The University has identified one or more qualified candidates for potential appointment to this position. This posting is being provided in accordance with Colorado law and University procedures to provide notice of the opportunity.

The University Relations division at the University of Denver speaks with a unified, authentic and resonant voice to strategically advance the university's brand with four goals in mind:

- To promote and protect DUs reputation
- To inspire students to enroll and engage
- To increase inclusion
- To strengthen the University

The University Relations (UR) team aims to strengthen DUs strategic position locally, regionally and nationally through data-driven and authentic storytelling across multiple channels with focused support on the university's value drivers: academics and research; enrollment and admissions, athletics and advancement. Whether through public or media relations, marketing, digital strategies, social media, print, podcast, issues or crisis management, community relations or thought leadership and training, UR drives results through narratives that involve words, pictures and design. With true understanding of and connection with our diverse audiences, we aim to foster collaborative problem solving, creativity and innovation. Position Summary The Director of Public Relations leads the university’s integrated approach to media relations, issues management, and reputational strategy. Reporting to the AVC for Communications & Issues Management, this role is responsible for shaping and executing both proactive and reactive communications that influence how key audiences perceive the University of Denver.

This position oversees earned media strategy, guides institutional response to emerging issues, and coordinates crisis communications efforts in close partnership with university leadership. The Director serves as a central connector across communications, government relations, and campus partners to ensure alignment, consistency, and speed in all external-facing messaging.

Essential Functions

Public Relations & Issues Strategy

- Lead development and execution of integrated public relations strategies spanning media relations, issues management, and crisis communications
- Shape messaging and positioning for emerging issues, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and reputational goals
- Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on media visibility, risk, and external perception
- Identify and assess emerging issues with potential reputational impact and recommend response strategies
- Oversee coordination of holding statements, media responses, and leadership messaging during sensitive or high-profile situations
- Maintain awareness of national and local trends impacting higher education and DU’s reputation

Media Relations Leadership
- Oversee proactive earned media strategy, including thought leadership placement and storytelling
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with key national and local media
- Guide development of pitches, op-eds, and media opportunities for university leaders
- Ensure consistent, high-quality media engagement aligned with brand positioning





Crisis Communications & Team Leadership
- Serve as a senior member of the crisis communications team and participate in on-call rotation
- Lead coordination of communications during incidents, ensuring timely, accurate, and aligned messaging
- Provide coaching and direction to team members supporting media and issues response
- Manage external PR agencies and partners, including performance and deliverables

Operations, Reporting & Campus Support
- Provide reporting and analysis on media coverage, issues trends, and reputational impact
- Partner with Government Relations and Community Affairs to align messaging and stakeholder engagement
- Support development of communications frameworks and protocols for issues management

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

- Flexibility and sense of urgency within high-pressure and rapidly evolving situations.
- Commitment to inclusion; collaboration, cultural sensitivity, and a passion for equitable strategic practices are critical.
- High level of integrity, trustworthiness, and respect.
- Experience handling and communicating sensitive issues.
- Understanding of media news cycles and best practices for cultivating solid relationships with local and national media.
- Team player, willing to pitch in on tasks that may be outside of usual responsibilities.
- Ability to recognize opportunities to leverage trending stories to promote the brand.
- Ability to practice strategic thinking and brainstorming, turning plans into concrete action.
- Excellent writing skills and abilities with the keen ability to coach others in their writing.
- Successful track record of pitching and placing stories to media.
- Strong collaborative and cross-functional skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work on several projects at once in a fast paced, deadline driven environment.
- Experience with planning and hosting media events.
- Proficiency in AP style with adaptability to the DU style guide.

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree.
- At least 7 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in media relations, which includes three (3) years of supervisory experience.
- Journalism experience.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience in a higher education setting or other complex organization.
- Experience partnering with agencies.

Working Environment

- Standard office environment.
- Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
- Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

- Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
- Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.

Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Application Deadline For consideration, please submit your application materials by 9:00 a.m. (MST) August 18, 2026.





Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:

The salary grade for the position is 15.

Salary Range:

The salary range for this position is $120,000-$140,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:

The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:

- Resume
- Cover Letter The University of Denver is an equal prospect employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are based upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history and National Sex Offender Registry background check.

📌 Director, Public Relations (Quinte West)
🏢 University of Denver
📍 Quinte West