Media Relations Strategist

**Department** VER Strategic Communications

**Salary range** $68,101 to $113,509

**Posted date** July 10, 2025

**Closing date** July 17, 2025

**Position Type** Full Time - Operating Funded

**Description**:
This position is part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

In accordance with the Administrative and Professional Officer Agreement, this position has a comprehensive benefits package and an annual salary range of $68,101 to $113,509.

**Location** - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person work at Enterprise Square.

**Working at the University of Alberta**
- The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community._

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

**Working for the Strategic Communications**

The Strategic Communications portfolio enables the University of Alberta to deliver on the vision and goals outlined in the university’s strategic plan. We illustrate the value that the U of A provides to our community and to society as a whole.

In service of the University strategy, we work with academic and operational leaders to tie their operational and strategic plans into the larger university strategy in a way that moves the dial on important measures of success. As a centre of expertise, we view our communications from end to end throughout the life cycles of our important communities. We integrate the seemingly disparate initiatives into a master narrative that showcases the unique aspects of the University of Alberta.

Whether we work directly with partners on their initiatives, or support their work through portfolio-initiated projects, we connect the dots from strategies across the institution - especially where they connect to the larger institutional goals - and draw them together into a compelling and consistent narrative of one of the Top 5 universities in Canada.

**Position Summary**

Reporting to the Director, Content Generation and Media Relations in the External Relations portfolio, the Media Relations Strategist is responsible for telling the university's story to the world, as per the university's strategic plan. The Media Relations Strategist accomplishes this goal primarily by implementing thoughtful and strategic media relations strategies across a plethora of platforms, from traditional media releases and content marketing to managing online reputation and brand identity.

In all facets of this role, the Media Relations Strategist endeavors to integrate, communicate and advance the University’s commitments to equity, diversity and inclusivity.

This position understands, fulfills, and promotes the health, safety and environment responsibilities identified in university policy.

**Duties**
- Through proactive media relations, augmenting the university's local, national and international reputation and visibility by pitching stories about the research and other activities happening at the U of A to external media around the world.
- Measuring and evaluating the success of media relations strategies to achieve the goal of having the university's key messages well reflected in all external media stories.
- Updating and revising the media relations strategies as appropriate to reflect changing priorities, based on evidence, such as sentiment or metrics analysis of external news stories and research of best practices, such as appropriate tactics to use in reputation management, and issues management.
- Ensuring effective packaging and delivery of communications - proactively promoting planned and opportunistic stories and messages that advance the university's reputation and strategic plan, and helping to manage issues.
- Producing news stories that reflect the wide scope and breadth of research and other activities at the University of Alberta. Is responsible for distributing those stories as widely as possible through associated social media channels, the university's social media channels and by pitching the stories to traditional media.
- Establishing and maintaining relationships with media professionals and working collaboratively with the University of Alberta Marketing and Communications’ Partners and Centres of Expertise to ensure consistent strategy and aligning priorities and promoting traditional media coverage.
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