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Location: Raleigh, NC
Essential Job Duties:
The Director of Public Relations, reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Integrated Strategic Communications, leads public relations efforts that shape and protect NC State's reputation across North Carolina and beyond. As a key member of University Communications and Marketing's news team, this role develops and advances proactive media opportunities, supports strategic communications for high-visibility university priorities and events, and partners on issues management and crisis communication. The Director works closely with university leadership, communicators across campus, and external media to ensure NC State's stories, priorities and perspectives are effectively represented.
In this role, you will help shape how audiences understand and experience NC State by translating complex university priorities into clear, compelling communications and identifying opportunities to elevate the university's impact. You will serve as a trusted communications partner on high-profile and emerging issues, helping leaders and campus partners navigate moments that require clarity, coordination and thoughtful response. Your work will contribute to strengthening NC State's reputation, advancing its priorities and ensuring the university's voice is represented consistently and strategically across audiences and platforms.
Key Responsibilities:
- Promote and protect NC State's reputation statewide, regionally and nationally in partnership with University Communications and Marketing, colleagues across campus and university leadership.
- Develop strategic communications plans and materials, including key messages, scripts, website content, stakeholder announcements, presentations and other communications, including messaging for the Chancellor and other executive-level communicators.
- Partner on the university's issues management program by forecasting and triaging potential issues and executing appropriate internal and external communication strategies.
- Collaborate with University Communications and Marketing team members and senior communicators across NC State to support consistent, proactive outreach across media relations, research communications, social media and digital, marketing and creative teams.
- Contribute to the university's media training program and serve as a communications consultant to campus partners, including leadership, faculty and staff.
Other Work/Responsibilities:
- In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there may be occasional opportunities to take on additional duties. This offers an opportunity to build on your skills, explore new areas, and gain a deeper understanding of the department's operations.
Minimum Experience/Education:
- Bachelor's degree and three years of experience in the area of assignment, of which at least one is supervisory or in a lead-worker capacity; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
Required Qualifications:
- Demonstrated success developing and executing communications strategies and plans, particularly for complex, sensitive or high-visibility issues.
- Background managing communications related to crises, emergencies or emerging reputational issues, including appropriately handling sensitive information and developing timely internal and external responses in high-pressure situations.
- Ability to translate complex information and organizational priorities into clear, compelling messages for different audiences and platforms, including written materials and verbal communications.
- Experience delivering key messages to targeted audiences across multiple communications channels, including under tight deadlines or stressful circumstances.
- Track record of building trust, navigating differing perspectives, developing relationships with stakeholders at varying levels, and bringing people together around a shared communications approach or organizational priority.
- Demonstrated leadership of a communications team, project team or cross-functional effort toward a shared goal.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Research university experience: Understanding and appreciation for the mission, complexity and public impact of a major research university with a national and international presence.
Required License or Certification:
- N/A
AA/EEO Statement:
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.