Director of Global Media Relations

Northeastern University•Boston, MA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Northeastern University is seeking a Director of Global Media Relations to lead press engagement strategies in domestic and global media markets. This role requires a skilled individual with extensive experience in managing media relations with top-tier news organizations, setting ambitious goals, and proactively engaging the press. The Director will manage the development of complex stories from concept to high-profile earned placements, demonstrating a commitment to Northeastern's brand and messaging. A strong understanding of global media markets, experience promoting knowledge brands (especially in the non-profit sector), and a proven track record in crisis communications are essential. The Director will oversee a team of media relations professionals, manage opportunities across Northeastern's global university system, and leverage AI-powered tools for media monitoring, insight generation, and data analytics to enhance the earned media strategy. This individual must be an excellent communicator, a versatile and creative thinker, a superb writer, and a skilled manager of people and projects, with a keen sense of newsworthiness and the ability to convey complex ideas to diverse audiences. The position is a key part of the External Affairs team, collaborating with senior leaders across the university. The role is based on the Boston campus and is fully in-person.

Requirements

Minimum of 6–8 years of experience in working with the press across top-tier publications, including those not based in the US.
Experience working in fast-paced and strategic communications operations that prioritizes earned press.
Experience in managing people in a fast-paced and goal-oriented organization.
Strong track record in working with reporters and managing complex stories that are on message and promote the organization through top-tier earned placements targeting key stakeholders.
Familiarity with AI-powered media monitoring, analytics, and content tools, and a demonstrated ability to integrate these into daily workflow to improve efficiency and outcomes.
Superb command of facts and data.
The ability to stay calm and focused in a crisis situation.
Exemplary work ethic and attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

Strong understanding of global media markets both within the US and abroad.
Experience in promoting knowledge brands, including but not limited to the non-profit sector.
Proven track record in successful crisis communications.
Familiarity with AI-powered tools—including media monitoring platforms, automated insight generation, and data analytics—to identify trends, surface story opportunities, and sharpen the university’s earned media strategy.
Great communicator.
Versatile, curious and creative thinker.
Superb and succinct writer.
Great manager of projects and people.
Voracious consumer of news.
Impeccable sense of what is newsworthy.
Energetic, positive attitude.

Responsibilities

Oversee the strategy and execution of successful press engagement across domestic and global media markets.
Manage media relations across top-tier news organizations.
Set ambitious and measurable goals with high expectations for press engagement.
Proactively engage members of the press and manage the development of complex stories from idea to high-profile earned placements.
Build and maintain relationships with the press.
Ensure accuracy and discipline in command of the facts.
Relentlessly pursue positive stories in top-tier publications.
Promote knowledge brands, including but not limited to the non-profit sector.
Manage crisis communications.
Oversee a team of talented media relations professionals.
Manage incoming and proactive opportunities in media markets around the world, particularly in strategic locations within Northeastern’s global university system.
Leverage AI-powered tools—including media monitoring platforms, automated insight generation, and data analytics—to identify trends, surface story opportunities, and sharpen the university’s earned media strategy.
Collaborate with colleagues across divisions and locations.
Communicate complex ideas to various audiences, particularly to members of the press and university leaders.