Director, Issues Management

Director, Issues Management

Job no: 530622

Work type: Officer of Administration

Location: Eugene, OR

Categories: Communications/Public Relations/Marketing, Executive/Management/Director

Department: University Communications
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing
Salary: Salary starts at $90,000; commensurate with experience
Compensation Band: OS-OA09-Fiscal Year 2022-2023
FTE: 1.0

Application Review Begins

Application review is ongoing, apply by January 30, 2023, to ensure consideration; position open until filled (updated)

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit the following with your online application:

• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and requirements outlined in the job announcement.
  
• A resume of your educational and professional work experience.
  
  Department Summary
  
  The department of University Communications (UC) is charged with telling the University of Oregon's (UO) stories to a broad range of audiences and helping position the university to succeed and thrive. The department utilizes and manages a comprehensive suite of communications tools, including public relations, branding, advertising, licensing, digital media, and more for the benefit of the university.
  
  Position Summary
  
  The Director of Issues Management (director) is a fast-paced, high-profile position that plays a key role in helping maintain the university's image and reputation. The director will help manage the external communications needs of the university and develop long-term strategic communications objectives. This position will also provide communications support and guidance to the Department of Safety and Risk Services (SRS) and serve as the primary public information officer for the UO Police Department (UOPD).
  
  This position combines an understanding of strategic communications, current affairs, working media, and brand journalism. The director may act as the primary spokesperson and media liaison during critical incidents, emergencies, and large-scale events. This work requires independent judgment and decision-making authority during stressful and highly visible situations.
  
  The director is responsible for providing briefings and information to the media, responding to media and student inquiries, and participating in UO's Incident Command System infrastructure for university emergency response.
  
  Reporting to the Senior Director of Media Relations and Issues Management (senior director), the director will develop, maintain and keep up to date, with the UO Crisis Communications manual, and develop materials to educate and inform campus stakeholders on safety, security, law enforcement, fire prevention, risk, and emergency management issues. These materials will be used in a variety of channels, including web, social media, mobile apps, print, e-mail, news media, and in-person.
  
  Flexibility, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within University Communications. Inclusion, collaboration and cultural sensitivity are valued competencies, and this position must effectively interact with a dynamic population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity.
  
  This position requires flexible hours that may include weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, and on-call responsibilities and to be able to respond to on-campus incidents within 20 minutes and be reachable at most hours of the day.
  
  Minimum Requirements
  
  
• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public relations, or a related field or an equivalent combination of skills, experience, and education.
  
• Two years of experience in crisis, risk or compliance communication, including experience serving as a public information officer.
  
• Two years of public relations/communications experience including the following:
  - Writing stories and press releases for publication.
  - Managing website content, including expertise in Drupal, WordPress or other content management systems.
  - Using and monitoring social media in a professional capacity.
  - Writing, editing, and communicating verbally in a professional setting.
  
  Professional Competencies
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to assimilate complicated information and speak, write, and edit for a variety of audiences, media, and contexts.
  
• Demonstrated ability to work in a complex organization and work effectively with a wide variety of people across multiple units and agencies.
  
• Ability to analyze complex materials and translate them to a variety of audiences with accuracy.
  
• Ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy, and the ability to manage confidential or sensitive information and issues responsibly.
  
• Proven ability to work with confidential and potentially sensitive information effectively, continuously, and discretely.
  
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with individuals and teams from diverse backgrounds and differing perspectives.
  
• Commitment to and experience with promoting and enhancing diversity and equity, and equity and working with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
  
• Flexibility to shift directions quickly when priorities change, recommend creative solutions to problems, and deliver against tight deadlines.
  
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor during stressful and highly visible situations.
  
  Preferred Qualifications
  
  
• Experience working in or serving professional news media.
  
• Experience working in a larger (20,000 + student population) public university environment.
  
• Incident Command System certification ICS-100, 200, 300, and 400.
  
  FLSA Exempt: Yes
  
  All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background inquiry.
  
  University of Oregon students and employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. For additional information see: https://hr.uoregon.edu/uo-covid-19-vaccination-requirement-employee-process.
  
  The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit http://hr.uoregon.edu/careers/about-benefits.
  
  The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply, and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.
  
  UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, or to the Office for Civil Rights. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed on the statement of non-discrimination.
  
  In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report.
  
  
  
  To apply, visit https://careers.uoregon.edu/en-us/job/530622/director-issues-management
  
  
  
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