Job Summary

The Spokesperson is a full-time position in the Office of Strategic Relations and Communications (SRC), handling day-to-day issues that necessitate a media response or could require public messaging later. This position reports to the Director of Issues Management and Spokesperson and assists the Director in carrying out key media communications plans and media responses for the entire campus, with a focus on Campus Operations, Infrastructure and Resilience, Local Government and Community Engagement, Sustainability and other areas of campus as assigned. Areas of responsibility include developing and delivering institutional messages, talking points, official statements and responses, while also preparing other faculty, staff and administrators to engage with the media on issues-driven breaking news and campus emergencies.

The Spokesperson will be involved with campus emergency communications and will serve as the university's Public Information Officer (PIO) on-call rotation. This position will also be a member of the Emergency Services Public Information Officers of Colorado (ESPIOC) to stay abreast of current standards and develop relationships with other regional PIOs.

The primary objectives of this job are to ensure that:

• Communications partners are regularly engaged to evaluate their needs and improve their communication effectiveness.
• Well-informed and thorough responses are made to issues-driven media requests and other issues.
• Communications plans are developed in advance to address a variety of markets and objectives.
• The university is well-represented, and its reputation is protected at all times.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Coordinate and deliver timely and clear responses to the student, local, state, national and global media that cover the University of Colorado Boulder.
• Develop quick media strategies, response plans, talking points, official statements and social media messages, and serve as spokesperson to advance them.
• Proactively identify potential crises/issues before they arise and create strategic plans on how to address them.
• Handle day-to-day contacts, along with the Associate Director, for media requests in assigned beat areas and as assigned by the Director.
• Gather facts, data and background information in support of developing communication plans and strategies, presentations, editorials and other communication deliverables.
• Develop relationships with campus partners to understand the media relations aspects of major initiatives, announcements, issues and other matters of public interest.
• Coordinate media strategies for the university, including identifying story ideas, noting trends in higher education news, and promoting the university's profile.
• Write news releases, media advisories, CU Boulder Today newsletter stories, social media and other strategic messages for dissemination across a variety of media platforms.
• Support emergency/crisis communication and response.
• Develop university communications and responses to media inquiries in emergency/crisis situations.
• In coordination with the Director, Associate Director and Public Information Officer, manage the university's communications response to emergencies as needed.
• Receive training in emergency response communications standards.
• Serve in regular rotation as on-call weekend campus PIO.
• Perform other writing, editing and strategizing responsibilities as assigned.

What You Should Know

This is a hybrid work opportunity that may require some nights and weekends.

What We Can Offer

The annual salary range for this position is $92,000-$110,000.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be inspired. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• 5+ years in media/public relations role or a combination of reporting/editing for a media organization and/or institutional communications for a college, university or public agency/entity, or in the private or non-profit sectors.
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in journalism, public relations/advertising or in a related discipline.

What You Will Need

• Ability to think quickly, employ standard processes in both institutional and crisis communications.
• Ability to present a calm and focused presence in print and broadcast interviews and to articulate complicated policies and positions in clear and careful common language.
• Ability to listen to others, quickly synthesize complex information and build consensus on public messages.
• Proficient knowledge of Associated Press style.
• Experience in monitoring media channels that include: social media, broadcast, print, wire service, independent and emerging media.
• Experience in creating communications plans, strategy documents, talking points and issues primers for key executives and messengers.
• Excellent writing skills that require little editing.
• High emotional intelligence; ability to remain calm and in control during stressful/emergency situations.

What We Would Like You to Have

• 7+ years in media/public relations role or a combination of reporting/editing for a media organization and/or institutional communications for a college, university or public agency/entity, or in the private or non-profit sectors.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. A current resume.
2. A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by June 22nd, 2026 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.

Essential Services

This position is designated "essential/critical services." The incumbent is required to respond to requests for work during campus emergencies (snow, wind, rain, flood and any other natural or man-made event) and report to work for regularly assigned shifts during emergency campus closures.