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