Media Relations Specialist

Responsibilities

• Writes and promotes Rice news releases, news stories, media advisories and faculty subject matter expert alerts for media outlets.
• Cultivates relationships with faculty, staff, students and other sources to generate compelling stories and expert commentary.
• Proactively pitches stories, research, expertise and news tips about Rice to reporters, editors and producers.
• Responds to media requests and identifies and maintains professional relationships with key media and community leaders.
• Uses social media to support and promote Rice’s external media efforts.
• Tracks and reports media placements.
• Assists with the department’s editing needs.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree
• In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
• Three or more (3+) years of related professional experience in journalism, public relations or STEM-related field.
• Able to write concisely and accurately explain complex STEM subjects in a way that makes them interesting and informative to news media personnel and understandable to laypersons.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Able to work in a deadline-driven, results-oriented environment with media and public relations professionals and with a wide variety of clients, including Rice faculty, administrators and students.
• Able to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously with minimal supervision, adhering to priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Strong knowledge of Associated Press style.
• Strong computer skills, including the responsible use of artificial intelligence.
• Social media skills.