PR and Communications Manager

Regional Pr Manager

Western Governors University (WGU) is seeking a Regional PR Manager to drive earned media and reputation outcomes across the South Region. This role serves as a trusted communications advisor to the Regional Vice President (RVP) and leadership team, ensuring that PR strategies deliver measurable impact tied to WGU's OKRs : elevating brand and reputation, demonstrating employer value, and expanding industry influence.

As part of WGU's regional communications team, the South Region PR Manager will manage an external agency, source and elevate compelling student and alumni stories, and collaborate across Academic Communications, Strategic Partnerships, Community Relations, Alumni Relations and Government Relations. The role is designed for a self-driven, results-oriented communicator who can turn outcomes into insights and position WGU as the most student-centric university in America.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the communications lead and advisor to the South Region RVP and leadership team.
• Surface reputational opportunities and risks, guiding long-term communications strategy that supports regional growth and enrollment goals.
• Manage WGU's South Region PR agency as an extension of the team, setting priorities, approving strategies and demanding high-quality outcomes.
• Ensure agency work delivers Tier-1 wins and aligns with WGU's narrative pillars.
• Source, develop and pitch compelling student, alumni and employer stories that highlight WGU's mission and impact.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with regional reporters, editors and influencers.
• Secure impactful media coverage of WGU scholarships, commencements, partnerships and thought leadership.
• Track and analyze PR performance against OKRs, including Tier-1 coverage, share-of-voice, sentiment and message pull-through.
• Contribute to monthly, quarterly and annual reports by delivering not just coverage counts but actionable insights for leadership.
• Work proactively with Strategic Partnerships, Community Relations, Alumni Relations and Government Relations teams to amplify WGU's impact through unified storytelling.
• Partner with corporate communications to integrate South Region stories into national campaigns.
• Influence without direct authority to align stakeholders, drive collaboration and ensure alignment with overall business objectives.
• Plan, execute and promote major events across the region, collaborating with other stakeholders and regional / national teams.
• Success working across disciplines, including paid media, social media, email, PR and analytics.
• Comfort working as part of a collaborative hybrid in-person / remote team.

What You'll Bring

Additional Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours) : This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply : If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Disclaimer : The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive.

Accommodations : Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity : All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.