Communications and Media Relations Coordinator

Oklahoma-State-University; Stillwater (OK); On-site; USD 54,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

OSU-Stillwater, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, seeks a Communications and Media Relations Coordinator to support earned media, strategic communications and brand management efforts. The role focuses on media monitoring, writing, editing and content development to advance OSU’s reputation and visibility across university priorities.

The position collaborates with Brand Management, campus partners and leadership to craft compelling stories, manage crisis communications, and deliver timely messaging

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree conferred on or before start date.
• Three years of related professional experience in media relations, journalism, public relations or strategic communications.
• Experience writing, editing and coordinating compelling communications for an organization, media outlet or publication.

Responsibilities

• Supporting earned media strategy execution through media monitoring, distribution, research, pitching and outreach.
• Supporting communications planning tied to the university’s strategic priorities.
• Monitoring media coverage and tracking trends to elevate university expertise and achievements.
• Writing and editing news releases, feature stories, talking points, leadership messaging and web content in AP style.
• Coordinating inter-departmental content development and execution.
• Assisting with crisis communications, reputation management and rapid-response messaging.
• Completing special projects and contributing communications expertise to university initiatives.

Skills

Strong writing and editing skills

Public relations skills

Project coordination

Media relations knowledge

AP style knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism, communications, PR, public affairs, political science, marketing, creative writing or related

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Campus

OSU-Stillwater

Contact Name & Email

Mack Burke, [e-mail]

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with occasional evenings and weekends.

Appointment Length

Regular Continuous/Until Further Notice

Hiring Range

$54,000 - $73,000

Salary

About this Position

The Communications and Media Relations Coordinator supports the execution of Oklahoma State University’s earned media and strategic communications efforts through media relations coordination, media monitoring, writing, editing and content development. Working within the Department of Brand Management, this position helps advance the university’s reputation and visibility through proactive storytelling, strategic messaging and coordinated communications support.

This role is responsible for monitoring news coverage and emerging issues, assisting with media pitching, media distribution and outreach, writing and editing news releases and occasional feature stories, coordinating content development to support the execution of OSU’s brand strategy and institutional priorities. The position also assists with crisis communications, leadership messaging and reputation management.

The Communications and Media Relations Coordinator collaborates closely with Brand Management colleagues, university communicators and campus partners to identify and promote compelling stories that advance OSU’s strategic communications goals.
The successful candidate should demonstrate strong editing and writing skills, sound news judgment, attention to detail, creativity, initiative and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a positive, collaborative and solution-oriented working environment.

Key Duties Include:

• Supporting earned media strategy execution through media monitoring, media distribution, research, pitching and outreach.

• Supporting communications planning tied to the university’s strategic priorities.

• Monitoring media coverage, tracking trends and identifying opportunities to elevate university expertise and achievements.

• Writing and editing news releases, feature stories, talking points, leadership messaging, web content and other strategic communications materials in AP style.

• Coordinating inter-departmental content development and execution

• Assisting with crisis communications, reputation management and rapid-response messaging efforts as needed.

• Completing special projects and contributing communications expertise to university-wide initiatives as assigned.

About our team: The Department of Brand Management oversees all representations of the Oklahoma State University brand. Our areas of expertise include media relations, crisis communications, internal/external messaging, branding, advertising, recruitment communications, visual media, digital strategy and more. This department aims to advance OSU’s land‑grant mission and demonstrate its global impact through creative communications that support student success, elevate brand reputation, engage the Cowboy family, and serve the state of Oklahoma and beyond.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's

  Journalism, communications, PR, public affairs, political science, marketing, creative writing or related.

  (degree must be conferred on or before agreed upon start date)

• Three years of related professional experience in media relations, journalism, public relations, strategic communications or content development. Demonstrated experience writing, editing and coordinating compelling communications on behalf of an organization, media outlet or publication.

  Additional post-secondary education beyond requirements may substitute for years of required experience.

Skills, Proficiencies, and/or Knowledge:

• Must demonstrate strong writing, editing and public relations skills, such as experience developing press releases, feature stories, media materials, web content, internal communications and media pitches

• Must possess strong organizational and project coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple assignments, deadlines and stakeholder relationships in a fast‑paced environment.

• Must demonstrate knowledge of media relations principles, earned media strategy, media monitoring practices, media distribution and reputation management communications.

• Must have the ability to collaborate effectively with university leadership, campus communicators, Brand Management colleagues and external stakeholders to support coordinated communications efforts.

• Must demonstrate sound news judgment, attention to detail, creativity, initiative and the ability to analyze complex information to develop clear and effective messaging.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's

  Journalism, communications, PR, public affairs, political science, marketing, creative writing or related.

• Five or more years of experience. Demonstrated experience in writing in AP style.

  Experience with media pitching, media monitoring and earned media strategy support preferred.