North Carolina State University

Director of Public Relations

North Carolina State University • $88K — $105K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree with three years of relevant experience; at least one year in a supervisory role.
  • Proven track record in developing and executing communications strategies for complex issues.
  • Experience managing crisis communications and sensitive information.
  • Strong ability to translate complex university information into clear messages for diverse audiences.
  • Demonstrated leadership in guiding communication teams or cross-functional projects.

Responsibilities

  • Promote and protect NC State's reputation through proactive public relations efforts.
  • Develop strategic communications plans, messaging, and materials for university leadership.
  • Forecast and manage potential issues, contributing to the university's crisis communications strategy.
  • Collaborate with team members to ensure consistent outreach across various media and communication channels.
  • Provide media training and serve as a consultant for university partners on communication strategies.

Benefits

  • Flexible work schedule with onsite and some hybrid opportunities depending on needs.
  • Opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement in a dynamic environment.
  • Involvement in high-profile communications that shape the public perception of a renowned institution.
  • Engaging in collaborative projects with diverse departments and leadership within the university.
Full Job Description
Posting Details

Posting Information

Posting Number
PG194907EP

Internal Recruitment
No

Working Title
Director of Public Relations

Anticipated Hiring Range
Commensurate with education and experience.

Work Schedule
Core Business Hours: Monday - Friday; 8:00 am - 5:00 pm; this is an onsite role with flexibility and some hybrid options depending on business needs.

Job Location
Raleigh, NC

Department
University Communications and Marketing

Essential Job Duties

The Director of Public Relations, reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Integrated Strategic Communications, leads public relations efforts that shape and protect NC State's reputation across North Carolina and beyond. As a key member of University Communications and Marketing's news team, this role develops and advances proactive media opportunities, supports strategic communications for high-visibility university priorities and events, and partners on issues management and crisis communication. The Director works closely with university leadership, communicators across campus, and external media to ensure NC State's stories, priorities and perspectives are effectively represented.

In this role, you will help shape how audiences understand and experience NC State by translating complex university priorities into clear, compelling communications and identifying opportunities to elevate the university's impact. You will serve as a trusted communications partner on high-profile and emerging issues, helping leaders and campus partners navigate moments that require clarity, coordination and thoughtful response. Your work will contribute to strengthening NC State's reputation, advancing its priorities and ensuring the university's voice is represented consistently and strategically across audiences and platforms.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Promote and protect NC State's reputation statewide, regionally and nationally in partnership with University Communications and Marketing, colleagues across campus and university leadership.
  • Develop strategic communications plans and materials, including key messages, scripts, website content, stakeholder announcements, presentations and other communications, including messaging for the Chancellor and other executive-level communicators.
  • Partner on the university's issues management program by forecasting and triaging potential issues and executing appropriate internal and external communication strategies.
  • Collaborate with University Communications and Marketing team members and senior communicators across NC State to support consistent, proactive outreach across media relations, research communications, social media and digital, marketing and creative teams.
  • Contribute to the university's media training program and serve as a communications consultant to campus partners, including leadership, faculty and staff.


If you're ready to help shape the conversation around NC State and bring the university's stories, priorities and impact to audiences across North Carolina and beyond, we invite you to join our team.

Other Responsibilities
  • In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there may be occasional opportunities to take on additional duties. This offers an opportunity to build on your skills, explore new areas, and gain a deeper understanding of the department's operations.


Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience
  • Bachelor's degree and three years of experience in the area of assignment, of which at least one is supervisory or in a lead-worker capacity; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.


Other Required Qualifications
  • Demonstrated success developing and executing communications strategies and plans, particularly for complex, sensitive or high-visibility issues.
  • Background managing communications related to crises, emergencies or emerging reputational issues, including appropriately handling sensitive information and developing timely internal and external responses in high-pressure situations.
  • Ability to translate complex information and organizational priorities into clear, compelling messages for different audiences and platforms, including written materials and verbal communications.
  • Experience delivering key messages to targeted audiences across multiple communications channels, including under tight deadlines or stressful circumstances.
  • Track record of building trust, navigating differing perspectives, developing relationships with stakeholders at varying levels, and bringing people together around a shared communications approach or organizational priority.
  • Demonstrated leadership of a communications team, project team or cross-functional effort toward a shared goal.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Research university experience: Understanding and appreciation for the mission, complexity and public impact of a major research university with a national and international presence.


Required License(s) or Certification(s)
  • N/A


Valid NC Driver's License required
No

Commercial Driver's License required
No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date
09/23/2026

Anticipated Close Date
Open Until Filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please include as attachments a resume/CV, cover letter, and contact information for at least 3 professional references.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Position Details

Position Number
00108367

Position Type
EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)
1.00

Appointment
12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather
Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events
Mandatory - Fire/Explosions, Mandatory - Medical Emergencies, Mandatory - Hazardous Material Incidents, Mandatory - Transportation Accidents, Mandatory - Evacuations/Natural Hazards, Mandatory - Utilities/Infrastructure Failure, Mandatory - Threats of Violence/Terrorism/Interpersonal Emergencies

Department ID
281001 - Payroll

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or [email protected].

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

About North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University (NC State) is a public research university in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land-, sea-, and space-grant institution. The university forms one of the corners of the Research Triangle together with Duke University in Durham and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Enrollment is over 36,000 students. NC State was founded in 1887 as a land-grant institution.
Learn more about North Carolina State University

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