Corporate PR and Communications Manager

Corporate PR and Communications Manager

Company: Western Governors University

Job Location: Salt Lake City, UT

Category: Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs

Type: Full-Time

Job Type: Full time

Job Number: JR-024682

Location: Salt Lake City, UT

If you're passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country-and you're committed to working hard to play your part in building that future-consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Grade: Professional 312 Pay Range: $106,700.00 - $165,400.00

Job Description

As a Corporate Public Relations and Communications Manager at WGU, you will partner across the university to bring our mission of creating pathways to opportunity to life through clear, compelling storytelling. Partnering with teams across WGU, you'll develop and execute communications programs that strengthen our reputation as a leader in accredited, flexible, and workforce-relevant higher education.

In this role, you'll help promote a clear and consistent image of WGU with media, partners, employers, and current and prospective students. You'll collaborate closely with colleagues across communications, marketing, partnerships, and alumni teams to ensure our messaging is aligned and reflects WGU's voice and priorities.

You'll lead efforts to secure media coverage, develop stories for WGU's owned channels, and support day-to-day messaging for university leaders. The role may include managing agency partners and serving as a spokesperson. You'll also create content across formats, including news, social media, blogs, and opinion pieces. Strong writing skills, sound judgment, and the ability to turn complex ideas into clear, engaging content are key to success.

Location: This position requires you to work in office 4 days a week at the WGU headquarters: 4001 South 700 East Salt Lake City, UT 84107.

What You'll Do:

• Build and execute communications plans that support broader strategy, with a focus on media relations.
• Build communications programs that highlight WGU's impact at scale and its role in advancing economic mobility.
• Partner cross-functionally with communications, marketing, and other stakeholders to align priorities and campaigns.
• Work across WGU to source and shape compelling stories that showcase how WGU is shaping the future of higher education.
• Conduct interviews, research, and write content for media, web, social, newsletters, and other channels.
• Collaborate with internal teams to develop owned content and support key initiatives.
• Pitch stories and secure earned media coverage across key outlets.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with media and industry influencers.
• Create opportunities for press coverage, including press releases and proactive story placements.
• Represent WGU at media events and serve as a point of contact for media inquiries.
• Plan and execute PR campaigns in partnership with internal teams and external agencies.
• Coordinate the work of PR and marketing agencies, as needed.
• Support media-facing events and ensure consistent messaging for participants, including students and alumni.
• Use tools like Meltwater to monitor coverage, identify opportunities, and respond to media inquiries.
• Stay informed on higher education trends and regional issues to inform strategy and outreach.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities You'll Need to be Successful:

• Bias for action and ability to work effectively with all external audiences as well as WGU staff at all levels.
• Outstanding writing skills and ability to write effectively for different audiences.
• Understanding of and ability to develop relationships with media.
• Ability to conceptualize projects and manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to perform creative writing and related activities such as conducting interviews, research, and editing.
• Ability to work calmly and maintain good judgment in a fast-paced, dynamic, and entrepreneurial environment.
• Ability to understand and interpret information accurately, communicate accurately and concisely, influence others positively, and initiate creative and innovative promotional ideas.
• Display a competent and confident professional demeanor.
• Demonstrated skill and ability in the effective use of equipment, computers and other resources for completion of projects such as posters, displays, PowerPoints, etc.
• Self-direction and reliability.
• Excellent collaboration and customer service skills.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, or related field.
• 5 years of experience in public relations, marketing or related field, including internships. An equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience is acceptable.
• Knowledge of public relations, marketing and communications programs.

Preferred Requirements:

• An entrepreneurial spirit, including the ability to work independently and autonomously.
• Experience pitching proactive stories to education, technology, health, and business publications.
• Outstanding attention to detail, understanding of technology, and ability to communicate complex topics effectively.
• Passionate about excellence in writing and verbal communications.
• Thrives in a collaborative environment and is willing to roll up their sleeves to get the job done.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment.
• Solid judgment and the ability to respond quickly, yet thoughtfully, to urgent PR matters.

Why Join WGU?

• You will be part of a growing, diverse, inclusive workforce, committed to creating pathways to a better life for our students by expanding access to education for everyone.
• We provide comprehensive dental, vision, and medical benefits, with paid time off, parental leave, and inclusive family forming benefits.
• We offer generous retirement and HSA company contributions.
• You will also have opportunity for continuous learning! Employees and their families receive discounted undergraduate and graduate WGU tuition.

Physical Requirements:

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

This position requires occasional travel of up to 20%, including required attendance at designated company summits (typically one to two per year). Additional travel may include conferences, visits to company locations, and other business-related events as needed. Additional travel may be assigned as needed to support business requirements.

Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.

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