Writer/Media Relations Specialist

Montgomery County Maryland; Manhattan (KS); On-site; USD 47,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Kansas State University is seeking a communications professional to promote the university and its strategic plan. You will develop stories, pitches, and materials, and coordinate media inquiries to secure interviews and coverage.

You will edit and approve communications across channels, uphold brand standards, and support campus-wide messaging from the Division of Communications and Marketing. On-site role in Kansas.

Qualifications

• Five years of content creation and media relations or crisis communications experience.
• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, English or related field.
• Knowledge of AP Style and brand guidelines.
• Experience with media tracking tools.
• Experience writing and editing for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop stories, media pitches and materials that promote the university and its strategic plan.
• Coordinate media inquiries and secure interviews for the university.
• Review and approve materials distributed by university campuses to uphold brand standards.
• Edit and approve communications across news releases, publications, video and web text.

Skills

Content creation

Media relations

Crisis communications

AP Style

Brand guidelines

Microsoft Office

Adobe Creative Suite

Writing and editing

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Media tracking tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office

Job description

About This Role

The purpose of this position is to promote the prominence and reputation of Kansas State University by communicating news and information about the university to a wide range of audiences.

The employee will be responsible for developing stories, media pitches and other materials that promote and publicize the activities and outcomes of the university’s strategic plan. The employee may also write or review other forms of written communications produced by the university, such as emergency messages to the public. This employee will help coordinate media inquiries and secure interviews for the university.

The employee in this position may provide reviews, edits and approvals for materials distributed by all university campuses, ensuring brand standards are upheld. This includes responsibility to edit and approve communications distributed by the university including news releases, publications, video and web text, and internal communications.

About Us

The Division of Communications and Marketing team offers a variety of services to assist you with your marketing and communications needs. Our team takes a collaborative approach in our work with all university units, ensuring your marketing and communications efforts are aligned with institutional priorities and university policies/guidelines. Additionally, we support key university initiatives by preparing communications toolkits and materials that empower you to lend your voice directly to the cause.

Worksite Description

This position is On-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma (or equivalent)
• Five years of relevant experience in content creation and media relations or crisis communication. Requirements may be met through a combination of work experience and education.
• Valid driver's license

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, English or other applicable field.
• Minimum of five years of experience in corporate communications and content development.
• Minimum of five years of experience in media relations or crisis communications.
• Knowledge of media tracking and management tools.
• Knowledge and demonstrated use of AP Style.
• Five or more years experience writing and editing for a variety of audiences and communication needs such as news, marketing, websites, video and social media.
• Knowledge of brand guidelines and ability to apply them to content creation and editing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with Adobe products.

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship

Application Window

Applications close on: September 29th, 2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$47,486-$60,541