Berklee College of Music
Job Description:Berklee is seeking a savvy, data-informed, and well-connected **Senior Director of Media Strategy** to strengthen and safeguard the institution’s reputation. If you are a strategic storyteller with deep media roots and a passion for arts and higher education, this is a powerful opportunity to influence the global narrative of the world’s leading performing arts institution. **At Berklee, your work directly supports the next generation of creative leaders.****About the Role & Responsibilities**Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Communications, this leader serves as a trusted advisor to senior leadership. You will design and run our global media strategy, managing everything from high-level brand positioning to real-time crisis response. This is a hybrid role (three days on-site in Boston) that requires a calm-under-pressure mindset and the ability to handle sensitive information with total discretion.**Key Responsibilities:*** **Strategy & Planning:** Develop annual and quarterly media plans that advance Berklee’s priorities across Boston, national, and global outlets.* **Storytelling:** Identify and pitch high-impact stories featuring Berklee’s faculty, students, and alumni to influential voices in arts and culture.* **Reputation Management:** Lead cross-functional crisis and rapid-response workflows, drafting statements, FAQs, and internal guidance.* **Spokesperson & Training:** Serve as an on-the-record spokesperson and provide media training and message discipline to deans and executives.* **Content Creation:** Write and edit press releases, op-eds, and statements with speed and precision, ensuring brand consistency.* **Measurement:** Define and report on KPIs (sentiment, reach, and share of voice), translating data into actionable recommendations.* **On-Site Coordination:** Oversee media relations for major campus events, managing pooled coverage and asset approvals.**What You'll Bring**We are looking for a strategist who isn't afraid to roll up their sleeves and dive into the tactical work of pitching and drafting.**Key Requirements:*** Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field.* **7–10+ years of experience** in media relations and issues management (higher-ed or arts/culture preferred).* **Current, proven relationships** with Boston-area journalists and a track record of securing national/global coverage.* Expertise in leading **cross-functional crisis response** and navigating high-risk situations.* Exceptional writing and editing skills under tight deadlines.* Fluency with media monitoring tools (like Cision or Mention) and social listening platforms.* Availability for an on-call rotation for rapid response outside of standard business hours.**Berklee Culture & Benefits**Berklee’s mission is to **educate, train, and develop the world's most inspired and innovative artists**. You'll be part of a passionate, diverse, and global community dedicated to this vision.**Here, you’ll find:*** A **mission-driven culture** where your ideas matter and your impact is visible.* A **diverse and inclusive community** committed to **lifelong learning and collaboration**.* Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and **paid holidays, including a winter break**, to support **work-life balance**.* Comprehensive health, dental, and life insurance plans.* **Tuition benefits** for you and your family, including free or discounted courses.* Retirement planning with a **403(b) plan and matching contributions**.* Access to **unforgettable performances, guest artists, and events**.Join us in shaping the global voice of music and performance education!Hiring Range: **$130,000** to **$154,000**; salary dependent on relevant experience and education.Please visit the
page to learn more about the benefits of working at Berklee.This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity at Berklee: We support an inclusive workplace where everyone excels based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance.
Berklee affirms that inequality is detrimental to our faculty, staff, students, and the communities we serve. Our goal is to make lasting change through our actions. Berklee is committed to providing fair and equitable consideration of all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, place of birth, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, or status as a member of the armed forces or veteran of the armed forces, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.As part of this commitment, Berklee will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Human Resources Team at hroperations@Berklee.edu or call 617-747-2375.\*Currently enrolled Berklee students are not permitted to apply for staff or faculty positions.\*## **Employee Type:**Staff### Shape the future of arts education!As the premier destination for the study of contemporary music and the performing arts, Berklee stands as the culmination of two pioneering institutions—Boston Conservatory and Berklee College of Music—each recognized for its global reach and cultural impact.Berklee is a place where artists come together to innovate, and where artistic and cultural diversity is embraced and celebrated. We strive to reflect these values in our inclusive hiring practices, creating a welcoming and equitable process that embraces diverse perspectives and fosters equity and opportunity for all.Guided by our , our
define Berklee’s core purpose and help us envision the positive influence we can have on each other, our students, our communities, and the broader world.Berklee is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits program to help our employees achieve their personal, professional, and financial goals. . #J-18808-Ljbffr
page to learn more about the benefits of working at Berklee.This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity at Berklee: We support an inclusive workplace where everyone excels based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance.
Berklee affirms that inequality is detrimental to our faculty, staff, students, and the communities we serve. Our goal is to make lasting change through our actions. Berklee is committed to providing fair and equitable consideration of all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, place of birth, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, or status as a member of the armed forces or veteran of the armed forces, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.As part of this commitment, Berklee will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Human Resources Team at hroperations@Berklee.edu or call 617-747-2375.\*Currently enrolled Berklee students are not permitted to apply for staff or faculty positions.\*## **Employee Type:**Staff### Shape the future of arts education!As the premier destination for the study of contemporary music and the performing arts, Berklee stands as the culmination of two pioneering institutions—Boston Conservatory and Berklee College of Music—each recognized for its global reach and cultural impact.Berklee is a place where artists come together to innovate, and where artistic and cultural diversity is embraced and celebrated. We strive to reflect these values in our inclusive hiring practices, creating a welcoming and equitable process that embraces diverse perspectives and fosters equity and opportunity for all.Guided by our , our
define Berklee’s core purpose and help us envision the positive influence we can have on each other, our students, our communities, and the broader world.Berklee is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits program to help our employees achieve their personal, professional, and financial goals. . #J-18808-Ljbffr