Media Relations Manager

Responsibilities

• Proactive Media Relations and Story Development
• Develop and pitch stories that showcase NC State’s research, teaching, service and broader impact.
• Collaborate with communications colleagues, faculty and university leaders to identify timely story opportunities tied to research, events, travel and major announcements.
• Build and maintain relationships with reporters, editors, producers and assignment editors.
• Monitor emerging news and connect journalists with NC State experts for breaking news coverage.
• Coordinate media visits, demonstrations and researcher interviews, including scheduling the UComm media studio.
• Ability to shoot campus events and initiatives, and produce polished, short-form video content for distribution to media outlets as needed.
• Faculty Expertise and Thought Leadership
• Connect faculty and staff expertise with relevant media opportunities and maintain an accurate, accessible online experts directory.
• Prepare faculty, staff and university leaders for interviews with background materials, talking points and anticipated questions; attend interviews when needed.

Requirements

• Post-baccalaureate degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field; or a Bachelor’s degree with equivalent broad-based independent experience in marketing or strategic communications.
• Minimum of five to seven years of progressive experience.
• Demonstrated experience pitching stories to reporters, developing media contacts, and securing earned media coverage in local, regional, or national outlets.
• Capacity to produce clear, accurate, publication-ready media materials, including story pitches, news releases, statements, and talking points, using AP style and meeting established deadlines.
• Ability to identify newsworthy topics, assess their media potential, and translate complex research, technical information, or academic concepts into clear, accessible stories for general audiences.
• Skilled in managing multiple assignments, prioritizing competing deadlines, and delivering accurate, high-quality work with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment.
• Capacity to establish productive working relationships across departments and organizational levels, build trust with stakeholders, and gain alignment on communications priorities without relying on formal authority.
• Experience in videography and video editing, with the ability to quickly capture events and produce polished, short-form video content for distribution to media outlets as needed.

Preferred

• Experience in higher education, a research organization, a public relations agency or a newsroom.
• Established relationships with regional or national reporters.
• Expertise preparing faculty, executives or other subject-matter experts for interviews.
• Skilled in crisis or emergency communications.
• Familiarity with media monitoring, media database and earned media measurement tools.
• Knowledge of digital video production concepts, techniques and best practices for digital video production
• Working knowledge of how TV and radio newsrooms operate and what they need for a story.

Benefits

• Medical , Dental , and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership , and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.