Senior Media Relations Specialist
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
Salary Range
Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary range available for this position at the time of its posting. The salary range is between $52,705 and $66,672, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.
Benefits Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.
Position Objective The Senior Media Relations Specialist develops and promotes news stories and faculty experts in international, national, regional, state and local print, broadcast and online media. The specialist also will provide media relations counsel and strategic perspective to university leaders and others engaging with journalists. The individual also will assist with crisis communications efforts when needed.
Essential Functions
Research, develop, and write (concisely and clearly) story ideas promoting key messages to media, track national media for trend stories to which the university can contribute and cultivate and promote faculty experts. Frame pitches to journalists in ways most likely to resonate with their preferred approaches, writing style and beats. Build and maintain relationships with reporters, editors, and producers at targeted outlets to help promote the faculty expert's national profile. (50%)
Answer media requests and assign media calls as necessary to appropriate experts. Accompany media/ television crews on campus as necessary, including before and after regular business hours. Respond with sense of urgency to media requests, especially time-sensitive requests to interview university experts. Contribute to media relations response to crises. (15%)
Meet regularly with faculty leaders to become familiar with leading ideas and gather information about research and education activities that would be of interest to local and national media. Pursue developments likely to secure media attention and aligned with the associate vice president's strategic media approach. Build faculty expert contact lists, including cell numbers for time-sensitive media requests. (15%)
Develop, produce, film and edit compelling video interviews with university faculty and researchers across diverse subject areas, managing the complete production cycle and ensuring timely upload to the Associated Press (AP) content portal for national distribution. (10%)
In consultation with the associate vice president for media relations, develop plans and tactics to realize the goals of individual media campaigns and overarching strategic approaches. Establish discrete goals and timelines regarding execution of those plans and tactics; regular tally and report results to associate vice president. (10%)
Nonessential Functions Perform other duties as assigned. ( Contacts
Department: Regular contact with supervisor and other team members to maintain workflow.
University: Contact with deans, center directors, individual faculty members, staff, and alumni to exchange information.
External: Contact with the media, government officials, institutional partners, foundation leaders, etc. to exchange information.
Students: Some interaction with students to exchange information.
Supervisory Responsibility No staff supervisory responsibility.
Qualifications Experience: 5 to 8 years of experience in journalism, communications, public relations, or related field. Education: Bachelor's degree required.
Required Skills
Ability to develop and execute successful media strategies for coverage of individual events as well as ongoing positioning of individuals and/or institutions engaged in research.
Demonstrated excellence in writing, editing and interpersonal communication.
Demonstrated excellence in media pitching/outreach, writing, editing and interpersonal communication.
Proven video production experience including filming, lighting and audio recording; proficiency in video editing software.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for working with university experts; ability to understand and communicate complex subject matter across diverse academic subject areas.
Ability to work effectively with teams to heighten own and colleagues’ performance. Ability to work independently while also seeking appropriate guidance and providing necessary updates to supervisor and colleagues.
Knowledge and understanding of the differences involved in writing for different channels and platforms, as well as the ability to execute messaging appropriate to respective channels.
Demonstrated ability to think strategically and tactically in response to media opportunities and development of media plans.
Ability to incorporate feedback from colleagues and/or data insights to enhance messaging effectiveness.
Demonstrated commitment to establish, assess and respond to quantitative and qualitative goals for media relations.
Demonstrated ability to contribute to a collaborative, cross‑functional, and fast‑paced environment dedicated to producing results that support a highly mission‑driven organization.
Demonstrated ability to balance and prioritize multiple projects at once, meet deadlines, and adjust assignments as needed relative to available resources and time‑sensitive developments.
Proficiency with word processing and web software.
Computer proficiency (including Microsoft Office) and the ability to learn new programs.
Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
Ability to meet consistent attendance.
Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
Willingness to learn and work with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.
Working Conditions General office environment, the employee will perform repetitive motion using computer mouse and keyboard to type. This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information. Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case‑by‑case basis.
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Benefits Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.
Position Objective The Senior Media Relations Specialist develops and promotes news stories and faculty experts in international, national, regional, state and local print, broadcast and online media. The specialist also will provide media relations counsel and strategic perspective to university leaders and others engaging with journalists. The individual also will assist with crisis communications efforts when needed.
Essential Functions
Research, develop, and write (concisely and clearly) story ideas promoting key messages to media, track national media for trend stories to which the university can contribute and cultivate and promote faculty experts. Frame pitches to journalists in ways most likely to resonate with their preferred approaches, writing style and beats. Build and maintain relationships with reporters, editors, and producers at targeted outlets to help promote the faculty expert's national profile. (50%)
Answer media requests and assign media calls as necessary to appropriate experts. Accompany media/ television crews on campus as necessary, including before and after regular business hours. Respond with sense of urgency to media requests, especially time-sensitive requests to interview university experts. Contribute to media relations response to crises. (15%)
Meet regularly with faculty leaders to become familiar with leading ideas and gather information about research and education activities that would be of interest to local and national media. Pursue developments likely to secure media attention and aligned with the associate vice president's strategic media approach. Build faculty expert contact lists, including cell numbers for time-sensitive media requests. (15%)
Develop, produce, film and edit compelling video interviews with university faculty and researchers across diverse subject areas, managing the complete production cycle and ensuring timely upload to the Associated Press (AP) content portal for national distribution. (10%)
In consultation with the associate vice president for media relations, develop plans and tactics to realize the goals of individual media campaigns and overarching strategic approaches. Establish discrete goals and timelines regarding execution of those plans and tactics; regular tally and report results to associate vice president. (10%)
Nonessential Functions Perform other duties as assigned. ( Contacts
Department: Regular contact with supervisor and other team members to maintain workflow.
University: Contact with deans, center directors, individual faculty members, staff, and alumni to exchange information.
External: Contact with the media, government officials, institutional partners, foundation leaders, etc. to exchange information.
Students: Some interaction with students to exchange information.
Supervisory Responsibility No staff supervisory responsibility.
Qualifications Experience: 5 to 8 years of experience in journalism, communications, public relations, or related field. Education: Bachelor's degree required.
Required Skills
Ability to develop and execute successful media strategies for coverage of individual events as well as ongoing positioning of individuals and/or institutions engaged in research.
Demonstrated excellence in writing, editing and interpersonal communication.
Demonstrated excellence in media pitching/outreach, writing, editing and interpersonal communication.
Proven video production experience including filming, lighting and audio recording; proficiency in video editing software.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for working with university experts; ability to understand and communicate complex subject matter across diverse academic subject areas.
Ability to work effectively with teams to heighten own and colleagues’ performance. Ability to work independently while also seeking appropriate guidance and providing necessary updates to supervisor and colleagues.
Knowledge and understanding of the differences involved in writing for different channels and platforms, as well as the ability to execute messaging appropriate to respective channels.
Demonstrated ability to think strategically and tactically in response to media opportunities and development of media plans.
Ability to incorporate feedback from colleagues and/or data insights to enhance messaging effectiveness.
Demonstrated commitment to establish, assess and respond to quantitative and qualitative goals for media relations.
Demonstrated ability to contribute to a collaborative, cross‑functional, and fast‑paced environment dedicated to producing results that support a highly mission‑driven organization.
Demonstrated ability to balance and prioritize multiple projects at once, meet deadlines, and adjust assignments as needed relative to available resources and time‑sensitive developments.
Proficiency with word processing and web software.
Computer proficiency (including Microsoft Office) and the ability to learn new programs.
Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
Ability to meet consistent attendance.
Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
Willingness to learn and work with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.
Working Conditions General office environment, the employee will perform repetitive motion using computer mouse and keyboard to type. This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information. Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case‑by‑case basis.
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