Director of Public Relations and Media Relations

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive public relations and earned-media strategy aligned with the university’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Serve as Regis College’s primary media contact and spokesperson, responding to inquiries accurately, thoughtfully, and in a timely manner.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, higher education, and trade media.
• Identify and develop compelling stories that highlight student and alumni success, faculty expertise, academic innovation, research, community partnerships, institutional milestones, and Regis’ contributions to the public good.
• Write and edit press releases, media advisories, media statements, talking points, fact sheets, media kits, and other institutional communications.
• Maintain a network of faculty and administrative experts who can provide informed commentary on timely topics.
• Establish and maintain university standards, protocols, and best practices for responding to media inquiries.
• Prepare university representatives for media interviews and other public-facing opportunities.
• Coordinate communications planning and execution during institutional emergencies, sensitive situations, and reputational challenges under the direction of the vice president of marketing and communications and senior leadership.
• Monitor emerging issues, news coverage, public sentiment, social media conversations, and higher education trends to identify potential risks and opportunities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, public affairs, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in public relations, media relations, journalism, strategic communications, public affairs, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing proactive public relations and earned-media strategies.
• Experience responding to media inquiries and supporting communications involving complex or sensitive issues.
• Strong writing, editing, presentation, and message-development skills, including experience producing communications for senior leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex topics into clear, compelling, and audience-appropriate communications.
• Strong news judgment and an understanding of the evolving media environment.
• Ability to provide reliable and diplomatic communications recommendations to colleagues and university leaders.
• Ability to exercise discretion, maintain confidentiality, and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to changing circumstances.

Preferred

• Experience in higher education or another complex, highly visible, mission-driven organization.
• Experience in healthcare, education, government, nonprofit, or public-policy communications.
• Established relationships with local or regional media, or demonstrated success building productive media relationships.
• Experience developing communications for a college president, chief executive, or other senior leader.
• Experience supporting government relations, community engagement, or public-affairs initiatives.
• Media-training or crisis-communications experience.
• The Successful Candidate Will Be An individual with a strong sense of belief in the Regis College mission and values of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston.
• A strategic and creative storyteller who can identify opportunities to elevate Regis’ mission, strengths, and impact.
• A collaborative colleague who builds trust and works effectively across academic and administrative areas.
• A calm, credible, and responsive presence during sensitive or rapidly evolving situations.