Description

The Senior Media Relations Officer will play a critical role in advancing and protecting the reputation of Dartmouth and its students, faculty, and staff. This position manages day-to-day media relations intake and response, builds and maintains relationships with reporters and editors, and serves as a point of contact for media inquiries regarding institutional news and issues across all media outlets, including student media. The role supports proactive media engagement - including writing and pitching institutional and faculty research stories for external outlets and Dartmouth-owned channels - as well as responsive media operations and on-the-ground coordination during issues, crises, and other high-profile events on campus. The Senior Media Relations Officer serves as a Dartmouth spokesperson and participates in a 24/7 on-call issues management rotation.

Description

Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp

Bachelors or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• 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.

Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries

Faith Goodness

Department Contact Phone Number

603-646-3015

Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title

Jana Barnello, Director of Media Relations and Communications Strategy

Department Contact's Phone Number

Equal Opportunity Employer

Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.

Background Check

Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Dartmouth vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?

Not an essential function

Special Instructions to Applicants

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

Additional Instructions

Key Accountabilities

Description

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.
• Takes initiative to use and leverage new technologies, social media, student interns, and media analytics to inform strategy and expand media relations efforts.

Percentage Of Time

50%

Description

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.

Percentage Of Time

50%

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Demonstrates professionalism and collegiality through actions, interactions, and communications with others appropriate to an environment that is welcoming to all.

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Performs other duties as assigned.