MSU Extension Media & External Relations — Communications Manager II

Position Summary

Michigan State University Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and collaborative environment where all staff contribute toward a vision for success regardless of their title or position within the organization. We strive to create a positive culture, access to resources, and a sense of belonging for staff, partners, and programming participants. This means that all staff at MSU Extension are dedicated to ensuring that programming is available to all audiences, creating meaningful and positive impacts for participants, and demonstrating partnership and collaboration across communities.

Characteristic Duties/Responsibilities

• Plans new strategies, campaigns, and external relations efforts for MSU Extension and advises other units on media and external relations issues.

• Establishes policies and procedures related to the daily operation of external relations.

• Develops promotion and marketing /news plans for the unit.

• Develops specialized communications plans for other units as requested.

• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders and supports major announcements and public-facing initiatives.

• Contributes as needed to high-level messaging and narratives for impact reports, legislative materials, and organizational storytelling, ensuring alignment with media strategy and public positioning.

Media and External Relations Strategy

Develops and implements media relations strategies, including proactive media positioning, protocols, issues management, and reputational communication for MSU Extension in coordination with the Director of Communications and Digital Strategy and in partnership with University Communications and Marketing.

Advises MSU Extension leadership and institute teams on media approach, messaging, and risk.

Develops and implements proactive media plans to elevate MSU Extension’s visibility statewide and nationally, identifying story opportunities and pitching to key media outlets.

Partners with government and stakeholder relations staff to align legislative and external-facing communications with media strategy, public positioning, and organizational priorities.

Media Operations and Content Development

Manages incoming media inquiries, triages requests, and coordinates timely, accurate responses across MSU Extension and with University Communications and Marketing.

Led development and distribution of press releases, media statements, talking points, and key messages.

Safeguards alignment with organizational priorities and external positioning.

Supports media planning and coordination for major events, announcements, and external-facing initiatives.

Collaboration, Alignment, and Organizational Support

Pairs with institute and program leadership to develop media strategies for high-priority initiatives, announcements, and emerging issues.

Collaborates across communications teams to align media strategy, coordinate outreach, and ensure consistent messaging across the organization.

Serves as primary liaison to University Communications and Marketing for media relations, ensuring coordination, alignment, and amplification of MSU Extension priorities.

Supports communications strategy for high-priority initiatives with an emphasis on media visibility and public impact.

Issues Monitoring and Training

Maintains media coverage, emerging issues, and reputational risks; synthesizes insights to inform strategy and leadership decision-making.

Collaboratively develops and delivers media training for leadership and subject matter experts.

Provides functional leadership and direction for media-related work across the communications team.

Safeguards all media-facing communications align with MSU brand standards and organizational messaging.

Strategic Messaging and Storytelling

Contributes as needed to high-level messaging and narratives for impact reports, legislative materials, and organizational storytelling, ensuring alignment with media strategy and public positioning.