Manager, Media Relations

Medical University of South Carolina•Charleston, SC

About The Position

The Media Relations Manager advances and protects MUSC’s reputation by contributing to proactive public relations strategy and executing high-level reactive media relations across clinical, academic, research and enterprise priorities. The position serves as a primary contact for journalists, identifies earned media opportunities, leads day-to-day media engagement, prepares spokespeople and subject matter experts, supports issues and crisis response, and uses media intelligence and performance data to inform decisions and strengthen results. The role calls for the ownership, pace and judgment of an experienced public relations professional. The manager handles multiple priorities and stakeholder relationships, develops proactive media approaches, and provides counsel and execution for reactive inquiries and emerging issues. The position works within processes established by senior communications leadership and collaborates with communications, marketing, content, regional, clinical, academic, research, legal and operational partners. The manager serves as a primary media relations representative and, as appropriate, a designated spokesperson. Responsibilities include handling media inquiries, preparing and coordinating spokespeople and interviews, creating media-facing materials, maintaining journalist relationships, developing proactive story opportunities, supporting crisis communications, and monitoring and reporting media activity. The role also leads media relations for Board of Trustees activity and may require occasional travel to off-site MUSC locations. This position requires statewide travel as needed, prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer, and the ability to lift up to 15 pounds. The employee may need to kneel, squat or stand for extended periods to support on-site media activity or capture images.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, communications or a related field.
At least seven years of related work experience is required.
Proven public relations and media relations experience, including success managing proactive and reactive assignments in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment.
Ability to contribute to strategy while independently driving execution across multiple concurrent priorities.
Expertise in media inquiry management, message development, pitching, interview coordination and spokesperson preparation.
Strong news judgment and initiative in monitoring media, recognizing opportunities and risks, and recommending timely action.
Ability to build trusted relationships with journalists, leaders, subject matter experts and cross-functional partners.
Excellent writing and editing skills, with a strong command of grammar and AP style.
Strong project management, organization and follow-through, including managing deadlines, approvals and stakeholder expectations.
Ability to remain composed, responsive and accurate during breaking news, sensitive issues and crisis situations.
Proficiency with media monitoring, database, analytics and reporting tools.
Working knowledge of AI tools and ability to use and develop those capabilities while maintaining accuracy, consistency and professional discernment.
Collaborative, solutions-oriented approach with strong judgment, curiosity, adaptability and attention to detail.
Ability to travel statewide to media outlets, events and regions as needed.
Ability to lift up to 15 pounds at a time.
May be required to kneel, squat or stand for extended periods to support on-site media activity or capture images.

Nice To Haves

Seven years of related work experience is preferred.
Agency, health care, higher education or similarly complex organizational experience is preferred.
Experience with media tools such as Meltwater, Muckrack, Talkwalker and Google Alerts.
Working knowledge of AI tools such as Copilot, Claude and ChatGPT.

Responsibilities

Serve as a primary media relations representative and designated spokesperson when appropriate, providing responsive, accurate and professional service to journalists and internal partners.
Manage media inquiries from intake through resolution, including assessment, subject matter expert identification and preparation, logistics, interviews and follow-up.
Write and distribute press releases, media alerts, pitches, responses, statements, talking points, Q&A documents and other media-facing materials aligned with MUSC messages and AP style.
Cultivate relationships with local, statewide and targeted national media and maintain knowledge of reporters, outlets, beats and current interests.
Prepare media briefings and provide interview preparation or media refreshers for leaders, spokespeople and subject matter experts.
Receive and escort media on campus and at off-site events; supervise in-person and virtual interviews.
Manage assignments, deadlines and stakeholder expectations with sound judgment, attention to detail and follow-through.
Participate in the on-call rotation, including after-hours and weekend coverage, for urgent or breaking media inquiries.
Coordinate media relations activities with regional health network leaders and enterprise partners.
Lead media relations for external communications related to Board of Trustees activity, including agenda distribution, message preparation, press releases, media attendance coordination, issues support and on-site media management.
Contribute to annual and initiative-specific public relations and media relations strategies, including goals, audiences, story platforms, tactics and key performance indicators.
Translate organizational priorities into proactive earned media opportunities and executable pitch plans.
Monitor the news cycle, media landscape, industry trends and cultural conversations to identify opportunities, risks and areas where MUSC expertise may add value.
Develop story angles and targeted pitches, recommending outlets, reporters, spokespeople and timing.
Collaborate with communications, marketing, content, social media and regional partners on integrated approaches and story development.
Prepare for planning meetings and contribute ideas to a forward-looking pipeline of proactive opportunities.
Manage reactive media response during crises, sensitive matters and emerging issues with communications leadership and relevant legal, clinical, academic and operational partners.
Provide media relations counsel, assess reputational implications and recommend response approaches within enterprise protocols.
Draft and coordinate timely, accurate and transparent media and public-facing messages, statements, talking points and Q&A materials.
Monitor media and the environment during issues and crises; synthesize developments, coverage and stakeholder questions for communications leadership.
Monitor and report on crisis communications activity and media coverage during and after crises; document impact and outcomes.
Maintain crisis response documentation, message archives and scenario-based materials, and support improvements to crisis protocols and workflows.
Coordinate FOIA-related media response activities with legal and communications leadership.
Conduct daily media, topical and environmental monitoring and elevate significant findings with context and recommended actions.
Maintain media lists, pitch trackers, inquiry logs and other working records.
Contribute to daily, weekly, quarterly and annual reporting, including media coverage reports and dashboards.
Analyze coverage and media relations results, identify patterns and lessons, and recommend improvements to strategy and execution.
Communicate concise, decision-useful insights to communications leadership and relevant partners.
Perform other duties as assigned.