Job Summary/Basic Functions

Eastern Kentucky University seeks a dynamic, strategic, and highly skilled communications professional to serve as the Director of Media Relations and Strategic Communications. This position will lead the development and execution of high-level communications strategies that advance institutional priorities, support executive leadership messaging, and strengthen engagement with internal and external stakeholders. The position reports directly to the Executive Director of Strategic Communications under the Executive Vice President and maintains a close collaborative relationship with the Vice President for Public Affairs and Chief Marketing Officer. The role regularly engages with university leadership, academic and administrative units, governmental partners, and external stakeholders.

The position serves as a key communications liaison between executive leadership and the Office of Public Affairs, helping coordinate messaging related to institutional initiatives, state and federal government relations, public policy, strategic projects, economic impact initiatives, and executive communications.

The Director will help ensure consistent, timely, and strategically aligned communications are implemented effectively.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, public affairs, marketing, political science, or related field.

Experience: Minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, public affairs, government relations, executive communications, higher education communications, media or related fields.

Licensure & Certifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

Job Duties:

• 30% - Media Relations - Serve as media relations lead and as an additional University Spokesperson. - Develop and execute proactive media outreach strategies. - Cultivate relationships and coordinate proactive communications with state, local and national media. - Identify earned media opportunities that position the university as a leader in higher education, workforce innovation and regional engagement. - Support media relations efforts in partnership with the Office of Public Affairs and University Communications. - Assist in communications planning and rapid response messaging. - (Essential)
• 20% - Strategic Communications & Messaging - Develop and execute strategic communications plans supporting institutional priorities and executive initiatives. - Draft and edit high-level communications materials, including but not limited to speeches, talking points, briefing documents, op-eds, letters, presentations, reports, and stakeholder messaging. - Assist in crafting messaging related to state and federal legislative priorities, state appropriations, capital projects, economic development initiatives, and university partnerships. - Coordinate messaging strategies with Public Affairs and Marketing & Communications to ensure institutional alignment and consistency. - Conduct interviews with internal and external stakeholders to be used for social media purposes, website enhancement, and other University purposes in collaboration with Marketing & Communications. - (Essential)
• 10% - Executive Communications - Provide direct communications support to the Executive Vice President and senior leadership. - Support executive-level correspondence, presentations, meeting materials, and communications for internal and external audiences. - Support executive visibility through strategic storytelling, media positioning, and public engagement opportunities. - (Essential)
• 30% - Public Affairs & Government Relations - Collaborate with Public Affairs leadership on communications related to government relations, public policy, advocacy initiatives, and legislative engagement. - Assist in preparing materials for elected officials, governmental agencies, community stakeholders, and external partners. - Help communicate the university’s impact on workforce development, economic growth, healthcare, education, aviation, and regional development. - Travel to events and targeted meetings in support of the executive team and Public Affairs. - (Essential)
• 10% - Digital & Content Strategy - Develop content for digital platforms, executive social media engagement, newsletters, websites, and public-facing communications in collaboration with the Assistant Director of Digital Strategy and Marketing & Communications. - Ensure messaging reflects EKU brand standards, institutional voice, and strategic priorities. - Monitor communications effectiveness and recommend strategies to improve stakeholder engagement. - (Essential)