Assistant Director of Public and Media Relations (Higher Education / Communications)

Mediabistro; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition waiver eligibility

Full benefits package

Job summary

Mediabistro seeks an Assistant Director of Public and Media Relations to lead proactive media strategies and tell the university’s story. You will craft news releases, features, and advisories while building strong media relationships across local, regional, state, and national outlets.

You’ll monitor coverage, support crisis communications, and collaborate with campus partners to boost visibility and reputation locally and beyond. Evening/weekend hours may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, English, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in media relations or related communications field.
• Excellent writing, editing, interviewing, and networking skills.
• Knowledge of public relations and strategic communication principles and best practices.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate as a strong team member.
• High degree of creativity, initiative, and integrity.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.
• Willingness to stay current with emerging trends in media relations.

Responsibilities

• Writing and producing news releases, feature stories, articles, media advisories, and other materials.
• Proactively developing and maintaining relationships with local and national media.
• Staying current on university events to identify media opportunities.
• Developing and implementing a comprehensive media relations plan at local, regional, state, and national levels.
• Managing the news section of the university website.
• Organizing press conferences, media tours, interviews, and promotional events.
• Serving as a key media relations contact and providing crisis and emergency communications support.
• Collaborating with university offices to advance the institutional brand.
• Monitoring media presence across traditional, online, and social outlets using tracking tools (e.g., Cision).
• Creating and publishing student achievement content on the university website.
• Providing communication support for administrators, faculty, staff, and students.
• Tracking current events and higher education issues to identify media placement opportunities.

Skills

Writing

Editing

Media relations

Crisis communications

Networking

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications/journalism/PR/English

Tools

Cision

Job description

A private university is hiring an Assistant Director of Public and Media Relations to serve as the institution’s chief information source and primary storyteller. The role is responsible for planning, executing, and continuously improving a proactive, outcomes-driven media and public relations strategy that raises the university’s visibility and reputation at the local, regional, state, and national levels.

The assistant director will produce news releases, feature stories, articles, and other written materials while building and maintaining relationships with media outlets to secure high-quality coverage. The position also involves crisis and emergency communications support, collaboration across campus departments, and monitoring of media presence through tracking tools. The role’s scope extends across both the university and the surrounding community, and the schedule includes occasional evenings and weekends.

What the Role Covers

• Writing and producing news releases, feature stories, articles, media advisories, and other media relations materials
• Proactively developing and maintaining relationships with local and national media to secure coverage
• Staying current on university events and activities to identify and pursue media opportunities
• Developing and implementing a comprehensive media relations plan at local, regional, state, and national levels
• Managing the news section of the university website
• Organizing press conferences, media tours, interviews, and other promotional events
• Serving as a key media relations contact and providing communication support during crisis and emergency events
• Collaborating with university offices to develop media strategies that advance the institutional brand
• Monitoring media presence across traditional, online, and social outlets using Cision
• Creating and publishing student achievement content on the university website
• Providing communication support for administrators, faculty, staff, and students
• Tracking current events and higher education issues to identify media placement opportunities

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, English, or a related field
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in media relations or a related communications field
• Excellent writing, editing, interviewing, and networking skills
• Knowledge of public relations and strategic communication principles and best practices
• Ability to work independently and collaborate as a strong team member
• High degree of creativity, initiative, and integrity
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines
• Willingness to stay current with emerging trends in media relations

Compensation and Benefits

• Full benefit package including eligibility for tuition waiver