Earned Media Lead, Higher Education

NC State University; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare benefits

Wellness & Recreation Membership

Wellness programs

Job summary

NC State University’s University Communications and Marketing seeks a Media Relations Manager to lead earned media, secure coverage of research and impact across NC and beyond—and to coach faculty and leaders for interviews.

You’ll build journalist relationships, respond to inquiries, monitor coverage, coordinate media visits, and collaborate with video, web, and social teams to amplify university stories. This role requires strategic communication skills and crisis messaging when needed.

Qualifications

• Post-baccalaureate degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field.
• Bachelor’s degree with equivalent broad-based independent experience in marketing or strategic communications.
• Minimum of five to seven years of progressive experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and pitch stories that showcase NC State’s research, teaching, service and broader impact.
• Collaborate with communications colleagues, faculty and university leaders to identify timely story opportunities tied to research, events, travel and major announcements.
• Build and maintain relationships with reporters, editors, producers and assignment editors.
• Monitor emerging news and connect journalists with NC State experts for breaking news coverage.
• Coordinate media visits, demonstrations and researcher interviews, including scheduling the UComm media studio.

Skills

Media relations

Story development

Crisis communications

Media training

Education

Post-baccalaureate degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field

Bachelor's degree with equivalent broad-based independent experience in marketing or strategic communications

Job description

NC State University’s University Communications and Marketing seeks a Media Relations Manager to lead earned media, secure coverage of research and impact across NC and beyond—and to coach faculty and leaders for interviews.

You’ll build journalist relationships, respond to inquiries, monitor coverage, coordinate media visits, and collaborate with video, web, and social teams to amplify university stories. This role requires strategic communication skills and crisis messaging when needed.