Responsibilities

• Issues & Reputation Management
• Lead communications planning for emerging, sensitive, and high-profile issues affecting the university.
• Develop strategic messaging, talking points, FAQs, statements, briefing materials, and proactive communications.
• Monitor media and public conversations to identify emerging issues, misinformation, and reputational risks.
• Coordinate with university leaders and campus partners to ensure timely, accurate, and consistent communications.
• Support crisis communications and institutional reputation management efforts.
• Media Relations & Strategic Storytelling
• Build and maintain relationships with local, regional, national, international, and trade media.
• Identify and pitch compelling stories highlighting SDSU’s research, academics, student success, innovation, and community impact.
• Coordinate media interviews and prepare university leaders, faculty, and subject matter experts for media engagement.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public relations, English, marketing, or a related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible professional experience in media relations, strategic communications, public affairs, journalism, or a closely related communications field.

Preferred

• Preferred: Experience supporting executive, crisis, or reputation communications and providing strategic communications counsel to senior leadership.
• Experience securing earned media coverage at the regional or national level.
• Experience communicating research, science, innovation, or other complex subject matter to public audiences.
• Experience coaching executives, faculty, or subject matter experts for media interviews and public appearances.
• Experience working in higher education, the public sector, healthcare, research, or another large, complex organization; familiarity with the California State University system is a plus.

Benefits

• Generous Leave Benefits: Enjoy 15 paid holidays, 24 vacation days, and 12 sick days per year.
• Retirement Security: Benefit from a CalPERS defined benefit pension plan, with reciprocity with the UC Retirement Plan, plus retiree healthcare benefits.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access a variety of health, dental, and vision plans at no or low cost to you.
• Educational Opportunities: Take advantage of the California State University system fee reduction program for yourself or a qualified dependent.
• Voluntary Benefits: Opt into additional benefits like Auto & Home Insurance, Life and Disability Insurances, a Legal Plan, Pet Insurance, and the ScholarShare 529 Plan for college savings.