Senior Level Media Relations Specialist Jobs
Senior level media relations specialist jobs place experienced professionals in charge of earned media strategy, executive communications, and the campaigns and teams that shape how organizations are perceived publicly. Openings are concentrated in Non-Profit & Social Services, Education, and Science & Research, with a mix of on-site, remote, and hybrid roles available from employers like Emory Healthcare, Trend Micro, and Penn State University hiring at this level now.
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See related jobsAPPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants .
POSITION SPECIFICS
Penn State’s Office of Strategic Communications —the University’s central public relations and marketing division—is looking for an assistant director to join its issues and crisis communications team. Reporting to the team’s director and working closely with the vice president for strategic communications, the person in this position will research, plan, execute, and evaluate communications focused on crisis and issues management.
This is a hybrid position that combines remote and on-campus working. Evening and weekend hours will be required as needed.
This individual will be part of a talented team that provides University leadership with advice, guidance, and materials on issues of critical reputational importance to Penn State. The successful candidate will be a strategic leader who can work individually and as part of a team to proactively identify issues and assess their potential impact; respond to reputational challenges; provide direction and leadership to others; and develop and implement a communications strategy that is aligned with institutional priorities and provides accurate messaging on behalf of Penn State.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for:
- Working with others across the University to proactively and reactively identify and address issues; conduct research; and craft key messages, news releases, FAQs, communications plans, and other written materials
- Developing and implementing an issues management strategy that proactively identifies challenges on a local, regional, national, or global scale and can potentially impact the University or its constituents
- Creating communications plans, associated materials, and responses and p roviding updates, summaries, and post-event analysis and recommendations
- Monitoring news media, social media, and websites to identify issues and evaluate public/media perceptions
- Using strong analytical and issues-management skills to identify options, recommend tactics, and draft clear, concise responses and briefing communications for University leadership and others
- Working with news media and social media platforms to provide appropriate information and responses to inquiries and online conversations related to reputational topics and institutional priorities
In addition to working effectively with diverse stakeholders, the ideal candidate must be highly organized; pay strong attention to detail; be able to manage multiple priorities; and possess a solid work ethic, sound judgment, and strong problem-solving skills.
Preferred Skills and Experience
The ideal person for this position will:
- Have experience in issues and crisis communications and advising senior leaders on communications
- Possess superior writing, editing, and oral presentation skills
- Be able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment and respond quickly and professionally under pressure and in crisis situations
- Have the creative and political acuity to develop messaging and tactics suitable for executive-level communications
- Be able to work independently and as part of a team
- Have the a bility to consistently reinforce University messages across all media and audiences Be adept at working with others across the University to address, develop, support, and implement messaging and positioning for Penn State
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree
8+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
Required Certifications:
NoneAbout Penn State’s Office of Strategic Communications
As Penn State’s central public relations and marketing division, the Office of Strategic Communications is a fully integrated, award-winning, best-in-class marketing and public relations team defined by innovative strategy and breakthrough creative driven by measurable goals. We advance the University by strengthening and protecting the institution’s reputation in regional, national and international spheres of influence in ways that serve recruitment, resource and leadership goals.
Spanning Penn State’s large-scale enterprise—including campus locations across Pennsylvania, nearly 90,000 students, and an alumni base exceeding 800,000—the Office of Strategic Communications’ work encompasses all forms of communications and engagement, ranging from branding, marketing, and trademark and event management to internal communications, proactive and social media, research communications, and crisis and issues management. We’ve attracted talented and diverse team members from private and public sectors at all levels of our division, giving us the ability to build a strategic program of excellence recognized throughout the University.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $86,300.00 - $129,500.00.Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page .
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here .
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
Penn State Policies
Copyright Information
Hotlines
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants .
POSITION SPECIFICS
Penn State’s Office of Strategic Communications —the University’s central public relations and marketing division—is looking for an assistant director to join its issues and crisis communications team. Reporting to the team’s director and working closely with the vice president for strategic communications, the person in this position will research, plan, execute, and evaluate communications focused on crisis and issues management.
This is a hybrid position that combines remote and on-campus working. Evening and weekend hours will be required as needed.
This individual will be part of a talented team that provides University leadership with advice, guidance, and materials on issues of critical reputational importance to Penn State. The successful candidate will be a strategic leader who can work individually and as part of a team to proactively identify issues and assess their potential impact; respond to reputational challenges; provide direction and leadership to others; and develop and implement a communications strategy that is aligned with institutional priorities and provides accurate messaging on behalf of Penn State.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for:
- Working with others across the University to proactively and reactively identify and address issues; conduct research; and craft key messages, news releases, FAQs, communications plans, and other written materials
- Developing and implementing an issues management strategy that proactively identifies challenges on a local, regional, national, or global scale and can potentially impact the University or its constituents
- Creating communications plans, associated materials, and responses and p roviding updates, summaries, and post-event analysis and recommendations
- Monitoring news media, social media, and websites to identify issues and evaluate public/media perceptions
- Using strong analytical and issues-management skills to identify options, recommend tactics, and draft clear, concise responses and briefing communications for University leadership and others
- Working with news media and social media platforms to provide appropriate information and responses to inquiries and online conversations related to reputational topics and institutional priorities
In addition to working effectively with diverse stakeholders, the ideal candidate must be highly organized; pay strong attention to detail; be able to manage multiple priorities; and possess a solid work ethic, sound judgment, and strong problem-solving skills.
Preferred Skills and Experience
The ideal person for this position will:
- Have experience in issues and crisis communications and advising senior leaders on communications
- Possess superior writing, editing, and oral presentation skills
- Be able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment and respond quickly and professionally under pressure and in crisis situations
- Have the creative and political acuity to develop messaging and tactics suitable for executive-level communications
- Be able to work independently and as part of a team
- Have the a bility to consistently reinforce University messages across all media and audiences Be adept at working with others across the University to address, develop, support, and implement messaging and positioning for Penn State
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree
8+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
Required Certifications:
NoneAbout Penn State’s Office of Strategic Communications
As Penn State’s central public relations and marketing division, the Office of Strategic Communications is a fully integrated, award-winning, best-in-class marketing and public relations team defined by innovative strategy and breakthrough creative driven by measurable goals. We advance the University by strengthening and protecting the institution’s reputation in regional, national and international spheres of influence in ways that serve recruitment, resource and leadership goals.
Spanning Penn State’s large-scale enterprise—including campus locations across Pennsylvania, nearly 90,000 students, and an alumni base exceeding 800,000—the Office of Strategic Communications’ work encompasses all forms of communications and engagement, ranging from branding, marketing, and trademark and event management to internal communications, proactive and social media, research communications, and crisis and issues management. We’ve attracted talented and diverse team members from private and public sectors at all levels of our division, giving us the ability to build a strategic program of excellence recognized throughout the University.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $86,300.00 - $129,500.00.Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page .
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here .
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
Penn State Policies
Copyright Information
Hotlines
See All 5 Senior Level Media Relations Specialist Jobs
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Top Industries Hiring
- Non-Profit & Social Services
- Education
- Science & Research
- Technology & Software
- Healthcare & Medical Services
Senior Level Media Relations Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior level media relations specialist job?
Employers hiring at the senior level look for candidates who have owned media programs end to end, not just executed tactics. A portfolio of high-stakes placements, crisis communications experience, and demonstrated ability to build or manage a team carries the most weight. Relationships with national or trade media contacts and a history of advising senior leadership give candidates a clear edge at this stage.
Which companies hire senior level media relations specialists?
Companies hiring senior level media relations specialists right now include Emory Healthcare, Trend Micro, and Penn State University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Hiring at this level tends to come from large corporations managing complex reputational needs, fast-growing companies building out communications functions, and agencies serving clients with significant media exposure.
Are there remote senior level media relations specialist jobs?
Yes, remote and hybrid options are common at this level, though roles tied to executive proximity or crisis response often require some on-site presence. About 50% of senior level media relations specialist openings are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting broader communications industry flexibility for experienced professionals who can work independently and manage media activity without daily oversight.
What makes a media relations specialist role senior level?
Senior level roles are defined by ownership and scope. Where mid-level specialists pitch stories and manage coverage, senior specialists set the media strategy, advise executives on positioning, oversee messaging across channels, and are accountable for outcomes. They often manage junior team members or agency partners, lead crisis communications response, and operate as a strategic voice within the broader communications or marketing function.
Which industries hire the most senior level media relations specialists?
Senior Level media relations specialist roles concentrate in Non-Profit & Social Services, Education, and Science & Research, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. These sectors tend to drive hiring at this level because of high public visibility, regulatory scrutiny, or rapid growth that demands experienced communicators who can protect and advance organizational reputation with national and specialized press.