Associate Director of Media Relations

The University Communications office at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks an associate director of media relations for its best-in-class media relations team. Individuals who thrive on driving and supporting a team to accomplish their goals are well suited for this position. If you enjoy combining communications, operations and team management to create an efficient, successful team and want to work for the nation’s first public university, this is the role for you. Experience working with strong teams and creating processes that serve them are required, as well as a passion for strategic communications, media and strong writing.

Reporting to the senior director of media relations, the associate director of media relations helps manage the daily operations of the media relations team and handle senior-level initiatives for both the proactive and reactive media needs for the nation’s first public university. This role works with colleagues in the Office of University Communications, University leaders and communications professionals across campus in a fast-paced and busy office that handles a high volume of news stories of national importance. The person in this role will draft communications plans for large-scale promotional initiatives, such as the University’s strategic plan, annual Commencement ceremonies and media announcement events, and guide the media relations team on developing strategies for their announcements and will work with the director to determine story lines that best position the University as a world-class public research institution.

The associate director will work with the media relations team to oversee daily work and operations, guide team members on planning, and advise on strategy. This person will also engage in issues management and make recommendations on media strategies and responses. In addition, the associate director will serve as a contact for members of the media. He or she will develop and maintain strong working relationships with subject matter experts across the campus and with key journalists on the national, state and local levels.