About the Role
<p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><div><div><p><span><span>The Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia seeks </span><span>a </span><span>Public</span><span> Relations</span><span> Manager. </span></span><span> </span></p><p></p></div><div><p><b><span>About UVA and the Batten School </span></b><span> </span></p></div><div><p><span><span>The University of Virginia (UVA), founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, is a top-ranked public institution known for academic excellence, a vibrant community, and a commitment to leadership and service. </span></span><span> </span></p><p></p></div><div><p><span><span>The Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, </span><span>established</span><span> in 2007, prepares students to become principled, results-oriented leaders who can work across differences to solve society’s most pressing challenges. By blending rigorous academics, innovative research, and real-world problem-solving, Batten equips graduates with the skills and vision to create positive change in the public and private sectors. </span></span><span> </span></p><p></p></div><div><p><b><span>Position Overview </span></b><span> </span></p></div><div><p></p><p><span><span>The </span><span>Public Relations</span><span> Manager </span><span>is responsible for</span><span> shaping, strengthening, and protecting the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy’s external voice through strategic storytelling, earned media, writing, and </span><span>issues</span><span> management. This role serves as both a storyteller and a steward to amplify Batten’s mission while ensuring that all communications reflect the </span><span>School’s</span><span> commitment to nonpartisan leadership and public good. </span></span><span> </span></p><p></p></div><div><p><span><span>The ideal candidate is a talented, versatile writer with </span><span>demonstrated</span><span> experience conducting detailed research and </span><span>maintaining</span><span> the highest level of factual accuracy and clarity across all content. They </span><span>possess</span><span> strong contextual judgment and editorial discernment, navigating complex or sensitive topics with nuance and care. </span></span><span> </span></p></div><div><p></p><p><span><span>As a relationship builder and listener, the </span><span>Public Relations</span><span> </span><span>Manager is deeply connected across the </span><span>School</span><span> with the people, programs, and ideas that make Batten exceptional. They proactively surface stories that inspire, inform, and advance the </span><span>School’s</span><span> reputation among external audiences, while cultivating and managing relationships with media partners to expand Batten’s visibility and impact. </span></span></p><p><span> </span></p></div><div><p><span><span>Reporting to the Associate Director of Content, this role provides both strategic input and hands-on execution in media relations, newsletters, and external communications. </span></span><span> </span></p></div><div><p></p><p><b><span>Key Responsibilities</span></b><span><span> </span></span><span> </span></p></div><div><ul><li><span><span>Coordinate all public relations activities </span><span>and develop a media relations strategy</span><span> for UVA Batten</span></span><span> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span><span>Build and </span><span>maintain</span><span> strong relationships with media and press outlets</span></span><span> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span><span>Manage media inquiries and interview requests</span></span><span> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span><span>Develop story ideas and provide strategic recommendations for earned media, while personally writing and distributing press releases, op-eds, and external announcements</span></span><span> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span><span>Monitor communications trends and proactively develop </span><span>timely</span><span>, relevant responses and content</span></span><span> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span><span>Support crisis communications, issues management, and reputation safeguarding</span></span><span> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span><span>Partner with faculty, students, and alumni to </span><span>identify</span><span> storytelling opportunities that raise the school’s profile</span></span><span> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span><span>Manage end-to-end execution of Batten’s newsletters, including: </span></span><span> </span></li></ul></div></div><div><div><ul><li><span><span>Batten Newsletter (biweekly) </span></span><span> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span><span>Research and Insights Newsletter (2–3 times per year) </span></span><span> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span><span>Ensure alignment of communications with </span><span>UVA </span><span>Batten’s mission, voice, and brand identity</span></span><span><span> </span></span></li></ul><p><span><span> </span></span><span> </span></p></div><div><p><b><span>Minimum Qualifications</span></b><span> </span></p></div><div><ul><li><span><span>Education: Bachelor's degree </span><span>required</span></span><span> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span><span>Experience: 3+ years of relevant experience in communications, media relations, or public affairs</span></span><span> </span></li></ul><p></p></div><div><p><b><span>Preferred Qualifications</span></b><span> </span></p></div><div><ul><li><span><span>Experience with Meltwater and Salesforce software, including Marketing Cloud</span></span><span> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span><span>Strong writing and editing skills, with proven ability to craft press materials and public statements</span></span><span> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span><span>Meticulous approach to research, writing, and fact-checking to ensure all communications uphold the highest standards of accuracy and credibility </span></span><span> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span><span>Ability to navigate complex or controversial subjects with nuance and sound judgment, ensuring content consistently reflects the Batten School’s commitment to nonpartisan leadership and public good</span></span><span> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span><span>Strong relationships with both local and national business and industry media outlets</span></span><span> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span><span>Ability to balance strategic input with tactical execution</span></span><span> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span><span>Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or mission-driven settings preferred</span></span><span> </span></li></ul></div><div><p></p><p><b><span>Physical Demands</span></b><span> </span></p></div><div><p><span><span>This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.</span></span><span> </span></p></div><div><p></p><p><span><span>The </span><span>anticipated</span><span> hiring range is $60,000–$</span><span>70</span><span>,000, </span><span>commensurate</span><span> with education and experience.</span></span><span> </span></p></div><div><p></p><p><span><span>This is an exempt-level, </span><span>benefited</span><span> position. Learn more about </span></span><a href="https://hr.virginia.edu/benefits" target="_blank"><u><span>UVA benefits</span></u></a><span><span>.</span></span><span> </span></p></div><div><p></p><p><span><span>This position is based in Charlottesville, VA, and is eligible for a hybrid schedule of 3 days on grounds per week, with </span><span>additional</span><span> on-site presence as needed, </span><span>in accordance with</span><span> UVA’s remote work guidelines.</span></span><span> </span></p></div></div><div><div><p></p><p><span><span>To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit </span></span><a href="http://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville" target="_blank"><u><span>UVA Life</span></u></a><span><span> and </span></span><a href="https://embarkcva.com/" target="_blank"><u><span>Embark CVA</span></u></a><span><span>.</span></span><span> </span></p></div><div><p></p><p><span><span>Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.</span></span><span> </span></p><p></p></div><div><p><span><span>This position will not consider candidates who </span><span>require</span><span> immigration sponsorship now or in the future. </span></span></p><p></p></div><div><p><b><span>How to Apply </span></b><span> </span></p></div><div><p><span><span>Please apply </span></span><a href="http://jobs.virginia.edu/us/en" target="_blank"><u><span>online</span></u></a><span><span>, by searching for requisition number R0077288. Complete an application with the </span>required <span>following documents: </span></span><span> </span></p></div><div><ul><li><span><span>Resume </span></span><span> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span><span>Cover Letter</span></span><span> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span><span>5 Writing Samples (such as articles, press releases, publications, etc.)</span></span><span> </span></li></ul></div><div><p></p><p><span><span>Upload all materials into the resume submission field. You can </span><span>submit</span><span> multiple documents into </span><span>this one</span><span> field or combine them into one PDF. Applications without all required documents will not </span><span>receive</span><span> full consideration.</span></span><span> </span></p></div><div><p></p><p><b>Internal applicants: </b>Search and apply for jobs on the <a href="https://jobs.virginia.edu/i/us/en/home" target="_blank">UVA Internal Careers website</a>. </p><p></p><p><span><span>Reference checks will be completed by UVA’s third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be </span><span>requested</span><span>, with at least three responses </span><span>required</span><span>. </span></span><span> </span></p></div><div><p></p><p><span><span>For questions about the position, please contact Nicki Deuel, tav9rs@virginia.edu.</span></span><span> </span></p><p></p></div><div><p><span><span>For questions about the application process, please contact Jessica Russo, sxv9zv@virginia.edu.</span> </span></p></div></div><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p></p><p><i>The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about </i><a target="_blank" href="https://eocr.virginia.edu/notice-non-discrimination-and-equal-opportunity"><span style="color:#0000ff"><i><u>UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment</u></i></span></a><i>.</i></p>