Staff - Non UnionJob CategoryM&P - AAPSJob ProfileAAPS Salaried - Information Services, Level BJob TitleMedia Relations StrategistDepartmentUBCO | Public Affairs | University RelationsCompensation Range$7,158.42 - $10,292.25 CAD MonthlyThe Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.Posting End DateSeptember 30, 2026Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.Job End DateOngoingAt UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.JOB SUMMARYThis position performs a wide variety of media and public relations tasks designed to enhance the university's reputation by communicating activities, facilities, services, goals and objectives to audiences at the local, regional, provincial, national and international levels, as well as to faculty, staff and students.The position works proactively and through relationships: building trust with faculty, staff and students in order to surface stories at the source rather than waiting for them to be brought forward, and building trust with journalists, editors, producers, independent writers and digital creators to place those stories where audiences actually are.The role covers both established news outlets and emerging channels, including podcasts, independent newsletters, digital publications and creator led media, and it looks for opportunities to tell stories visually as well as in writing.ORGANIZATIONAL STATUSReports to the Director, Public Affairs. This position works with independence and maintains close working relationships with deans, department heads, faculty and administrative unit communicators, researchers, staff and students across the UBC Okanagan campus, and with Media Relations colleagues on the UBC Vancouver campus.WORK PERFORMEDMedia relationships and outreachDevelops and sustains positive working relationships with journalists, editors, producers and assignment desks across print, broadcast and digital outletsDevelops relationships with independent journalists, newsletter writers, podcast hosts, documentary producers, digital publishers and subject matter creators whose audiences align with UBC Okanagan's areas of strengthProactively pitches story ideas, tailoring the approach, format and supporting material to the norms of each outlet or channelResponds to media inquiries, refers media to appropriate experts or other sources of information, and provides factual background informationBuilds and maintains UBC Okanagan's experts list and media contact lists,



including contacts in new and emerging mediaTracks how relevant outlets, formats and audiences are shifting, and adjusts outreach approaches accordinglyPlans, organizes and conducts news conferences, media availabilities, campus visits and other events as required in conjunction with senior university administrators, faculty and outside organizations, including various levels of governmentPromotes UBC Okanagan research, people and events at local, provincial, national and international levelsCampus relationships and story developmentEstablishes and maintains ongoing relationships with deans, department heads, campus communicators, faculty, researchers, staff and students in order to proactively identify stories early and consistentlyMeets regularly with faculties, research units and student groups to understand their work, build familiarity and proactively surface newsworthy activity rather than waiting for it to be submittedProvides media coaching and preparation to faculty, staff and students, including guidance on interviews, podcast appearances and other long form or conversational formatsProvides factual background information and actively promotes story ideas across campusWorks with researchers proactively to identify the public interest in their work and shape it into stories suited to a general audienceContent in support of outreachResearches and writes media releases, pitches, backgrounders, key messages and short form content in support of media and public relations activityIdentifies opportunities to tell stories visually, and works with creative services colleagues to develop video, photography and other visual assets that strengthen pitches and support coveragePrepares supporting material appropriate to the channel, which may include audio, video, photography, other visual assets or written briefing material, developed in coordination with colleaguesEnsures material meets UBC brand standards and aligns with campus priorities and UBC Okanagan's strategic planReporting and coordinationCoordinates with Media Relations in Vancouver to report on quarterly statistics and high impact stories for internal reportingMonitors and reports on coverage across traditional and emerging channels, and contributes to the ongoing assessment of which approaches are reaching intended audiencesParticipates in university committees and working groups, as requiredOther duties, as requiredCONSEQUENCE OF ERROR/JUDGEMENTThis position is expected to function with a high degree of autonomy and independence, working under broad guidelines. The consequence of error in this area could be very serious for the university as it concerns the public image and profile of the UBC Okanagan campus on a provincial, national and international level.



Incorrect or insufficient information and advice subsequently passed on to senior administration could have grave consequences. The position must exercise tact, diplomacy and discretion when working with confidential or sensitive information. Judgment about which outlets, journalists and creators are credible and appropriate partners for the university is a significant element of the role.SUPERVISION RECEIVEDReports to the Director, Public Affairs and works under broad guidelines with minimal technical guidance.SUPERVISION GIVENNone. May provide direction to work-study students or co-op students assigned to specific projects.QUALIFICATIONSMinimumUndergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum five years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's ownDemonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusionPreferredUndergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (e.G., journalism, communications, public relations, English, marketing). Relevant graduate-level education will be considered an asset.Demonstrated experience, in journalism, media relations or public relations, including demonstrated experience pitching and placing stories.Experience at a post-secondary institution or large, multi-faceted organization considered an assetExperience working with digital, independent or creator led media, such as podcasts, independent newsletters or digital first publications, considered an assetDemonstrated experience with visual storytelling, including video, photography or short form vertical content, considered a significant assetDemonstrated ability to work proactively, identifying and pursuing story opportunities rather than responding only to incoming requestsDemonstrated ability to build and sustain professional relationships across a range of internal and external audiencesStrong interviewing and listening skills, with the ability to draw out the substance of complex or technical work and identify its public interestDemonstrated understanding of the principles and practices of media relations, communications, new media, public engagement and stakeholder relationsAbility to identify communications opportunities and select the most effective channel, format or tactic for a situationSound judgment in assessing the credibility and suitability of outlets, journalists and creators as partners for the universitySuperior oral, interpersonal and presentation skillsDemonstrated ability to write clearly and quickly for a range of audiences and formats, with robust attention to spelling, grammar and accuracyAdvanced understanding of digital and social media platforms and content strategies, including visual and video first formatsAbility to determine the nature and urgency of inquiries and issues, and triage appropriatelyAbility to work effectively under pressure to meet deadlinesAbility to work effectively independently and within a team environmentAbility to work effectively with various levels of senior administration and university personnel at both campuse.

📌 Media Relations Strategist (Kelowna)
🏢 University of British Columbia
📍 Kelowna