Media Relations Manager

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

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Working Title

Media Relations Manager

Anticipated Hiring Range

$70,000 - $80,000

Work Schedule

Core Business Hours: Monday - Friday; 8:00 am - 5:00 pm; this is an onsite role with flexibility and some hybrid options depending on business needs.

Department

University Communications and Marketing

About the Department

University Communications and Marketing is the central agency responsible for shaping and sharing the story of NC State University. As the stewards of the NC State brand, we drive the university’s reputation and visibility through integrated marketing, strategic communications, and digital engagement. We are a team of creators, strategists, and problem-solvers dedicated to the Think and Do spirit. We collaborate across the university to elevate NC State’s profile as a premier public research institution, supporting enrollment, research, alumni engagement, and institutional prestige.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

As the Media Relations Manager, you will serve as NC State’s day-to-day lead for earned media, securing coverage that highlights the university’s research, academic excellence and impact across North Carolina and beyond. In this role you will build strong relationships with journalists, connect media with university experts, and develop compelling story opportunities for local, regional and national outlets. In partnership with the Director of Strategic Communications and Media and the Research Communications team, the manager responds to media inquiries, prepares faculty and leaders for interviews, monitors coverage, and supports communications during emergencies and sensitive issues.

Key Responsibilities

Proactive Media Relations and Story Development

• 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.
• Ability to shoot campus events and initiatives, and produce polished, short-form video content for distribution to media outlets as needed.

Faculty Expertise and Thought Leadership

• Connect faculty and staff expertise with relevant media opportunities and maintain an accurate, accessible online experts directory.
• Prepare faculty, staff and university leaders for interviews with background materials, talking points and anticipated questions; attend interviews when needed.
• Support UComm’s media relations training program.
• Collaborate with faculty and university leaders to develop opinion pieces and bylined articles for publication.

Media Inquiries and Issues Response

• Serve as a primary day-to-day media contact, responding promptly to inquiries and connecting reporters with appropriate experts and spokespersons.
• Draft and edit media pitches, advisories, news releases, statements and talking points.
• Coordinate with NC State Police and Emergency Management during campus incidents and help prepare WolfAlert messages for issuance.
• Support crisis and sensitive-issue communications under the direction of the Director of Strategic Communications and Media, including after-hours response as needed.

Media Monitoring and Reporting

• Monitor coverage of NC State, its leaders, faculty and programs using university-provided tools, and compile daily reports of top news coverage.
• Prepare weekly and monthly coverage reports with the Director of Strategic Communications and Media, using results to guide future outreach.
• Track pitches, media placements and reporter contacts, and maintain current media lists.

Integrated Communications and Collaboration

• Partner with UComm colleagues in news, social media, video, photography and web to extend earned media coverage across university channels.
• Coordinate with video and photography teams to provide reporters with relevant footage, audio and images, and distribute assets to media outlets.
• Advise college and unit communicators on story pitches, news release distribution and media opportunities.
• Support media outreach for major university announcements, awards and recognitions.

If you are

a strategic communicator who thrives in a fast-paced news environment, builds trusted relationships with journalists, and knows how to turn complex topics into compelling stories, this is an opportunity to help shape how audiences understand NC State’s research, expertise and impact.

Other Responsibilities

• Stay informed about emerging media relations practices, evolving news industry trends and issues shaping higher education to support effective, timely communications.
• Represent University Communications and Marketing at campus events and media activities, including occasional evening and weekend engagements.
• Contribute to additional media relations, reputation management and external communications initiatives that support the university’s communications priorities.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

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