Media Relations Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work flexibility

Job summary

North Carolina State University is seeking a Media Relations Manager to lead earned media coverage of its research, teaching, and impact. The role will work with the Director of Strategic Communications and the Research Communications team to respond to media inquiries, prepare leaders for interviews, and support communications during emergencies.

The role requires a post-baccalaureate degree (or bachelor’s with equivalent experience) and 5–7 years of progressive media relations experience, with

Qualifications

• Post-baccalaureate degree in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated record of pitching stories and securing earned media coverage.
• Experience writing publication-ready materials in AP style.
• Videography and video editing skills for campus events.

Responsibilities

• Develop and pitch stories that showcase NC State's research and impact to media outlets.
• Build relationships with reporters and connect journalists with university experts.
• Prepare faculty and leaders for interviews with talking points and briefs.
• Draft media pitches, advisories, releases, statements, and talking points.
• Coordinate with campus partners during incidents and crisis communications.
• Monitor coverage and prepare daily, weekly, and monthly reports.

Skills

Media relations

Pitch stories

AP style writing

Videography

Video editing

Crisis communications

Education

Bachelor's degree with equivalent experience

Job description

North Carolina State University is hiring a Media Relations Manager. The role serves as the university's day-to-day lead for earned media, securing news coverage that highlights NC State's research, academic excellence, and impact across North Carolina and beyond. The manager works with the Director of Strategic Communications and Media and the Research Communications team to respond to media inquiries, prepare faculty and leaders for interviews, and support communications during emergencies.

Highlights

• Develop and pitch stories that showcase NC State's research, teaching, service, and impact to local, regional, and national outlets.
• Build relationships with reporters, editors, producers, and assignment editors and connect journalists with university experts for breaking news coverage.
• Prepare faculty, staff, and university leaders for interviews with background materials, talking points, and anticipated questions, and keep the online experts directory accurate.
• Draft and edit media pitches, advisories, news releases, statements, and talking points, and help faculty develop opinion pieces and bylined articles.
• Coordinate with NC State Police and Emergency Management during campus incidents, help prepare WolfAlert messages, and support crisis and sensitive-issue communications, including after-hours response.
• Monitor coverage of NC State, compile daily top-news reports, and prepare weekly and monthly coverage reports with the Director of Strategic Communications and Media.
• Shoot campus events and produce short-form video for distribution to media outlets as needed.
• Post-baccalaureate degree in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field (or a bachelor's degree with equivalent experience) and five to seven years of progressive experience.
• Demonstrated record of pitching stories and securing earned media coverage, writing publication-ready materials in AP style, and videography and video editing skills.
• Anticipated hiring range of $70,000 to $80,000 for an onsite role in Raleigh with some hybrid flexibility.