Media Relations Specialist for Indianapolis

Purdue University; West Lafayette (IN); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Purdue University in Indianapolis seeks a Media Relations Specialist to advance strategic storytelling and media engagement for faculty, researchers, and academic initiatives. This hybrid role partners with the Office of Communications and Purdue Brand Studio to develop media plans and secure earned media in the Indianapolis area.

Responsibilities include writing high-priority news releases and features, cultivating relationships with city and statewide outlets, and supporting media events that

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or related field.
• Two years of writing, editing or communications experience.
• Proficiency in AP style and strong storytelling abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with tight deadlines.
• Experience in media relations within higher education or large organizations is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic media plans and publish high-priority news releases and feature stories.
• Cultivate relationships with city and statewide media to secure earned media placements.
• Identify story opportunities working with Purdue leadership and campus communicators.
• Support media events that showcase Purdue’s teaching, research, and innovation in Indianapolis.

Skills

Writing

Editing

Storytelling

AP Style

Project management

Collaboration

Media relations

Microsoft Office

Video production

Video editing

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Video production

Video editing

Job description

Media Relations Specialist for Indianapolis

Job Summary

The Media Relations Specialist for Indianapolis serves as a key member of the Office of Communications team under the Purdue Brand Studio umbrella, advancing the university's top strategic initiative through compelling storytelling and media engagement. The position develops and executes media relations strategies that elevate the work of Purdue faculty, researchers, and academic initiatives in Indianapolis, helping increase awareness of the university's growing impact across the capital city and central Indiana region.

Reporting to the Assistant Director of External Media Strategy, the Media Relations Specialist for Indianapolis partners closely with Purdue leadership, including the Provost's Office, along with faculty, researchers, and campus communicators to identify story opportunities and secure earned media placements. The position is responsible for developing strategic media plans, writing high-priority news releases and feature stories, cultivating relationships with city and statewide media, and supporting media events that showcase Purdue University’s teaching excellence, impactful research, and cutting-edge innovation in Indianapolis.

This is a hybrid position. It will primarily include on-campus work in Indianapolis, along with occasional meetings and/or support work for the Purdue Communications team in West Lafayette. The candidate will have to live within a reasonable driving distance of both the West Lafayette and Indianapolis campuses.

At Purdue, you’ll join a community where unrivaled pride and unlimited potential are more than just words—they’re the foundation of how we work and grow, together. If you’re ready to help build a better world through research that matters, take the next step and join us on this path.

About Us:

When you join Purdue University, you join a community that keeps moving forward. For more than 150 years, we’ve been known for not only our groundbreaking work in STEM research, but also for our collective imagination, ingenuity and innovation.

What We’re Looking For:

Education and Experience

Qualified candidates will need:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or related field.
• Two (2) years of experience in writing, editing or communications.

Skills

• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with proficiency in AP style.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects with tight deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Video shooting, production, and editing experience.
• Strong leadership qualities, organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Comfortability serving as a trusted go-to person for media and Purdue leadership.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across units, including the highest levels of executive leadership.
• Ability to assess media value, audience fit and channel strategy across earned, owned and internal communications.
• Strong news judgement and discretion in sensitive, fast-moving issues

Nice to Have

• Experience in the Indianapolis media market.
• AI profiency for compiling data, providing updates on media results.
• Experience in higher education communications or familiarity navigating large work teams and structures.
• Established track record of earned media success.
• Journalism experience to better understand what media is interested in.
• Strong analytics proficiency to properly measure communications effectiveness.
• Experience using Meltwater or another media monitoring service

Additional Information

• Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
• A background check will be required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contribution Waiting Period

Who We Are:

Purdue is a community built on collaboration, with global perspectives, Boilermaker pride and endless opportunity to live, learn and grow. Join us and contribute to our culture.

Career Stream

Compensation Information:

Professional 2

Pay Band S065

Job Code # 20003617

EOE

Purdue University is an EO/EA University

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