Senior Director of Public Relations

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission.

At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Here is what we offer:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
• Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
• Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match
• Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
• Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us!

BASIC FUNCTIONS:

The Senior Director of Public Relations is a senior communications strategist responsible for leading the University's enterprise-wide media relations, public relations, and external communications initiatives that advance Howard University's reputation, visibility, and strategic priorities. The Senior Director serves as one of the University's primary media relations leaders, providing strategic counsel to senior leadership while overseeing proactive and responsive communications that strengthen Howard University's reputation among key stakeholders. Under the direction of the Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, and as a member of the Office of University Communications leadership team, the Senior Director develops and implements integrated public relations strategies that elevate the University's local, national, and global profile by promoting academic excellence, research innovation, institutional leadership, faculty expertise, student achievement, alumni success, community engagement, and other strategic initiatives.

NATURE AND SCOPE:
The Senior Director of Public Relations serves as a senior communications leader responsible for advancing Howard University's reputation through strategic media relations, issues management, executive communications, and risk/crisis communications. The position partners with senior leadership and University stakeholders to support institutional priorities and enhance the University's visibility and brand.

SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY:

Provides strategic leadership and supervision for the Media Relations staff, student workers and student interns, including assigning work, establishing performance expectations, coaching and mentoring staff, conducting performance evaluations, and supporting professional development.Oversees the Media Relations operating budget, external vendors, and departmental resources to ensure the effective and efficient execution of strategic communications initiatives.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Strategic Public Relations

• Collaborate with the Office of University Communications leadership and management teams to develop and execute comprehensive public relations strategies that support the University's strategic priorities and institutional goals.
• Lead proactive media relations initiatives that increase visibility for Howard University's academic, research, philanthropic, and institutional accomplishments.
• Identify and develop opportunities to position University leaders, faculty, and subject matter experts as trusted voices on issues of national and global importance.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, national, and international media outlets.
• Develop integrated communications plans for major institutional announcements, initiatives, and special projects.

Media Relations

• Serve as a background spokesperson for the University and respond to media inquiries on behalf of the institution.
• Develop media pitches, press releases, background materials, talking points, and press kits.
• Coordinate interviews, media briefings, editorial board meetings, and press conferences.
• Cultivate long-term relationships with journalists, editors, producers, and influencers across print, broadcast, digital, and trade media.
• Monitor emerging news opportunities and recommend proactive media engagement strategies.
• Serves as the primary OUC liaison to the Office of Student Affairs leadership and leadership of the Divisions/Departments under the Office of Student Affairs, including the Athletics Department.

Reputation Management & Executive Communications

• Advise the Vice President & Chief Communications Officer and senior University leadership on media strategy, messaging, and reputational considerations.
• Develop strategic messaging that reinforces Howard University's mission, values, and institutional priorities.
• Support executive visibility initiatives through earned media opportunities and thought leadership strategies.
• Provide communications counsel and lead rapid response efforts on sensitive institutional issues and emerging opportunities.

Issues & Crisis Communications

• Assist in developing and implementing crisis communications strategies and issues management plans.
• Prepare executive statements, key messages, FAQs, and communications materials during time-sensitive situations.
• Monitor emerging issues that may affect the University's reputation and recommend appropriate communications strategies.
• Participate in the University's emergency communications planning and response efforts.

Integrated Communications

• Collaborate with colleagues across the Office of University Communications to develop integrated communications campaigns that leverage earned media, owned media, digital communications, publications, web, photography, video, and social media.
• Partner with academic schools, colleges, research centers, administrative units, and institutional leaders to identify and promote newsworthy stories.
• Ensure consistency of messaging, institutional voice, and brand across external communications.

Media Monitoring & Analytics

• Oversee media monitoring and measurement programs and reports to evaluate earned media performance, and analyze media coverage, audience engagement, and communications metrics to inform strategy.
• Identify trends in higher education, news media, and public discourse that may influence University communications, and prepare executive reports demonstrating communications outcomes and institutional impact.

Leadership & Administration

• Supervise media relations staff, student workers and student interns, as assigned.
• Establish departmental goals, performance expectations, and professional development plans.
• Manage budgets, vendor relationships, and agency partnerships related to media relations and public relations initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and service-oriented communications culture.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Strategic Leadership and Collaboration

• Experience developing enterprise-wide communications strategies aligned with institutional priorities.
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgment in high-profile and sensitive situations.
• Demonstrates executive presence and strategic thinking.
• Builds trusted relationships across diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Works effectively across organizational boundaries to advance institutional goals.
• Demonstrates diplomacy, discretion, professionalism, and support of leadership priorities.

Media Relations

• Extensive experience cultivating relationships with journalists and media organizations.
• Strong news judgment and storytelling ability.
• Skilled spokesperson and media strategist.

Communications Excellence

• Outstanding writing, editing, and message development skills.
• Ability to translate complex academic and institutional topics into compelling, accessible narratives.
• Demonstrated crisis communications and rapid response writing experience.
• Strong presentation, executive presence, and public speaking skills.

Project & Performance Management

• Successfully manages multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Uses analytics and performance metrics to measure communications effectiveness.
• Leads teams and projects with accountability and results orientation.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, Strategic Communications, Marketing, English, or a related discipline.
• Master's degree and experience leading college or university communications preferred but not required.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in media relations, public relations, strategic communications, journalism, or corporate communications.
• Minimum of seven years of supervisory and leadership experience.
• Experience leading higher education, nonprofit, government, or other mission-driven organizations, and strong understanding of higher education communications or similarly complex organizations. Experience managing crisis communications and issues management.
• Demonstrated success managing high-profile communications initiatives and complex media environments.
• Experience serving as an institutional spokesperson, and successfully securing national, regional, and international media coverage.
• Experience advising senior executives on communications strategy and reputation management.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Experience using media monitoring and analytics platforms (e.g., Cision, Meltwater, Muck Rack, or similar), and digital media strategy, content management systems, and AI-assisted communications tools.
• Ability to work outside of normal business hours.

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure

Expected Salary Range: $145,000 - $150,000