Writer & Media Relations Specialist

Furman University•Lexington, MA

68d•Onsite

About The Position

As a member of University Marketing & Communications at Furman University, the Writer & Media Relations Specialist is responsible for writing and editing news content, feature stories and copy across multiple mediums, and for proactive and responsive Media Relations with the goal of illustrating the impact of Furman University and its students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and the broader community. The Writer & Media Relations Specialist creates and edits content for a wide range of print and digital communications, including magazine stories, news releases, marketing and advertising materials, web and social content, internal communications and presentations — adapting tone, format and length to fit the platform and the audience, from a long-form magazine feature to a short-form social caption built for the scroll. The Writer & Media Relations Specialist reports to the Director of Content Strategy and partners with departmental leadership, faculty and staff of the university in developing story ideas and editorial strategy. In addition to storytelling, the Writer & Media Relations Specialist provides daily media relations support under the direction of the Vice President and Assistant Vice President for University Communications — serving as a steady, trusted voice for Furman with reporters and media outlets, and helping protect and build the university’s reputation with both internal and external audiences. The Writer & Media Relations Specialist collaborates with all members of the University Marketing & Communications team, and with Furman faculty and staff, to deliver creative, accurate and compelling stories. The Writer & Media Relations Specialist is a proven expert in Associated Press style, feature writing and news writing, with the versatility to write well for any channel Furman’s story needs to reach.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, communications or a related field.
5 or more years of professional writing and editing experience, preferably in journalism, higher education communications or content marketing.
Proven expertise in Associated Press style, feature writing and news writing.
Experience providing media relations support — responding to reporter inquiries, drafting statements and talking points, and representing an organization’s voice accurately and calmly under deadline pressure.
Demonstrated ability to write effectively across multiple formats and platforms — print, web, social, video scripts and advertising copy.
Working understanding of how content performs across digital and social platforms, and comfort adapting long-form writing for short-form, platform-native consumption.
Familiarity with generative AI tools and their appropriate, responsible use in a writing and editorial workflow.
Excellent interviewing skills and the ability to build trust quickly with faculty, staff, students, alumni and donors.
Strong collaborative instincts, with the ability to take and give constructive feedback across a team of writers, editors and designers.
Exceptional attention to detail, with strong fact-checking and proofreading skills.
Ability to manage multiple deadlines and shifting priorities in a fast-paced newsroom-style environment.

Nice To Haves

Writing samples (a mix of long-form and short-form/digital work is preferred)

Responsibilities

Write and edit news content, feature stories, profiles and institutional narratives that illustrate the impact of Furman University and its people.
Create and edit copy for a wide range of print and digital communications, including magazine stories, news releases, marketing and advertising materials, internal communications and executive presentations.
Interview faculty, staff, students, alumni and donors to source original, accurate and compelling stories.
Apply Associated Press style consistently, along with Furman’s house style and editorial standards, across all written content.
Provide daily media relations support on behalf of the university, under the direction of the Assistant Vice President for University Communications — including responding to reporter inquiries, coordinating interview requests and drafting statements and talking points.
Serve as a trusted, front-line point of contact for media, representing Furman with professionalism, accuracy and care in every interaction.
Monitor daily news and media coverage of Furman, proactively flagging emerging stories, risks and opportunities to the Assistant Vice President and Director of Content Strategy.
Help shape and protect Furman’s reputation with both internal audiences (faculty, staff, students) and external audiences (media, prospective students, alumni, donors and the broader public), ensuring consistent, accurate messaging across every touchpoint.
Support the university’s response to sensitive or time-sensitive situations by drafting clear, accurate communications quickly, escalating appropriately to the Assistant Vice President.
Adapt stories and messaging across mediums — print, web, social, video scripts and advertising — tailoring tone, length and format to fit each platform and audience.
Write and edit web and social copy with an understanding of how content is discovered and consumed online, including search visibility (SEO/AEO/GEO) and platform-specific best practices for social and digital engagement.
Draft scripts and copy for video, podcast and other emerging storytelling formats as Furman’s communications channels evolve.
Use available data and performance insights — in partnership with digital and marketing colleagues — to inform how stories are framed, formatted and distributed across channels.
Partner with the Director of Content Strategy and UMC leadership to develop story ideas, editorial calendars and content strategy that align with institutional priorities.
Collaborate with colleagues across University Marketing & Communications — including design, digital strategy and social media — to ensure stories are told cohesively across every channel.
Work closely with Furman faculty, staff and campus partners to identify newsworthy stories and ensure accuracy and appropriate context in coverage.
Contribute to brainstorming and planning for major institutional storytelling initiatives, campaigns and special publications.
Adapt the tone of writing to ensure messages are effectively targeted toward specific audiences — prospective students, alumni, donors, faculty/staff or the broader public — while maintaining a consistent institutional voice.
Serve as a steward of Furman’s editorial voice and style standards, helping ensure consistency across contributors and channels.
Fact-check and proofread content to ensure accuracy, clarity and adherence to AP and Furman house style.
Manage multiple writing assignments and deadlines simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Use generative AI tools responsibly and selectively — for research support, brainstorming or first-draft acceleration — while ensuring all published work reflects original reporting, editorial judgment and Furman’s authentic voice.
Stay current on trends in journalism, digital storytelling and higher education communications, bringing fresh ideas back to the team.
Perform other duties as assigned.