Develop and execute earned media strategies that align with institutional priorities, brand positioning, and campaign objectives
Identify, research, and pitch story opportunities to relevant media outlets, journalists, and industry publications
Write and distribute press releases, media advisories, and thought leadership content
Build and maintain relationships with media contacts to secure consistent and high-quality coverage
Collaborate with internal teams to uncover compelling stories across programs, faculty, outcomes, and innovation initiatives
Monitor media coverage and report on performance, reach, and impact of PR efforts
Provide guidance on media positioning, messaging, and narrative development
Stay informed on higher education trends, media landscape shifts, and competitive positioning
Aligning PR efforts with SEO and GEO strategies, including optimizing press content for search visibility and authority building

3–6 years of experience in public relations, communications, or earned media strategy
Proven success securing media coverage and building relationships with journalists and outlets
Strong writing and storytelling skills with experience in press releases, pitches, and thought leadership
Aptitude for crafting clear, differentiated messaging from complex or evolving inputs
Able to receive constructive feedback and adapt to client and stakeholder needs
Experience working across multiple brands or clients preferred
Familiarity with SEO principles and how earned media contributes to search visibility is a plus
Strong communication and collaboration skills across cross-functional teams
Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines

Public Relations Strategist – Contract

Key skills