Job Posting Title:

Assistant Director of National Media Strategy

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Hiring Department:

University Marketing and Communications

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

Purpose

The Assistant Director of National Media Strategy plays a pivotal role in shaping and enhancing the public image and visibility of the University through proactive media engagement. This position is responsible for developing strategic relationships with national media outlets to publicize and advance the University’s academic and research initiatives, including those related to Energy, Artificial Intelligence, and Robotics with priority audiences. The Assistant Director will collaborate with key internal and external stakeholders to develop a comprehensive understanding of the University’s initiatives and advancements in the Energy, AI, and Robotics disciplines, as well as their unique attributes that separate the University from peer institutions. Additionally, the Assistant Director will be at the forefront of understanding global advancements and industry trends involving these areas.

General Notes

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis for any employer without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

Media Relations: Develop and maintain relationships with national and international media outlets and media influencers. Serve as a key point of contact for national media inquiries and proactively pitch stories to secure coverage that highlights the University’s academic and research achievements in priority initiatives including Energy, AI, and Robotics.

Strategic Communications: Collaborate with the University’s communications and marketing teams to create and implement media plans that support institutional priorities.

Content Creation: Work closely with faculty, researchers, and leadership to identify and develop compelling stories that showcase the University’s strengths and innovations. Write press releases, op-eds, media advisories, and other content tailored for external media distribution.

Media Monitoring & Analytics: Track and analyze media coverage to evaluate the effectiveness of media strategies and report on key performance indicators. Use insights to optimize future media outreach efforts.

External Partnerships: Foster relationships with external partners, such as industry groups, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies, to amplify the University’s media presence and collaborative initiatives.

Social Media Engagement: Work closely with the digital and social media teams to ensure media strategies are integrated across online platforms, contributing to consistent messaging and engagement with broader audiences.

Management: May recruit, hire, train, supervise, and mentor assigned staff.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.

5 years of experience in media relations, public relations, or a similar field.

Proven success in developing and executing media strategies and securing placements with national digital, print and broadcast media outlets as well as guest appearances in thought leadership forums such as podcasts and conferences.

Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to communicate complex ideas to a variety of audiences.

Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills; ability to work effectively with university leadership, faculty, staff, and external partners.

Ability to quickly grasp and communicate complex, often technical subject matter and identify the value to core audiences.

Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple projects with competing deadlines.

Knowledge of media monitoring and analytics tools.

Familiarity with the higher education landscape and current trends affecting universities.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree preferred.

More than 5 years of experience in media relations, public relations, or a similar field, preferably in higher education.

Demonstrated impact placing earned media content in subject matter related to this role.

Demonstrated experience in digital media strategy and social media engagement.

Understanding of SEO and digital marketing best practices.

Salary Range

$95,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

May work around standard office conditions.

Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

Occasional overtime during peak periods.  

This position is based in Austin, TX and is required to work on campus; however, the position is eligible for flexible scheduling and may be eligible for occasional remote work. 

Required Materials

Resume/CV

Letter of interest

Three writing samples.

3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left-hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled into your application. The application is one page, and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.