Media Relations Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Flexible Spending Account

Retirement Programs

Paid Time Off & Holidays

Tuition & Academic Assistance

Job summary

NC State University is seeking a Media Relations Manager to lead earned media coverage and build strong relationships with journalists across local, regional, and national outlets.

The role involves partnering with university communicators to identify timely story opportunities, prepare faculty and leaders for interviews, and manage media inquiries with a proactive, strategic approach.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary day-to-day media contact and connect reporters with NC State experts.
• Develop and pitch stories highlighting research, teaching, and university impact.
• Write pitches, news releases, statements, and talking points in AP style.
• Coordinate media visits and crisis communications as needed.
• Monitor media coverage and compile reports to guide outreach.

Skills

Pitching stories to reporters

Media contacts

Earned media coverage

AP style writing

Crisis communications

Story development

Education

Post-baccalaureate or BA with communications/PR focus

Tools

Video editing

Videography

Media monitoring tools

Job description

Posting Number:

PG195009EP

Internal Recruitment :

No

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.

Job Location:

Raleigh, NC

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 Propositionand learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.
What we offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

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. Essential Job Duties:

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.

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.

Other Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience pitching stories to reporters, developing media contacts, and securing earned media coverage in local, regional, or national outlets.
• Capacity to produce clear, accurate, publication-ready media materials, including story pitches, news releases, statements, and talking points, using AP style and meeting established deadlines.
• Ability to identify newsworthy topics, assess their media potential, and translate complex research, technical information, or academic concepts into clear, accessible stories for general audiences.
• Skilled in managing multiple assignments, prioritizing competing deadlines, and delivering accurate, high‑quality work with minimal supervision in a fast‑paced environment.
• Capacity to establish productive working relationships across departments and organizational levels, build trust with stakeholders, and gain alignment on communications priorities without relying on formal authority.
• Experience in videography and video editing, with the ability to quickly capture events and produce polished, short‑form video content for distribution to media outlets as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in higher education, a research organization, a public relations agency or a newsroom.
• Established relationships with regional or national reporters.
• Expertise preparing faculty, executives or other subject‑matter experts for interviews.
• Skilled in crisis or emergency communications.
• Familiarity with media monitoring, media database and earned media measurement tools.
• Knowledge of digital video production concepts, techniques and best practices for digital video production
• Working knowledge of how TV and radio newsrooms operate and what they need for a story.

Required License(s) or Certification(s):

• N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required:

No

Commercial Driver's License required:

No

Job Open Date:

11/02/2026

Anticipated Close Date:

Open Until Filled

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.

Position Number:

001