Director of Media Relations

Who we are

Why Rensselaer? Our dynamic global community of changemakers includes some of the world’s leading researchers, students, alumni, and faculty who ask the important questions and devise the scientific and technological innovations that make the world a better place for all of humanity. Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, Rensselaer is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, and one of the world’s fastest supercomputers. 

Rensselaer faculty and alumni include more than 145 National Academy members, six members of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, six National Medal of Technology winners, five National Medal of Science winners, three astronauts, and a Nobel Prize winner in Physics. With nearly 200 years of experience advancing scientific and technological knowledge, Rensselaer remains focused on addressing global challenges with a spirit of ingenuity and collaboration. To learn more, please visit www.rpi.edu.

Are you ready to change the world? Apply now!  https://careers.rpi.edu/en-us/job/493722/director-media-relations

Job Summary

The Director of Media Relations is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to raise awareness of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute among local, national and international media. The director of media relations also directs and leads all aspects of the university’s media relations program, supervises staff, provides strategic and sound media relations counsel to RPI leadership and thought leaders, cultivates strong relationships with members of the media, and serves as a University spokesperson. The director also manages crisis communications.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as journalism, communications, media relations, web-based communications or a science-related discipline
• Seven (7) years of professional experience as a news reporter, and/or public relations or communications professional.
  • Experience must include proactively pitching and placing stories with national and international news media
  • Supervisory experience required
  • Current understanding of higher education. Appreciation of and high degree of comfort level with STEM-related content
• Demonstrated experience and high degree of comfort as an Institute spokesperson.
• Demonstrated proactive and successful experience in reputation management.
• Proven ability to successfully work and lead in a fast-paced, results driven environment.
• Professional maturity and integrity, passion for higher ed and STEM, and a positive and upbeat attitude.

Applicants must meet stated minimum education and experience requirements.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must possess a passion for higher education and the intellectual ability to digest and create stories from complex STEM-related content.
• Ability to take on complex situations and the ability to envision, articulate, and realize process and program improvements.
• Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate and work effectively with a diverse group of constituents.
• Requires excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to serve as the Institute’s representative and spokesperson in a variety of venues.
• Ability to use independent judgment and to gather, manage and impart information to the media and various other internal and external audiences.
• Requires an ability to design, implement, and continuously improve programs and processes that achieve outcomes.
• Requires a commitment to developing department staff, collaborating with Institute partners, and serving external customers.

Shift

Business Hours with weekends or evenings occasionally required.

Travel

Occasional overnight travel may be required (10% or less).

Driving

Incidental driving possible, but not required.

Application instructions

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile. Please be ready to upload your resume and cover letter.

Please note, that your resume or cover-letter must include a link to a portfolio of your work, especially as related to this position.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact [email protected] 

Job Posted Date

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

COVID-19 Pandemic Protocols

Rensselaer requires all faculty and staff to be vaccinated (and boosted when eligible) against COVID-19. Requests for exemptions for medical or religious reasons will be evaluated on a case by case basis. For more information, please see Home Page | COVID-19 Policy (rpi.edu)

We welcome candidates who will bring diverse cultural, ethnic, national and international perspectives to Rensselaer’s work and campus communities.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity, Race/Gender/Veterans/Disability Employer.