Job Description

Reporting to the Senior Director of Communications, the Director of Earned Media and External Communications advances Ithaca College’s reputation through proactive, opportunity-driven storytelling across traditional, digital, and emerging media channels. This role focuses primarily on identifying and cultivating opportunities to share the college’s stories, expertise, and impact, while providing secondary support to the Senior Director of Communications on crisis communications, internal communications, and risk management.

Serving as the first point of contact for media inquiries, the Director builds and sustains relationships with journalists, content creators, influencers, podcasters, and emerging media platforms. The role requires strong editorial judgment, exceptional attention to detail, and fluency across today’s evolving media ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

• Proactively identify and pursue opportunities to advance Ithaca College’s reputation through strategic storytelling across traditional, digital, and emerging media channels.
  
• Serve as the primary point of contact for incoming media inquiries, exercising strong judgment, responsiveness, and attention to detail.
  
• Develop and maintain relationships with journalists, editors, producers, content creators, influencers, podcasters, and emerging media voices.
  
• Pitch stories and expertise to both established outlets and nontraditional platforms, including creator-led and audience-driven channels.
  
• Identify and elevate faculty, students, alumni, and institutional leaders as compelling sources and storytellers.
  
• Monitor media coverage and online discourse across platforms, including social media and emerging communities, to assess reputation, surface opportunities, and flag risks.
  
• Collaborate closely with colleagues across the Marketing Communications division to align narratives, timing, and distribution strategies.
  
• Draft, edit, and oversee high-quality written materials, including media pitches, statements, backgrounders, and briefing materials, with exceptional attention to detail.
  
• Support the Senior Director of Communications on crisis communications and issues management as needed, including drafting materials and providing backup support.
  
• Support campus safety and emergency communications as part of the College Emergency Response Team (CERT), working in close coordination with the Senior Director of Communications, the Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management, and institutional leadership.
  
• Provide support to the Senior Director of Communications during incidents or situations requiring heightened coordination, judgment, and discretion, assisting with drafting, review, and dissemination of communications as needed.
  
• Collaborate with the Marketing Communications team to shape and disseminate content for internal communications channels, reinforcing alignment between external storytelling, institutional messaging, and campus audiences.
  
• Support Senior Director of Communications for institutional leadership communications, including messaging related to the President, Executive Council, and Board of Trustees.
  
• Reinforce strong copyediting and fact-checking practices across the communications team, contributing to a culture of accuracy, precision, and credibility in high-visibility and high-stakes communications.
  
• Stay current on changes in the media landscape, platform behavior, and audience dynamics, bringing insight and experimentation to the work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 2-3 years professional experience, or the equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to shape clear, compelling narratives for different audiences and platforms.
  
• Exceptional attention to detail, paired with sound editorial judgment and accuracy.
  
• Creative problem-solving and original thinking, including the ability to see opportunity beyond the literal or obvious and translate it into effective communication.
  
• Demonstrated success advancing a brand, organization, or individual’s reputation through storytelling, media engagement, or audience-driven platforms.
  
• Experience shaping narratives on social media, particularly through platforms such as TikTok or through work with influencers, creators, or nontraditional media outlets.
  
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to build trust and credibility with journalists, creators, faculty, administrators, and external partners.
  
• A collaborative mindset and a passion for working within a mission-driven, higher educational environment.

This position is 37.5 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants must apply online and attach a resume, cover letter, and list of three professional references. Questions about online applications should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at (607) 274-8000 or humanresources@ithaca.edu.

Ithaca College is committed to building a diverse academic community and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply. Experience that contributes to the diversity of the college is appreciated.

Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.

Hiring Range:

$80,000-$85,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

We pride ourselves on providing our benefit-eligible employees with comprehensive benefits, including:

• Healthcare including vision and dental

• Generous Paid Time Off Policies

• 403B Retirement Savings Plan with Matching Employer Contribution

• EAP

• Flexible Work Plans

• Educational Benefits

• Career-Enhancing Trainings

• For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit https://www.ithaca.edu/human-resources/employee-benefits-wellness

In an effort to promote campus safety and the security of College resources, Ithaca College will, consistent with the requirements of the law and prudent practices, conduct criminal background investigations per College policy. This position is subject to a criminal background check. All offers of employment are contingent upon review of the criminal background check.

At Ithaca College, a comprehensive residential campus community of approximately 5,000 students, we strive to be at the forefront of the higher education landscape. We offer a distinct integrative learning experience that makes students ready for the personal, professional, and global challenges of our age.

We seek candidates who embrace integrative learning and want to be a part of this exciting time in Ithaca College history. We encourage creative collaboration and innovation in our faculty and staff, providing support and resources for them to grow in their fields and lead students to their own innovative ideas and achievements.

We welcome different ways of thinking and look for candidates with unique points of view and life experiences. We are inclusive of individuals with a wide range of cultural, personal, and professional backgrounds, talents, and skills. Our campus is a vibrant and rewarding community where diverse minds can learn, succeed, and excel.

When reviewing candidates, we are looking for indicators of a number of core competencies. Prospective candidates must be adaptable, collaborative, inclusive, respectful, responsive, results driven, and sustainable. They must communicate effectively, demonstrate leadership, exhibit professional integrity and ethics, take initiative, value personal and professional development, and show that they will engage in the college.

Nestled in the heart of New York State’s scenic Finger Lakes region, Ithaca College sits atop South Hill overlooking picturesque Cayuga Lake and is just minutes away from the city center. Combining small town warmth and charm with the vibrancy of a college community, the thriving and culturally diverse city of Ithaca has been rated by Kiplinger’s as one of the top 10 places to live in the United States.

To learn more about Ithaca College, visit us at http://ithaca.edu