Public Relations Strategist – Contract

About the role We are looking for a skilled and strategic Public Relations Strategist to join our marketing team. In this role, you will lead earned media efforts that elevate the visibility and credibility of Core’s partner institutions. You will be responsible for developing and executing media strategies, crafting compelling narratives, and securing meaningful press coverage that aligns with institutional goals and supports enrollment growth. You will work in close collaboration with marketing, content, and leadership teams to ensure messaging is clear, differentiated, and positioned effectively across media channels. This is a contract position with 10–20 hours per week with flexible hours – project-based assignments – no current scheduled commitments. What you'll do Develop and execute earned media strategies that align with institutional priorities, brand positioning, and campaign objectives Identify, research, and pitch story opportunities to relevant media outlets, journalists, and industry publications Write and distribute press releases, media advisories, and thought leadership content Build and maintain relationships with media contacts to secure consistent and high-quality coverage Collaborate with internal teams to uncover compelling stories across programs, faculty, outcomes, and innovation initiatives Monitor media coverage and report on performance, reach, and impact of PR efforts Provide guidance on media positioning, messaging, and narrative development Stay informed on higher education trends, media landscape shifts, and competitive positioning Aligning PR efforts with SEO and GEO strategies, including optimizing press content for search visibility and authority building Qualifications 3–6 years of experience in public relations, communications, or earned media strategy Proven success securing media coverage and building relationships with journalists and outlets Strong writing and storytelling skills with experience in press releases, pitches, and thought leadership Aptitude for crafting clear, differentiated messaging from complex or evolving inputs Able to receive constructive feedback and adapt to client and stakeholder needs Experience working across multiple brands or clients preferred Familiarity with SEO principles and how earned media contributes to search visibility is a plus Strong communication and collaboration skills across cross-functional teams Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines Education and Experience Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, journalism, or equivalent experience Three to six years of experience in public relations or earned media