Senior Media Relations Officer.

Position Details

Dartmouth College has a Tobacco-Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, please see our policy. https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy

Key Accountabilities

• Advance the Reputation of Dartmouth and Its Community: Serves as a primary point of contact for media inquiries regarding institutional news and issues, building and maintaining strong working relationships with reporters, editors, and other media contacts, including student journalists.
  Responds to media inquiries in a timely, accurate, and strategic manner, coordinating with the Director of Media Relations and Office of Communications leadership as appropriate.
  Proactively identifies, writes, pitches, and produces content on institutional news, faculty expertise and research, campus events, and strategic priorities for external media outlets and Dartmouth-owned channels.
  Coordinates and manages on-campus media visits, including logistics, escorts, and interview scheduling.
  Maintains and updates press lists, media contact databases, and media protocols.
  Coordinates logistics for institutional announcements, press conferences, and media events.
  Drafts press materials, including statements, news releases, and media advisories.
  Develops and maintains talking points, FAQs, and interview prep materials in support of institutional priorities and issues management needs.
  Builds and maintains strong relationships with colleagues across the Office of Communications, campus partners, and relevant institutional stakeholders to ensure aligned and coordinated media outreach.
  Provides media training for Dartmouth community members.

• Crisis and Issues Management: At the direction of the Director of Media Relations and/or Office of Communications leadership, supports issues management, crisis, and emergency communications.
  Drafts media statements, FAQs, talking points, and/or community messages.
  Monitors media coverage and tracks media requests.
  Serves as a Dartmouth spokesperson.
  Acts as on-the-ground staff presence during high-profile or sensitive campus events that draw media attention to support institutional messaging, coordination, and situational awareness.
  Supports the Director of Media Relations in maintaining Dartmouth’s emergency communications plans.
  Serves on Dartmouth emergency planning committees.
  As assigned, handles confidential, sensitive information, exercises excellent professional judgment and discretion, and interacts appropriately with Dartmouth constituencies, including senior officers.
  Participates in 24/7 on-call issues management rotation.
  Fosters respectful communication and collaboration within a diverse community.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field.
• 5 or more years of experience in media relations, communications, or a related field.
• Experience in issues management, crisis communications, or high-stakes media environments.
• Experience drafting communications materials for senior leadership review.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft press materials, statements, talking points, and FAQs under tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to process information quickly to produce accurate and timely communications.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with journalists and serve as an organizational representative or spokesperson.
• Strong news judgment and the ability to anticipate and assess reputational risks and opportunities.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex or sensitive situations and recommend strategic communications responses.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, including during crisis or emergency situations.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment when handling confidential or sensitive information.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships across teams and a complex organization to achieve shared goals.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and maintain systems and processes that support team operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in higher education, public relations, and/or journalism.
• Experience in issues management or crisis communications.
• Experience in a similarly complex institutional environment.
• Familiarity with media monitoring tools, press list management, and media analytics.