Media Relations Specialist

University of Wisconsin Madison
$60,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
paid time off, remote work
United States, Wisconsin, Madison
21 North Park Street (Show on map)
Apr 16, 2025
Job Summary: The Media Relations Specialist plays a key role in sharing UW-Madison's stories and elevating its thought leaders with the public. This position is responsible for identifying and developing compelling stories and thought leaders, coordinating news coverage, and managing media relations for assigned academic departments, programs, and administrative offices. In this role, you will collaborate with university leadership to find proactive opportunities for media coverage, highlighting the expertise, initiatives, and achievements of UW-Madison. You'll pitch stories to journalists, arrange interviews with university leaders and faculty, and respond to media inquiries. The ideal candidate will have strong writing and editing skills, as this position is responsible for crafting press releases, media advisories, and pitches, as well as preparing reports to showcase media coverage. Experience in journalism or a public relations agency is a plus, but not required. Key responsibilities include: - Assisting the Director of Media Relations. - Developing and implementing media strategies to effectively promote UW-Madison's priorities. - Engaging in proactive media outreach and responding to media requests. - Maintaining and updating media contact and expert databases. - Performing online research to acquire media contacts and clips. The position requires independent judgment, strong storytelling skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Responsibilities: Plans, prepares and disseminates institution-related publicity and good-will information to the public and other external entities in support of the institution's strategic communication goals. 25% Develops and executes public relations plans, projects, and initiatives utilizing various communication mediums 25% Participates in the development of the public relations strategy in collaboration with communications leadership 25% Assists with pitching and placing content in accordance with established marketing objectives and responding to inquiries 10% Initiates, writes, and edits press coverage ideas, briefing materials, and content independently for leadership 15% Tracks media coverage of institution Institutional Statement on Diversity: Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world. For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion Education: Preferred Bachelor's Degree Qualifications: - 1-3 years of experience in communications, publicity or media preferred - Comprehensive understanding of national, regional and trade media - Proven experience securing media coverage - Strong written and oral communications skill - Highly organized and attentive to details - Creative problem-solver - Experience using PR software such as Cision or Meltwater - Collaborative attitude and willingness to roll up their sleeves to get the job done - Ability to work with internal and external stakeholders, including faculty and administration - Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment and deliver results Work Type: Full Time: 100% This is a hybrid position, requiring some in-person work on campus and the flexibility to work remotely part of the week. Onsite vs. remote work expectations will be discussed during the interview process. Appointment Type, Duration: Ongoing/Renewable Salary: Minimum $60,000 ANNUAL (12 months) Depending on Qualifications This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced insurance plans, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. Learn more at https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/. Additional Information: The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment. University sponsorship is not available for this position. How to Apply: Please click the 'Apply Now' button above to begin. After creating a UW Jobs profile, you will be asked to upload a cover letter, resume, and a work sample. Work Sample: Please provide a press release and/or 2-3 story pitches that you have produced in a current or previous role. If you do not have existing work, you are welcome to create a press release and/or story pitches using a real or fictional topic of your choice. Work samples should be uploaded as a single Microsoft Word document or PDF. Contact: Kory Breuer kory.breuer@wisc.edu Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information. Official Title: Public Relations Specialist(CM009) Department(s): A02-GENERAL SERVICES/VC FOR UNIV RELATIONS/CONTENT STRATEGY Employment Class: Academic Staff-Renewable Job Number: 312954-AS The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, click here If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/ Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.