Media Relations Director

Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Management: Supervise and direct the Media Relations Team, including the press and public records teams. Oversee professional communications specialists, events manager, media relations personnel, and support staff.
• Media Strategy & Response: Plan, design, and execute comprehensive media relations strategies. Act as the primary agency spokesperson when necessary, coordinating both proactive public relations campaigns and crisis messaging. Anticipate emerging issues, risks, and shifts in the media and political landscape.
• Advanced Writing & Storytelling: Craft press releases, media advisories, and stakeholder letters, developing high-quality content for a variety of audiences under tight deadlines. Ensure public materials and media responses are vetted and align with department strategy.
• Executive Advising: Work closely with leadership and department experts to create public communication plans, write clear talking points, and share the best ways to connect with the public.
• Relationship Management: Build and sustain strong working relationships with local, state, and national news media representatives, community advocacy groups, and the general public.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, public affairs, media, journalism, English, or a related field from an appropriately accredited institution and six years of experience in communications, public relations, or publicity work
• OR An equivalent combination of education and experience

Preferred

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, methods, and modern practices of planning and executing large-scale public relations and media engagement strategies.
• Thorough knowledge of journalistic standards, AP style, publication layout, digital media tracking, and multimedia production techniques.
• Proven ability to supervise, mentor, and evaluate a staff of communications professionals in drafting press releases, handling complex media inquiries, and managing high-volume public records requests.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise mature judgment, analyze high-stakes situations rapidly, and make sound decisions under tight deadlines.
• Experience planning and executing in-person and virtual events, including press conferences, media briefings, stakeholder roundtables, community forums, and executive events.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to translate complex health and technical data into clear, accessible public information.

Benefits

• The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit website for State Benefits.