Assistant Director of Media Relations

Job Description

The Assistant Director of Media Relations works to implement the universitys central media relations strategy with a focus on elevating Virginia Techs leadership faculty expertise research discoveries and student achievements.

The Assistant Director reports to the Associate Director of Media Relations and collaborates with other members of the Media Relations team and colleagues across the university to find and facilitate national international trade and high-impact regional and local media opportunities.

The Assistant Director is responsible for developing and implementing the regional media strategy. He/she regularly interviews faculty members; writes and edits tip sheets news releases and advisories; develops targeted media lists pitches stories and schedules interviews. He/she works across all of Virginia Techs campuses to engage in message preparation and training for faculty and leadership and to facilitate the needs of visiting media on campus. The Assistant Director works with campus marketing and communications professionals to build media amplification plans and help them achieve media relations goals. He/she will work with the Associate Director of Media Relations and the central metrics team to assess and show the impact of media efforts.

The Assistant Director also assists with managing news conferences editorial meetings and other media events and opportunities as needed. He/she may be requested by the Associate Director of Media Relations to represent Media Relations interests in strategic messaging and crisis communications meetings.

The Assistant Director maintains a flexible work schedule responsive to the needs of media outlets and broadcast schedules. Occasional night and weekend assignments are likely. Occasional travel may be required for media training news events and other opportunities.

Required Qualifications

Masters degree in a job-related field; or Bachelors degree with professional experience equating to an advanced degree.

Professional experience working in media relations or journalism.

Knowledge of media and media trends.

Familiarity with media and target audience performance metrics.

Demonstrated excellence in writing and editing.

Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities.

Proven ability to foster and maintain effective collaborative relationships with the news media and university community.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience working in a print online or broadcast newsroom.

Prior experience working in higher education marketing or communications.

Knowledge of AP Style.

Experience handling sensitive and confidential information with appropriate discretion.

Proficient in technology social media platforms and current industry digital applications and platforms.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$62000 - $72000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

September 30th 2026

Additional Information

Uncommon Work Schedule (Rotating Shifts Weekend Nights)

Occasional regional and/or national travel required for news events interviews and conferences which may include overnights and weekends.

Ability to work occasional nights and weekends responding to news and media requests for interviews and/or participation in college or university programs.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its mottoUt Prosim(That I May Serve) Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world Virginia Tech is aninclusive communitydedicated to knowledge discovery and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36000 undergraduate graduate and professional students in eightundergraduate colleges aschool of medicine aveterinary medicinecollegeGraduate School andHonors university has a significant presence across Virginia including Blacksburg the greater Washington D.C. area the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke sites in Newport News and Richmond and numerousExtension officesandresearch institutes.A leading global research institution Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.