergency situations.
• Provides crisis communication and media training and support for campus leadership and other spokespeople.

25%XTeam Management and Collaboration

• Supervises a media and public relations specialist/writer (currently the Public Relations Manager) and coordinates efforts across the SCM team to ensure cohesive messaging and effective storytelling.
• Works closely with colleagues in SCM, Alumni Relations and Development, Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and other divisions to amplify Trinity news across channels.

25%X
ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Assists Vice President with planning, writing, and editing executive communications.
• Cooperates and collaborates with other employees in the spirit of teamwork and collegiality and interacts with confidence, patience and integrity to provide professional leadership during emergencies.
• Complies with all University policies and guidelines.
• Performs other duties as required.

EDUCATION
Required:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in journalism, public relations, or related field.

EXPERIENCE
Required:

• Eight years of progressively responsible experience in media relations, journalism, or strategic communications.
• Demonstrated success securing national media coverage, particularly for complex organizations such as universities, nonprofits, or mission-drive enterprises.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Strong news judgment and understanding of the media landscape across platforms (print, broadcast, digital, social).
• Deep experience with issues and crisis communications.
• Experience working in or with higher education institutions.
• Existing relationships with national media contacts.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Required:

• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with a demonstrated ability to craft compelling, accurate, and strategic content across a variety of formats and platforms.
• Strong background in media relations, including experience developing story pitches, cultivating journalist relationships, and managing media inquiries and crises.
• Proven ability to mentor and coach writers and editors, fostering a collaborative environment that elevates storytelling quality and consistency.
• Strategic thinker with a keen understanding of news value, audience engagement, and alignment with institutional brand and voice.         

Preferred:

• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or mission-driven communications environments.
• Familiarity with web editing tools to update the news site and with media monitoring platforms to assess impact and inform strategy.         

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS
Preferred:

• None

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Occasional evenings or weekend work may be required for media responses or special events.
All jobs require a current Criminal Background Check (CBC).

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Public Relations Manager     .

NUMBER OF DIRECT REPORTS
One

NUMBER OF INDIRECT REPORTS
None

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Limited supervision.  Operates independently.

INTERACTION
Works with other employees
News reporters, editors and producers
Students
Faculty and staff
Alumni
Public/Government Officials

COMPUTER SOFTWARE
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Windows/Mac
Microsoft Word
Google Suite
Content Management System

EQUIPMENT
Computer
Printer
Scanner

SECURITY SENSITIVE
Each member of the faculty, staff and student body is responsible for carrying out campus regulations, procedures and practices and shall comply with federal, state and local laws related to security matters while on the campus or in the course of representing or conducting University activities.

ATTENDANCE STANDARD
Maintaining and satisfying minimum attendance requirements are an essential requirement of this position, including working all full-time regular hours as established by the supervisor in addition to any scheduled or emergency overtime.

INTERNAL CONTROLS
Applies to Supervisors (and above) and/or anyone with financial responsibilities.  Within the scope of position duties, responsible for seeing that operations are effective and efficient, assets are safeguarded, reliable financial data is maintained, and applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures are complied with.

DECISION MAKING
Plans and performs highly complex or technical work where no procedures or standard methods are available.

BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY
None

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
None

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
None

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
General office environment

CHEMICAL EXPOSURE
None

Powered by JazzHR