Director of Global Media Relations

About the role

Northeastern University is looking for a Director of Global Media Relations to join a high-performing Communications team at a global enterprise and oversee the strategy and execution of successful press engagement across domestic and global media markets.

The Director of Global Media Relations is a highly skilled individual with robust experience in managing media relations across top-tier news organizations, while setting ambitious and measurable goals with high expectations. The person in this role must have a proven track record of strategic and proactive ways to successfully engage members of the press, and manage the development of complex stories from idea to high-profile earned placements.

The Director of Global Media Relations is curious in their quest for great story ideas; committed to Northeastern’s brand and messaging priorities; skilled at building and maintaining relationships with the press; disciplined in their command of the facts; and relentless in their pursuit of landing positive stories in top-tier publications. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of global media markets both within the US and abroad.

Reporting to the Vice President for Communications, the Director of Global Media Relations has experience in promoting knowledge brands, including but not limited to the non-profit sector, and has a proven track record in successful crisis communications. The Director oversees a team of talented media relations professionals with responsibilities to manage incoming and proactive opportunities in media markets around the world, particularly in strategic locations within Northeastern’s global university system of 14 campuses.

The Director of Global Media Relations should be familiar with leveraging AI-powered tools—including media monitoring platforms, automated insight generation, and data analytics—to identify trends, surface story opportunities, and sharpen the university’s earned media strategy.

The Director of Global Media Relations is a great communicator, a versatile, curious and creative thinker, a superb and succinct writer, a great manager of projects and people, and a voracious consumer of news. Must have an impeccable sense of what is newsworthy and can successfully communicate complex ideas to various audiences, particularly to members of the press and university leaders. The Director is a key member of the External Affairs team, works closely with its senior leaders across the university, and collaborates with colleagues across divisions and locations.

The position is based on the Boston campus and is fully in-person. After-hours work, including weekends and holidays, is routinely required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee strategy and execution of press engagement across domestic and global media markets.
• Set ambitious and measurable goals for media relations.
• Engage members of the press strategically and proactively.
• Manage the development of complex stories from idea to high-profile earned placements.
• Build and maintain relationships with the press.
• Promote Northeastern’s brand and messaging priorities.
• Oversee a team of media relations professionals managing opportunities in global media markets.
• Leverage AI-powered tools for media monitoring, analytics, and content strategy.
• Communicate complex ideas effectively to press and university leaders.
• Collaborate with senior leaders and colleagues across divisions and locations.

Requirements

• Minimum of 6–8 years of experience in working with the press across top-tier publications, including those not based in the US.
• Experience working in fast-paced and strategic communications operations that prioritize earned press.
• Experience in managing people in a fast-paced and goal-oriented organization.
• Strong track record in working with reporters and managing complex stories that are on message and promote the organization through top-tier earned placements targeting key stakeholders.
• Familiarity with AI-powered media monitoring, analytics, and content tools, and a demonstrated ability to integrate these into daily workflow to improve efficiency and outcomes.
• Superb command of facts and data.
• Ability to stay calm and focused in a crisis situation.
• Energetic, positive attitude.
• Exemplary work ethic and attention to detail.

Benefits

Northeastern University offers a comprehensive benefits package for benefit-eligible employees, including:

• Medical, vision, and dental coverage.
• Paid time off.
• Tuition assistance.
• Wellness and life programs.
• Retirement plans.
• Commuting and transportation benefits.

Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

Pay

Expected hiring range: $99,010.00 - $143,567.50. The starting salary will depend on education, experience, location, knowledge, expertise, and skills, as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.