Serve as a central resource for issues management support to schools, colleges, and units across the university; Support the development and execution of coordinated, system wide issues management strategies and response plans; Provide guidance, tools, and best practices to school level communications and leadership teams to support consistent issue assessment and response; Monitor and analyze emerging issues, trends, and risks affecting higher education, including public policy, regulatory developments, campus climate concerns, media coverage, and public sentiment; Conduct research and prepare issue briefs, talking points, FAQs, background materials, and risk assessments for senior leadership; Assist in coordinating cross-functional responses to sensitive or high-profile issues, including those involving students, faculty, staff, governance, or external stakeholders; Track and analyze media coverage, social media, and stakeholder activity related to priority institutional issues; Support crisis preparedness and response efforts, including scenario planning, message development, and coordination with campus partners; Collaborate with central and unit-level communications teams to ensure consistent messaging and alignment; Liaise with government relations, legal counsel, student affairs, and other offices to support informed issue response; Maintain issue and media tracking and documentation to support ongoing monitoring and reporting; Evaluate the effectiveness of issues management strategies and recommend improvements; Support general media relations work in support of the university's strategic priorities. Strategic and critical thinking; Clear, concise written and verbal communication on tight deadlines; Excellent interpersonal communication, a collaborative spirit and relationship management; Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple demands proactively in a dynamic environment; Strong news judgment and discretion on sensitive issues; Prior experience working with agency partners.