Assistant Director of Media Relations

Virginia Tech; Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech is seeking an Assistant Director of Media Relations to implement the university's central media relations strategy and elevate leadership, faculty expertise, research, and student achievements. The role reports to the Associate Director and collaborates with the Media Relations team and campus partners to secure national, international, trade, and high-impact regional coverage.

The successful candidate will interview faculty, write and edit materials, build media lists, pitches,

Qualifications

• Professional experience in media relations or journalism.
• Knowledge of media trends.
• Familiarity with media and target audience performance metrics.
• Excellence in writing and editing.
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities.
• Proven ability to foster collaborative relationships with the news media and university community.

Responsibilities

• Implement the university's central media relations strategy.
• Develop regional media strategy and pitch stories to national outlets.
• Interview faculty, write tips sheets, news releases and advisories.
• Create targeted media lists and schedule interviews.
• Coordinate messaging and training across Virginia Tech campuses.
• Assist with media events, crisis communications, and messaging governance.

Skills

Media relations experience

Writing & editing

Deadlines & prioritization

Relationships with news media

Metrics familiarity

Education

Master's degree or Bachelor's with equivalent experience

Tools

Technology & social platforms

Job description

Job Description

The Assistant Director of Media Relations works to implement the university's central media relations strategy, with a focus on elevating Virginia Tech’s leadership, faculty expertise, research discoveries, and student achievements. The Assistant Director reports to the Associate Director of Media Relations and collaborates with other members of the Media Relations team and colleagues across the university to find and facilitate national, international, trade, and high-impact regional and local media opportunities. The Assistant Director is responsible for developing and implementing the regional media strategy. He/she regularly interviews faculty members; writes and edits tip sheets, news releases, and advisories; develops targeted media lists, pitches stories, and schedules interviews. He/she works across all of Virginia Tech’s campuses to engage in message preparation and training for faculty and leadership, and to facilitate the needs of visiting media on campus. The Assistant Director works with campus marketing and communications professionals to build media amplification plans and help them achieve media relations goals. He/she will work with the Associate Director of Media Relations and the central metrics team to assess and show the impact of media efforts. The Assistant Director also assists with managing news conferences, editorial meetings, and other media events and opportunities as needed. He/she may be requested by the Associate Director of Media Relations to represent Media Relations interests in strategic messaging and crisis communications meetings. The Assistant Director maintains a flexible work schedule, responsive to the needs of media outlets and broadcast schedules. Occasional night and weekend assignments are likely. Occasional travel may be required for media training, news events, and other opportunities.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in a job-related field; or Bachelor's degree with professional experience equating to an advanced degree.
• Professional experience working in media relations or journalism.
• Knowledge of media and media trends.
• Familiarity with media and target audience performance metrics.
• Demonstrated excellence in writing and editing.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities.
• Proven ability to foster and maintain effective, collaborative relationships with the news media and university community.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working in a print, online, or broadcast newsroom.
• Prior experience working in higher education marketing or communications.
• Knowledge of AP Style.
• Experience handling sensitive and confidential information with appropriate discretion.
• Proficient in technology, social media platforms, and current industry digital applications and platforms.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$62,000 - $72,000

Hours per week

40+

Review Date

September 30th, 2026

Additional Information

• Uncommon Work Schedule - (Rotating Shifts, Weekend, Nights)
• Occasional regional and/or national travel required for news events, interviews and conferences, which may include overnights and weekends.
• Ability to work occasional nights and weekends, responding to news and media requests for interviews, and/or participation in college or university programs.
• The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Advancement HR at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.