Media Relations Coordinator

RiseMe; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free Tuition

Generous paid leave

Wellness initiatives

100% Employer-Funded Health Reimbursem

Job summary

The University of Tampa seeks a Media Relations Coordinator to manage day-to-day media inquiries, connecting reporters with faculty experts and helping position UTampa programs as authoritative sources on public interest.

You will collaborate with the external PR agency and Marketing & Communications colleagues to advance institutional priorities, prepare spokespeople, draft press materials, and monitor media coverage for the Tampa Bay region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor1 degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing or related field.
• 31 years of professional experience in media relations or related field.
• Proven experience responding to media inquiries.
• Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to translate complex information into accessible narratives.
• Experience creating media pitches and press releases.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Professionalism and discretion with sensitive information.
• Ability to build productive relationships with faculty, staff, journalists and partners.

Responsibilities

• Serve as day-to-day journalist contact and connect reporters with experts.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local, regional and national media.
• Identify and pitch stories showcasing faculty expertise and programs.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to create media commentary opportunities.
• Monitor news cycles to identify timely opportunities for experts to contribute.
• Prepare stakeholders for media interviews with key messages and guidance.
• Draft and edit pitches, advisories, press releases, statements and talking points.
• Coordinate with external public relations agency under director guidance.
• Track earned media activity and report outcomes.
• Monitor media coverage of the University and Tampa region.
• Support communications on emerging issues with senior leadership.
• Assist with major announcements and public relations initiatives.
• Collaborate to extend earned media across channels.
• Maintain media lists and expert information.

Skills

Media relations

News writing

Verbal communication

Story development

Relationship building

Editing

Organization

Discretion

Education

Bachelor1 degree in communications or related field

Tools

Media monitoring tools

Media databases

PR software

Job description

Position Details

The Media Relations Coordinator supports the University of Tampa’s external visibility and reputation by serving as the day-to-day point of contact for media relations. The coordinator works proactively and responsively with journalists, faculty, staff and University leaders to identify and develop media opportunities, connect reporters with University experts, and help position UTampa faculty and programs as authoritative sources on issues of public interest.

Reporting to the Director of Institutional Marketing and Content Strategy, the coordinator also works closely with the University’s external public relations agency and colleagues across Marketing and Communications to advance institutional priorities, faculty thought leadership and the University’s broader reputation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary day-to-day contact for journalists and media inquiries, coordinating timely responses and connecting reporters with appropriate University experts and spokespeople.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with local, regional and national journalists, editors, producers and other media contacts.
• Proactively identify, develop and pitch stories that showcase UTampa faculty expertise, academic programs, research, student experiences and institutional priorities.
• Work directly with faculty and staff to identify areas of expertise and develop opportunities for media commentary, interviews, contributed content and thought leadership.
• Monitor news cycles and emerging issues to identify timely opportunities for University experts to contribute perspective and analysis.
• Prepare faculty, staff and University leaders for media interviews, including background information, key messages, anticipated questions and interview guidance.
• Draft and edit media materials including pitches, media advisories, press releases, statements, talking points, briefing materials and other external communications.
• Coordinate the day-to-day relationship with the University’s external public relations agency, including sharing priorities, identifying opportunities, facilitating access to faculty and institutional experts, and supporting execution of media initiatives. Strategic direction, priorities and agency accountability remain with the director.
• Track earned media activity, placements, journalist engagement and other media relations outcomes and contribute to regular reporting and analysis.
• Monitor media coverage involving the University, its leadership, faculty, programs and issues affecting higher education and the Tampa Bay region.
• Support communications related to emerging or sensitive issues by gathering information, coordinating media inquiries and assisting with messaging and response materials under the direction of senior leadership.
• Support major institutional announcements, awards, recognitions and other select public relations initiatives that strengthen University visibility and reputation.
• Collaborate with writers, content strategists, social media, creative and digital colleagues to extend earned media opportunities across University-owned channels when appropriate.
• Maintain media lists, faculty expert information and other media relations resources.
• Perform other duties related to media relations, reputation and external communications as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing or a related field.
• Three to five years of professional experience in media relations, public relations, journalism, communications or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience working with journalists and responding to media inquiries.
• Strong writing, editing and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to identify compelling stories and translate complex or specialized information into clear, accessible narratives.
• Experience developing media pitches, press releases, briefing materials or similar communications.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-moving environment.
• Sound judgment, professionalism and discretion when working with sensitive or time-sensitive information.
• Ability to build productive relationships with faculty, staff, journalists and external partners.

Preferred

• Experience in higher education, a complex organization, agency public relations, journalism or a related environment.
• Experience supporting faculty experts, executives or other subject-matter experts in media interviews.
• Familiarity with media monitoring, media databases and earned media measurement tools.
• Experience supporting thought leadership or proactive reputation-building campaigns.

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Summer: Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The University of Tampa offers great benefits, including:

• Free Tuition
• Generous paid leave
• Wellness initiatives
• 100% Employer-Funded Health Reimbursement Account
• 100% Employer-Paid Short & Long Term Disability Insurance
• 100% Employer-Funded Employee Assistance Program
• Discounted On-Campus Dining Meal Plans
• Free On-Campus Parking
• Access to Campus Amenities (pool, library, campus events, and more)
• Fitness Center
• Pet Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• And more

Background Check Requirements

Finalists may be required to submit to a criminal background check. Some positions may also require a motor vehicle report and/or a credit report.

Additional Information

This description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not to determine specific duties and responsibilities for any particular position. Essential functions and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific task assigned to the position.