Lead Writer and Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Spec, Sr

Requisition
Working Title Lead Writer and Public Relations Specialist
Position Grade 13

Do you love writing and working with the New Mexico media? If so, Project ECHO has an open position that would be a good fit for you!

• Lead writer for all external communications, including stories, Impact Report and news releases.
• New Mexico media manager: proactive pitching, relationship development with local news outlets, timely response to media inquiries, media training and monitoring of media publications.
• Project manager for the annual Impact Report: coordinating concept pitches, writing, photos, videos, testimonials, data, design, development, analytics and data‑based decision making.
• Beat reporter for New Mexico: finding and writing stories about local ECHO programs and their impact and profiling leaders.
• Website management: creating and updating content within projectecho.unm.edu CMS, following accessibility and SEO best practices.
• Dissemination of authored content: creating content for social media, newsletters, emails and other distribution channels.
• Photography: capturing photos to accompany written content, developing a photo database, maintaining a user‑friendly database with captioning information.
• Videography: developing and coordinating video projects on an as‑needed basis with support from videographer/video editor.
• General communications support: responding to urgent and strategic needs within the Communications team as business needs shift.
• Liaison with The University of New Mexico’s Health Sciences Center and the broader UNM community.

High school diploma or GED; at least 7 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified. Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

• Excellent writing and editing skills
• Experience with journalism
• Experience with project management
• Experience working with diverse, international stakeholders
• Experience working in a matrixed work environment
• Experience taking and editing photographs
• Experience working with content management systems
• Experience with SEO

Campus Health Sciences Center (HSC) – Albuquerque, NM
Department Project ECHO (259B)

Employment Type

Staff
Staff Type Term – Full‑Time
Term End Date 06/30/2026
Status Exempt
Pay Monthly: $4,236.27 – $5,950.53
Benefits Eligible:
This is a benefits eligible position. The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs. See the home page for more information. ERB Statement:
As a condition of employment, eligible employees working greater than .25 FTE as determined by the New Mexico Education Retirement Act must make mandatory retirement contributions. For more information, review the grid. Background Check

Required:

Yes. For Best Consideration Date: 11/7/2025. Eligible for Remote Work:
Yes. Eligible for Remote Work Statement:
This position is eligible for hybrid remote work within the state of New Mexico.

Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, to submit an application. Please submit a cover letter, current resume, and three writing samples. On the resume, include month and year of start and end dates for each job listed. Please indicate whether previous jobs listed were full‑time or part‑time.

If part‑time, include number of hours worked per week. Instructions for cover letter: please describe how you meet the preferred qualifications in the posting. Official transcripts, High School Diploma or GED certificate may be required for hire. Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre‑employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment.

For more information about background checks, visit . Refer to for a definition of Regular Staff.

University of New Mexico