Media Relations Manager

Adler University; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Adler University in Chicago, IL seeks a Media Relations Manager to tell Adler’s story through proactive public relations, earned media, and thought leadership. You will work with internal and external stakeholders to advance enrollment, fundraising, and awareness goals.

The role partners with the President and senior leadership to shape external communications, provide strategic counsel, and analyze performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in English, journalism, communications, marketing, or a related discipline is required.
• Minimum ten (10) years of experience in media relations and content development is required.
• Minimum five (5) years of Public Relations experience in higher education, at a non-profit or marketing and communications agency, is required.
• Demonstrated success developing and implementing media relations strategies with secured placements.
• Established contacts and ability to cultivate new media relationships.
• Worked cross-functionally within an organization to develop and implement high-impact public relations strategies.

Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities to elevate Adler's public reputation through earned media and thought leadership.
• Develop and execute media distribution strategies with the Communications & Marketing team.
• Partner with the President and senior leadership to advance strategic priorities through external communications.
• Establish processes and build media relationships to support evolving function.
• Develop thought leadership opportunities and prepare spokespeople for media engagements.
• Collaborate with reporters and influencers across US and Canada to extend reach.

Skills

Media relations

Public relations

Written communication

Relationship building

Strategic counsel

Editorial calendar

Content development

Media analytics

Cross-functional collaboration

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in English, journalism, communications, marketing, or related discipline

Ten years of experience in media relations

Five years in Public Relations in higher education / non-profit or agency

Tools

MS Office

Job description

The Media Relations Manager will work with internal and external stakeholders to identify opportunities to elevate the University’s public reputation through proactive public relations initiatives, earned media, and thought leadership. This position will be responsible for telling Adler’s story in support of the University’s enrollment, fundraising, and awareness goals by engaging with American and Canadian local, regional, and national media, as well as other key influencers. The Manager will partner with members of the Communications & Marketing team to develop and execute media distribution strategies and leverage content from Adler’s owned channels.

The Media Relations Manager will also work closely with the President and senior leadership to support the President’s strategic priorities and identify opportunities to advance those priorities through external communications, media relations, and thought leadership. The Manager will provide strategic counsel, performance analysis, and recommendations informed by industry knowledge, media trends, and best practices.

This position will initially serve as an individual contributor and will play a key role in rebuilding and strengthening Adler’s media relations function. The Manager will establish effective processes, develop and maintain media relationships, create a proactive media relations strategy, and build the systems and practices needed to support the function as it evolves.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in English, journalism, communications, marketing, or a related discipline from an accredited institution of higher learning is required.
• Minimum ten (10) years of experience in media relations and content development is required.
• Minimum five (5) years of Public Relations experience in higher education, at a non-profit or marketing and communications agency, is required.
• Demonstrated success developing and implementing media relations strategies with secured placements.
• Established contacts and ability to cultivate new media relationships.
• Worked cross-functionally within an organization to develop and implement high-impact public relations strategies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Alignment with Adler University’s social interest mission and commitment to advancing positive social change.
• Strong understanding of media relations, public relations, and earned media strategies, with the ability to identify compelling stories and translate complex academic, research, faculty, student, and institutional work into accessible public narratives.
• Understanding of the higher education, nonprofit, and/or professional education landscape, with the ability to identify media opportunities that support enrollment, reputation, fundraising, and institutional priorities.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with journalists, editors, producers, and other media and industry influencers across local, regional, and national markets in the United States and Canada.
• Understanding of the distinct media, cultural, and higher education environments in Adler’s key markets, including Chicago, Vancouver and British Columbia, and the broader U.S. and Canadian markets.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, including experience developing press releases, media pitches, talking points, bylined articles, opinion pieces, executive communications, and other external-facing content.
• Ability to work closely with the President, senior leaders, faculty, staff, students, and subject matter experts to identify stories, develop thought leadership opportunities, and prepare individuals for media engagement.
• Ability to translate content across channels and collaborate with social media, digital, marketing, and creative colleagues to extend the reach and impact of earned media.
• Strong research and news judgment, including the ability to identify emerging issues, trends, and timely opportunities relevant to Adler’s mission, academic programs, research, and areas of expertise.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, stakeholders, and external relationships while maintaining a high standard of quality.
• Ability to develop meaningful performance measures and use media analytics, coverage data, and other insights to evaluate results and recommend improvements.
• Ability to work independently, establish priorities, build effective processes, and operate successfully as an individual contributor while rebuilding and strengthening the University’s media relations function.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, written, and listening skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences across organizational levels and geographic locations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Media Relations Strategy Development & Implementation:

• Collaborates to elevate and enhance the University’s public reputation through strategic earned media, thought leadership, and other public relations initiatives, including secured speaking engagements and award submissions, with measurable KPIs aligned with larger communication efforts.
• Develops measurable objectives and processes to manage the implementation of best-in-class media outreach programs.
• Understands media relations cycles and trends to inform external storytelling opportunities.
• Engages with journalists to shape University news coverage, proactively and reactively.
• Liaises with senior leadership and faculty on schedules to proactively identify media opportunities coinciding with travel.
• Partners with faculty, staff, students, and campus leadership to develop opinion pieces and bylined articles for dissemination.
• Prepares written press materials and collaborates with others across Adler’s locations to develop additional collateral pieces as needed, inclusive of design or videography.
• Provides basic media training tips and staffs interviews where appropriate

Content Development & Analytics:

• Works with the enrollment marketing team, faculty, staff, and students to identify, vet, develop, and disseminate impactful stories externally that articulate the University’s value proposition.
• Collaborates with Communications & Marketing team members to execute against an editorial calendar, ideate ideas, and provide additional relevant opportunities for content initiatives.
• Provides regular reporting on media relations placements and other channels as needed to determine the success of initiatives, identify gaps in content, and present solutions.

Work Environment (Physical Demands):

The usual and customary methods of performing the jobs functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 80% sitting, 10% walking, and 10% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.

Salary Range

$80,000.00 - $90,000.00

Universal Core Behaviors:

Commitment to Adler’s Mission

• Acts with personal integrity, honesty, compassion. and integrity in all professional responsibilities.
• Aligns professional actions with Adler’s commitment to community-rooted education, research, and impact.
• Contributes to a culture that advances health, well-being, and community connection — locally and globally.
• Respects and values colleagues and community partners.

Accountability and Excellence

• Demonstrates results-oriented focus and commitment to quality.
• Consistently meets deadlines and delivers work of high professional standard.
• Prioritizes service and responsiveness.
• Seeks opportunities to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and resource use.
• Takes ownership of performance, seeks feedback, and accepts responsibility for actions.

Communication

• Communicates with respect, diplomacy, and professionalism.
• Demonstrates active listening and comprehension.
• Expresses ideas clearly and effectively in both oral and written forms.
• Keeps colleagues informed in a timely and transparent manner.

Collaboration and Teamwork

• Actively contributes to and engages with colleagues, partners, and communities.
• Builds relationships rooted in respect, empathy, and trust.
• Demonstrates curiosity, courage, and integrity in guiding work and decisions.
• Makes thoughtful, informed decisions that balance short-term needs with long-term impact.
• Works cooperatively with colleagues to achieve collective goals.

Adaptability and Lifelong Learning

• Approaches challenges with proactive problem-solving.
• Commits to lifelong learning by continuously developing skills, knowledge, and effectiveness.
• Supports and adapts to evolving needs in the work environment.

Partnership with Supervisors

• Engages supervisors as partners in achieving goals.
• Fosters open, respectful communication to maintain alignment and clarity.
• Seeks guidance and feedback when appropriate while demonstrating initiative and accountability.

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of Adler University that all persons are entitled to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) protection. The University does not discriminate against any individual for employment because of age, religion, race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status (including unfavorable discharge from the military), or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.