Senior Digital & Media Relations Strategist

Hazen and Sawyer; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) plan

Paid holidays

Paid time off (PTO)

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development

Job summary

Hazen and Sawyer seeks a Senior Digital & Media Relations Specialist to drive digital storytelling, press engagement, and in-person community connections. You will build Hazen’s social media content, draft press materials, and foster reporter relationships to support our water‑focused client base and public outreach efforts.

Hybrid role centered in Hazen’s Communications and Public Outreach practice, collaborating with teams to manage risk, craft audience‑appropriate messaging, and guide

Qualifications

• 8-10 years of professional experience in social media and media relations, public relations, communications, or community/public engagement
• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field
• Demonstrated success managing social media channels and creating content for a brand, agency, or client
• Experience drafting press materials and working directly with media contacts
• Strong writing, editing, and message development skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information for general audiences
• Skilled at building relationships with clients, public agencies, reporters, and diverse stakeholder groups
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously

Responsibilities

• Build a scalable expansion strategy for Hazen’s current social media presence
• Strategically align, develop, schedule, and manage content calendars across Hazen social media channels
• Develop engaging posts that translate technical water and environmental work for current and potential clients, media and public audiences
• Monitor social channels for engagement opportunities, respond to comments and inquiries, and flag emerging issues or sentiment shifts
• Track and report on social media analytics and use insights to refine content strategy
• Stay current on platform trends, algorithm changes, and best practices, and recommend new tools or approaches
• Draft press releases, media advisories, fact sheets, and talking points for firm announcements
• Build and maintain relationships with reporters, editors, and trade/local media covering water, infrastructure, and environmental topics
• Pitch story ideas and coordinate interviews, ensuring spokespeople are prepared with clear, audience-appropriate messaging
• Monitor media coverage and prepare coverage summaries and clip reports for clients and leadership
• Support proactive and reactive media strategy, including guidance during sensitive or crisis communications
• Work with event staff and associations to build stronger community engagements particularly around our major offices
• Identify and analyze stakeholder groups and recommend engagement approaches tailored to diverse audiences
• Prepare compelling content for outreach materials for regional offices

Skills

Social media management

Media relations

Content writing

Press materials

Editing

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications/public relations/journalism

Job description

Hazen and Sawyer seeks a Senior Digital & Media Relations Specialist to drive digital storytelling, press engagement, and in-person community connections. You will build Hazen’s social media content, draft press materials, and foster reporter relationships to support our water‑focused client base and public outreach efforts.

Hybrid role centered in Hazen’s Communications and Public Outreach practice, collaborating with teams to manage risk, craft audience‑appropriate messaging, and guide