Strategic Storyteller & Media Relations Lead

Furman University; Lexington (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Furman University’s Office of University Marketing & Communications is seeking a Writer & Media Relations Specialist. You will craft news content, feature stories and institutional narratives across print and digital channels, tailoring tone and length to each audience.

You will manage daily media relations, coordinate interviews, draft statements, and ensure accuracy in AP and Furman house style while collaborating with faculty, staff, alumni and donors to highlight the university’s impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, communications or a related field.
• 5+ years of professional writing and editing experience.
• Proven expertise in Associated Press style, feature writing and news writing.
• Experience providing media relations support—responding to reporter inquiries, drafting statements and talking points.
• Ability to write across multiple formats and platforms—print, web, social, video scripts and advertising copy.
• Familiarity with digital and social platforms and adapting long-form writing for short-form consumption.
• Ability to use generative AI tools responsibly in a writing workflow.

Responsibilities

• Write and edit news content, feature stories, profiles and institutional narratives.
• Create and edit copy for print and digital communications including magazines, press releases and web content.
• Interview faculty, staff, students, alumni and donors to source stories.
• Apply AP style and Furman house style across content.
• Provide daily media relations support including responding to reporter inquiries and drafting statements.
• Monitor media coverage and flag opportunities or risks.
• Adapt stories for print, web, social, video, and advertising.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff and campus partners to identify newsworthy stories.
• Ensure messaging is accurate and consistent with Furman’s voice.

Skills

AP style writing

News writing

Editing

Interviewing

Cross-functional collaboration

Deadline management

Storytelling

Media relations

Editorial judgment

SEO basics

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism, English, communications or related field

Job description

Furman University’s Office of University Marketing & Communications is seeking a Writer & Media Relations Specialist. You will craft news content, feature stories and institutional narratives across print and digital channels, tailoring tone and length to each audience.

You will manage daily media relations, coordinate interviews, draft statements, and ensure accuracy in AP and Furman house style while collaborating with faculty, staff, alumni and donors to highlight the university’s impact.