Assistant Director of Communications, Public Safety

Working at Yale means contributing to a better tomorrow. Whether you are a current resident of our New Haven-based community, eligible for opportunities through the New Haven Hiring Initiative, or a newcomer, your talents and contributions are welcome.

About the role

Yale University seeks a dynamic and strategic communications professional to join its Public Safety team as the Assistant Director of Communications. Reporting to both the Head of Public Safety and the Associate Vice President for Communications in the Office of Public Affairs & Communications (OPAC), this individual will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the department’s communications strategy, ensuring clear, effective, and timely messaging on matters related to campus safety, security, and emergency management.

The Assistant Director will serve as the primary communications liaison on matters of Public Safety and Security within the university and with external stakeholders, including local law enforcement, media, and the broader New Haven community. The Assistant Director of Communications will lead efforts to promote a culture of safety and preparedness while managing communications in partnership with the Office of Public Affairs & Communications during crisis situations. This individual will work with various internal departments to ensure that the university's public safety messages align with its mission, values, and priorities. This position is onsite with occasional evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy for the Department of Public Safety, ensuring the dissemination of accurate, transparent, and timely information regarding safety and security across campus.
• Serve as a key advisor and communications lead during emergencies and critical incidents, coordinating messaging and working closely with senior university leadership, media, and community partners in the Office of Public Affairs & Communications to provide clear and consistent updates.
• Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets. Act as the primary point of contact for media inquiries related to public safety incidents and policies, ensuring the university's perspective is clearly communicated.
• Design and implement communications campaigns that engage the Yale community in public safety initiatives, including crime prevention, emergency preparedness, and safety awareness. Work to build trust and foster positive relationships between Public Safety and the campus community.
• Oversee the department's digital presence, including social media platforms, to ensure that public safety messages are disseminated promptly, effectively, and engagingly. Monitor digital channels to assess public sentiment and address concerns promptly.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure the effective flow of information regarding public safety policies, training, and updates. Support initiatives that enhance communication between Public Safety and other departments within the university.
• Track and evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies through metrics such as engagement, media coverage, and feedback from the campus community. Regularly review communication plans to incorporate lessons learned and emerging best practices.
• Manage relationships with external media sources. Pursue media coverage creatively and aggressively. Respond to inquiries from national and international news media, student media, the University community, and the general public.
• Enhance the overall quality of media relations for key stakeholders by preparing them for media interviews. Manage relationships with key campus stakeholders with a high degree of professionalism, judgment, and understanding of stakeholder goals.
• Create compelling story ideas and narratives; produce content for both external and internal channels; write copy and social media posts and manage content.
• Plan social media strategies for key University communications and programs. Monitor University social media assets for negative comments or misinformation.
• Support short- and long-term communication planning with insights into audiences, channels, and culture; coordinate with other communications professionals to achieve institutional goals; lead the communications process within developed standards and protocols.
• Support effective response strategies, often in crisis situations requiring 24/7 attention and intense media/public scrutiny, and articulate the University’s position via personal interviews or written responses.
• Produce multimedia content and manage the work of graphic and web designers, student interns, printers, video producers, and photographers.
• Manage communication plans for all stakeholders by understanding the significance of campus initiatives and/or academic work; create compelling stories and messages to translate the significance through language that is clear and accessible for public awareness.
• Develop and maintain regular contact with media representatives in multiple disciplines.
• Maintain the Yale brand and graphic identity standards; support and maintain standard operating procedures; contribute to digital asset management.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or related field and five years of experience in public relations, journalism, television, corporate communications, or agency work or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience in developing communications for a range of media and working with creative professionals in design, photography, or video.

Skills

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information to diverse audiences on a timely basis.
• Strong media relations expertise, including managing inquiries, building relationships, and crafting effective press materials.
• Proven experience managing complex, high-stakes communication efforts, including crisis management and media relations.
• Demonstrated experience in crisis communications, including the ability to work under pressure and make decisions in fast-paced environments.
• Familiarity with social media platforms and digital communication tools.
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues across a wide range of departments and divisions to achieve strategic objectives.
• Strong leadership skills, with experience managing and mentoring staff to meet organizational goals.

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of public safety protocols in a higher education setting.
• Familiarity with higher education culture and the unique safety concerns of university communities.
• Experience with emergency notification systems and digital alert platforms.
• Experience with managing social media platforms and digital communication tools.

Pay

$68,000.00 - $120,500.00

Schedule

Full time, onsite with occasional evenings and weekends.