We are seeking an experienced and proactive Manager – Public Relations to lead and execute public relations and communications initiatives for the institution. The role will be responsible for strengthening the university/college's reputation, enhancing its visibility across relevant media and stakeholder communities, and ensuring consistent and strategic communication of institutional achievements, academic excellence, research, faculty expertise, student accomplishments, events, and key announcements.

The ideal candidate will have strong media relationships, excellent written and verbal communication skills, sound news judgment, and an understanding of the higher education ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

1. Public Relations Strategy
Develop and execute PR strategies aligned with the institution's brand, positioning, and strategic priorities.
Build and maintain a strong institutional reputation among media, prospective students, parents, alumni, academic communities, industry, and other stakeholders.
Identify opportunities to enhance institutional visibility through proactive media engagement and thought leadership.

2. Media Relations
Develop and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, education correspondents, digital publications, television, radio, and industry media.
Generate and pitch relevant stories, features, interviews, expert comments, and institutional announcements.
Coordinate media interactions, including interviews, press conferences, campus visits, and media briefings.
Maintain an updated database of media contacts and track media engagement.

3. Content & Communications
Draft and edit press releases, media advisories, statements, talking points, speeches, FAQs, newsletters, and institutional communications.
Work closely with faculty, leadership, students, researchers, and administrative teams to identify compelling stories.
Translate complex academic, research, and institutional information into engaging media-friendly narratives.
Ensure consistency in institutional messaging and tone across communications.

4. Thought Leadership & Visibility
Identify opportunities for senior leadership and faculty members to participate in interviews, panel discussions, conferences, opinion articles, podcasts, and other relevant platforms.
Develop thought-leadership opportunities around education, research, innovation, policy, industry trends,



and other areas of institutional expertise.
Support leadership profiling and executive communications.

5. Events & Institutional Announcements
Provide PR support for convocations, conferences, seminars, academic launches, research announcements, student achievements, campus events, and other institutional milestones.
Develop media outreach plans before, during, and after major events.
Coordinate media logistics and ensure appropriate coverage.

6. Crisis & Reputation Management
Support the development and implementation of crisis communication plans.
Monitor emerging issues and media conversations that may affect institutional reputation.
Prepare timely communication materials, holding statements, FAQs, and responses when required.
Coordinate with senior leadership and relevant departments during sensitive or high-impact situations.

7. Digital & Social Media Coordination
Work closely with digital and social media teams to ensure PR campaigns and media coverage are effectively amplified across institutional channels.
Monitor online conversations, media mentions, and sentiment around the institution.
Identify opportunities for integrated PR and digital campaigns.

8. Media Monitoring & Reporting
Monitor daily media coverage and institutional mentions.
Track PR performance, media reach, share of voice, sentiment, and quality of coverage.
Prepare regular PR reports and dashboards for senior management.
Evaluate campaign effectiveness and recommend improvements.

9. Internal Stakeholder Management
Collaborate with admissions, marketing, academics, research, student affairs, alumni relations, placement/career services, and leadership teams.
Establish processes for gathering timely information and identifying newsworthy institutional developments.
Act as a communications advisor to internal stakeholders on media-related matters.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Quality and quantity of earned media coverage
Growth in positive institutional media visibility
Share of voice within the higher education sector




Number and quality of media relationships developed
Successful media placements and thought-leadership opportunities
Leadership/faculty profiling opportunities
PR support for major institutional events and announcements
Media response time and effectiveness
Reputation and sentiment metrics
PR campaign ROI and performance against defined objectives

Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Mass Communication, Journalism, Marketing, Communications, or a related field .
A postgraduate qualification in communications, PR, marketing, or a related discipline is desirable.

Experience
5–8 years of relevant experience in public relations, corporate communications, media relations, or institutional communications.
Experience in higher education, education, consulting, research, corporate, or professional services is preferred.
Proven experience managing media relationships and executing PR campaigns.
Experience working with senior leadership and multiple internal stakeholders is desirable.

Required Skills & Competencies
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong media relations and pitching skills
Exceptional storytelling and content-writing ability
Strong understanding of the Indian media and higher education landscape
Strategic thinking and sound news judgment
Stakeholder and relationship management
Crisis communication skills
Event and campaign management
Strong editing and proofreading skills
Ability to work under tight deadlines
Proficiency in MS Office and media monitoring/PR tools
Strong interpersonal skills and professional maturity

Personal Attributes
Proactive and opportunity-oriented
High level of discretion and integrity
Calm and composed under pressure
Robust attention to detail
Collaborative and stakeholder-friendly
Creative storyteller
Strong ownership and accountability
Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a strategic communications professional who understands both the media ecosystem and the higher education environment . They should be capable of converting institutional achievements, academic expertise, research, student stories, and leadership perspectives into compelling narratives that build credibility, visibility, and reputation for the institution.

📌 Public Relations Manager (Gurugram)
🏢 Manav Rachna International Institute of Research & Studies
📍 Gurugram