Public Relations Specialist

UR University of Richmond; United States; On-site; USD 50,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Richmond is seeking a Public Relations Specialist to support media relations and strategic communications to advance institutional reputation and promote faculty expertise. This role will help secure media opportunities, develop compelling storytelling, and collaborate with colleagues to align communications with institutional priorities.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Media Relations & Strategic Communications, the specialist will manage select digital assets, oversee newsroom

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in PR, communications, marketing, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in PR, media relations, or strategic communications.
• Experience in higher education or nonprofit communications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, write, edit, and distribute media releases, pitches, advisories, and related materials; manage media relationships.
• Assist with strategic communications planning, crisis messaging, and internal communications; monitor metrics.

Skills

Written & verbal communication

Press releases & pitches

Crisis comms

Organization

Analytics tools

Professional judgement

AP Style & Adobe CC

Education

Bachelor’s degree in PR/communications/marketing

3+ years PR/media relations/strategic comms

Job description

Job Description Position Summary

The Public Relations Specialist supports the University’s media relations and strategic communications efforts to advance institutional reputation, elevate academic visibility, and promote faculty and staff expertise. This position will Manage and/or support media outreach initiatives, contribute to strategic communications efforts, oversee select digital communication assets, and tack performance metrics related to media engagement and communications impact. Reporting to the Senior Director, Media Relations & Strategic Communications and working in close collaboration with the Media Relations Manager, the specialist helps secure media opportunities and develop compelling storytelling opportunities that strengthen the University’s public profile and support institutional priorities.

Job Duties

• Media Relations (65%) Develop, write, edit, and distribute media releases, pitches, advisories, and related communications materials to support University initiatives, research, faculty expertise, and institutional priorities. Cultivate and maintain positive working relationships with national, trade, regional, and local media contacts. Support proactive media pitching efforts that increase awareness of university programs, achievements, research, and subject matter experts. Monitor, track, and report key media relations and communications metrics, including media placements, engagement, reach, and other performance indicators. Manage and/or support digital communications assets, including newsroom content, media resources, online press materials, editorial calendar, and related platforms.
• Strategic Communications Support (35%) Assist with strategic communications planning and execution for institutional announcements, initiatives, and events. Provide communications support during crisis, emergencies, and sensitive messaging situations, as needed, including social listening. Collaborate with colleagues across the communications division, as well as academic and administrative units to identify and promote compelling stories and media opportunities. Support various internal communications efforts, as needed.

Qualifications

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience writing press releases, media pitches, and digital content.
• Familiarity with crisis and strategic communications principles and practices.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Familiarity with media monitoring and analytics tools.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain professionalism in sensitive or high-pressure situations.
• Knowledge of AP Style, Adobe Creative Cloud, and best practices in media relations.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, marketing, or a related field.
• 3+ years of professional experience in public relations, media relations, or strategic communications.

Preferred: Experience in higher education or nonprofit communications.

Work Schedule

Full-time; Exempt position 8:30AM-5:00PM, however, this position is subject to occasional on-call status and emergency response.

Pay Structure

Grade 6 ($50,461 to $66,851 annually)

About the University

Located just minutes from downtown Richmond, Virginia, the University of Richmond blends the intimacy of a small college with exceptional academic, research, and cultural opportunities usually found only at large institutions. The mission of the University of Richmond is to educate in an academically challenging, intellectually vibrant, and collaborative community dedicated to the holistic development of students and the production of scholarly and creative work. A Richmond education prepares students for lives of purpose, thoughtful inquiry, and responsible leadership in a diverse world. Our strategic priorities are academic excellence, belonging and community, access and affordability, well-being, and experiential learning and community engagement. These priorities, coupled with strong benefits, makes the University of Richmond an employer of choice in the Richmond area. UR is a private, highly selective, liberal arts university with a welcoming spirit that prizes diversity of experience and thought. With more than 60 undergraduate majors and an average undergraduate class size of 15 students, the University provides a collaborative learning and research environment unlike any other in higher education, offering students an extraordinary combination of the liberal arts with law, business, leadership studies, and continuing education. The University of Richmond ranks number 30 among the nation’s best liberal arts colleges by US News and World Report, one of many accolades that showcases Richmond as a premiere place to grow professionally and personally.