The Media Relations Manager will work with internal and external
stakeholders to identify opportunities to elevate the University’s
public reputation through proactive public relations initiatives,
earned media, and thought leadership. This position will be
responsible for telling Adler’s story in support of the
University’s enrollment, fundraising, and awareness goals by
engaging with American and Canadian local, regional, and national
media, as well as other key influencers. The Manager will partner
with members of the Communications & Marketing team to develop
and execute media distribution strategies and leverage content from
Adler’s owned channels.
The Media Relations Manager will also work closely with the
President and senior leadership to support the President’s
strategic priorities and identify opportunities to advance those
priorities through external communications, media relations, and
thought leadership. The Manager will provide strategic counsel,
performance analysis, and recommendations informed by industry
knowledge, media trends, and best practices.
This position will initially serve as an individual contributor and
will play a key role in rebuilding and strengthening Adler’s media
relations function. The Manager will establish effective processes,
develop and maintain media relationships, create a proactive media
relations strategy, and build the systems and practices needed to
support the function as it evolves.
Education/Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in English, journalism, communications,
marketing, or a related discipline from an accredited institution
of higher learning is required.
Minimum ten (10) years of experience in media relations and
content development is required.
Minimum five (5) years of Public Relations experience in higher
education, at a non-profit or marketing and communications agency,
is required.
Demonstrated success developing and implementing media
relations strategies with secured placements.
Established contacts and ability to cultivate new media
relationships.
Worked cross-functionally within an organization to develop and
implement high-impact public relations strategies.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Alignment with Adler University’s social interest mission and
commitment to advancing positive social change.
- Strong understanding of media relations, public relations, and
earned media strategies, with the ability to identify compelling
stories and translate complex academic, research, faculty, student,
and institutional work into accessible public narratives.
- Understanding of the higher education, nonprofit, and/or
professional education landscape, with the ability to identify
media opportunities that support enrollment, reputation,
fundraising, and institutional priorities.
- Ability to develop and maintain relationships with journalists,
editors, producers, and other media and industry influencers across
local, regional, and national markets in the United States and
Canada.
- Understanding of the distinct media, cultural, and higher
education environments in Adler’s key markets, including Chicago,
Vancouver and British Columbia, and the broader U.S. and Canadian
markets.
- Exceptional writing and editing skills, including experience
developing press releases, media pitches, talking points, bylined
articles, opinion pieces, executive communications, and other
external-facing content.
- Ability to work closely with the President, senior leaders,
faculty, staff, students, and subject matter experts to identify
stories, develop thought leadership opportunities, and prepare
individuals for media engagement.
- Ability to translate content across channels and collaborate
with social media, digital, marketing, and creative colleagues to
extend the reach and impact of earned media.
- Strong research and news judgment, including the ability to
identify emerging issues, trends, and timely opportunities relevant
to Adler’s mission, academic programs, research, and areas of
expertise.
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage
multiple priorities, deadlines, stakeholders, and external
relationships while maintaining a high standard of quality.
- Ability to develop meaningful performance measures and use
media analytics, coverage data, and other insights to evaluate
results and recommend improvements.
- Ability to work independently, establish priorities, build
effective processes, and operate successfully as an individual
contributor while rebuilding and strengthening the University’s
media relations function.
- Strong interpersonal, verbal, written, and listening skills,
with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences
across organizational levels and geographic locations.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Media Relations Strategy Development &
Implementation:
- Collaborates to elevate and enhance the University’s public
reputation through strategic earned media, thought leadership, and
other public relations initiatives, including secured speaking
engagements and award submissions, with measurable KPIs aligned
with larger communication efforts.
- Develops measurable objectives and processes to manage the
implementation of best-in-class media outreach programs.
- Understands media relations cycles and trends to inform
external storytelling opportunities.
- Engages with journalists to shape University news coverage,
proactively and reactively.
- Liaises with senior leadership and faculty on schedules to
proactively identify media opportunities coinciding with
travel.
- Partners with faculty, staff, students, and campus leadership
to develop opinion pieces and bylined articles for
dissemination.
- Prepares written press materials and collaborates with others
across Adler’s locations to develop additional collateral pieces as
needed, inclusive of design or videography.
- Provides basic media training tips and staffs interviews where
appropriate
Content Development & Analytics:
- Works with the enrollment marketing team, faculty, staff, and
students to identify, vet, develop, and disseminate impactful
stories externally that articulate the University’s value
proposition.
- Collaborates with Communications & Marketing team members
to execute against an editorial calendar, ideate ideas, and provide
additional relevant opportunities for content initiatives.
- Provides regular reporting on media relations placements and
other channels as needed to determine the success of initiatives,
identify gaps in content, and present solutions.
Work Environment (Physical Demands): The usual and customary
methods of performing the jobs functions require the following
physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling
and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires
80% sitting, 10% walking, and 10% standing. This job is performed
in a generally clean and healthy environment.
Salary Range: $80,000.00 - $90,000.00
Universal Core Behaviors:
Commitment to Adler’s Mission
- Acts with personal integrity, honesty, compassion. and
integrity in all professional responsibilities.
- Aligns professional actions with Adler’s commitment to
community-rooted education, research, and impact.
- Contributes to a culture that advances health, well-being, and
community connection — locally and globally.
- Respects and values colleagues and community partners.
Accountability and Excellence
- Demonstrates results-oriented focus and commitment to
quality.
- Consistently meets deadlines and delivers work of high
professional standard.
- Prioritizes service and responsiveness.
- Seeks opportunities to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and
resource use.
- Takes ownership of performance, seeks feedback, and accepts
responsibility for actions.
Communication
- Communicates with respect, diplomacy, and professionalism.
- Demonstrates active listening and comprehension.
- Expresses ideas clearly and effectively in both oral and
written forms.
- Keeps colleagues informed in a timely and transparent
manner.
Collaboration and Teamwork
- Actively contributes to and engages with colleagues, partners,
and communities.
- Builds relationships rooted in respect, empathy, and
trust.
- Demonstrates curiosity, courage, and integrity in guiding work
and decisions.
- Makes thoughtful, informed decisions that balance short-term
needs with long-term impact.
- Works cooperatively with colleagues to achieve collective
goals.
Adaptability and Lifelong Learning
- Approaches challenges with proactive problem-solving.
- Commits to lifelong learning by continuously developing skills,
knowledge, and effectiveness.
- Supports and adapts to evolving needs in the work
environment.
Partnership with Supervisors
- Engages supervisors as partners in achieving goals.
- Fosters open, respectful communication to maintain alignment
and clarity.
- Seeks guidance and feedback when appropriate while
demonstrating initiative and accountability.
Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of Adler University that all persons are entitled
to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) protection. The University
does not discriminate against any individual for employment because
of age, religion, race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual
orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, physical or
mental disability, military status (including unfavorable discharge
from the military), or any other category protected by federal,
state, or local law.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights
pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information,
please review the
Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
