The University of Arizona

Executive Director, External Communications

The University of Arizona • $110K — $130K *
Tucson, AZ 85705In-Person
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning through professional experience required.
  • Minimum of 9 years of related work experience including 5 years in management.
  • Experience leading teams, projects, programs, or functions is required.
  • Master's degree preferred.
  • Experience in high-pressure environments and managing confidential information.

Responsibilities

  • Lead news content creation to showcase the university's strengths.
  • Develop and implement media and public relations strategies.
  • Manage efforts to increase earned media visibility at various levels.
  • Oversee editorial production and content distribution for key channels.
  • Serve as a university spokesperson for media inquiries and commentary.
  • Establish and maintain relationships with journalists and content creators.
  • Manage day-to-day reputation efforts and crisis communications.
  • Collaborate with various teams on multimedia storytelling.

Benefits

  • Full benefits package available to employees.
  • Opportunity for professional growth within the university.
  • Supportive work environment within a high-profile institution.
  • Access to higher education resources and networks.
Full Job Description
Executive Director, External Communications

Posting Number
req26791

Department
Communications

Department Website Link
University Marketing & Communication
Location
Tucson Campus

Address
Tucson, AZ USA

Position Highlights
The Executive Director, External Communications is responsible for leading the University of Arizona's media and public relations, news content, science and research writing, and crisis communications functions, and for serving as a lead university spokesperson. Reporting to the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, this position will lead a team of news content, media relations, and research communications professionals and have a direct role in elevating the university's profile in Arizona and nationally. This position will work closely with campus leaders and have an active role in communicating key institutional issues and helping the university address reputational opportunities and challenges. The executive director also will serve on the Crisis Communications Team in a leadership role.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic External Communications:
  • Lead news content creation reflecting the university's comprehensive research, education, public service, and student support programs.
  • Develop and implement the university's media and public relations plan.
  • Manage the university's efforts to grow earned media visibility locally, statewide, and nationally.
  • Lead external communications efforts to advance the university's strategic imperatives and build building goals.
  • Oversee editorial production and content distribution for the university's primary web and email news channels.
  • Provide counsel and direct support to university leadership engaging externally on issues related to the university.
  • Oversee media requests, media analysis and coverage reports, and proactive media outreach.
  • Manage staff responsible for identifying, cataloging and evaluating rankings relevant to the university.
  • Manage the team responsible for identifying trending news topics and pitching faculty experts.
  • Serve as a university spokesperson and respond to requests for comment or information.
  • Collaborate with University Marketing and Communications colleagues on multimedia and digital storytelling.

Leadership and Management
  • Manage external communications staff comprised of news, content creation, science and research communicators, and media relations professionals.
  • Serve as a member of the University Marketing and Communications Leadership team.

Relationship Management
  • Establish, advance, and maintain relationships with journalists, news organizations, and independent content creators.
  • Lead External Communications team's efforts to engage faculty across the campus to increase the national visibility of their research and expertise.
  • Operate as a conduit to communicators across campus on matters relating to news, research, media, reputation management, and storytelling.
  • Work closely with and advise central administrative units and campus leaders.

Reputation Management
  • Manage the University's day-to-day reputation management efforts, including developing messaging, coordinating with campus stakeholders, and responding to queries.
  • Work closely with the Office of Public Safety and Crisis Communications Team to provide proactive crisis communications planning and effective communications response to crises.
  • Respond to and manage crises and reputational issues as they arise.
  • In collaboration with the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer and the Chief Safety Officer, update and implement crisis communications plans.
  • Collaborate with University Marketing and Communications colleagues to monitor and, when necessary, respond to external conversations about the university.
  • Develop and implement processes around issues management.
  • Provide strategic counsel to senior management and faculty on matters affecting the brand reputation of the university.
  • Work closely with the Office of General Counsel, Office of Public Records, and other administrative departments that manage sensitive issues.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • The ideal candidate will have a strong external communications background and a proven track record in developing and executing strategic communications plans.
  • Candidates will be seasoned in engaging with media, developing content, and managing reputational risks.


This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
  • Minimum of 9 years of related work experience, including 5 years of managerial experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
  • Experience leading a team, project, program, or function is required.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's degree preferred.
  • Experience working with senior executive leaders, managing multiple projects and tight deadlines, maintaining confidential and sensitive information, and performing in high-pressure environments.
  • Prior experience at a large, high-profile organization preferred.


FLSA
Exempt

Full Time/Part Time
Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week
40

Job FTE
1.0

Work Calendar
Fiscal

Job Category
Communication and Marketing

Benefits Eligible
Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay
DOE

Compensation Type
salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade
13

Compensation Guidance
The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.

The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.

Career Stream and Level
M4

Job Family
Communications

Job Function
Communications & Marketing

Type of criminal background check required:
Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies
1

Target Hire Date
8/31/2026

Expected End Date

Contact Information for Candidates
Johnny Cruz,
[email protected]

Open Date
8/14/2026

Open Until Filled
Yes

Documents Needed to Apply
Resume and Cover Letter

Special Instructions to Applicant

About The University of Arizona

The University of Arizona is a public research university in Tucson, Arizona. Founded in 1885, the UA was the first university in the Arizona Territory. As of 2021, the university enrolls 45,918 students in 19 separate colleges/schools, including the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson and Phoenix and the James E. Rogers College of Law, and is affiliated with two academic medical centers (Banner - University Medical Center Tucson and Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix). The University of Arizona is one of the elected members of the Association of American Universities (an organization of North America's premier research institutions) and is the only representative from the state of Arizona to this group. UA athletes have won national titles in several sports, most notably men's basketball, baseball, and softball. The official colors of the university and its athletic teams are cardinal red and navy blue.
Learn more about The University of Arizona
Size
15,000 employees
Industry
Education, Government & Non-Profit
* Ladders Estimates

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