Responsibilities

• - The Associate Director of Media Relations - Issues Management plays a critical role in UCLA's strategic communications efforts by supporting the management of sensitive, high-visibility issues and media inquiries.
• - Working closely with campus leaders and key stakeholders, the position develops messaging, coordinates responses, monitors emerging issues, and helps execute communications strategies related to campus operations, public safety, student affairs, litigation, and other complex matters.
• - This role combines media relations, issues management, crisis communications, and strategic advising to help ensure consistent, responsive, and effective communications that support UCLA's mission and reputation.

Requirements

• - Experience as a spokesperson for a high-profile institution in a large media market.
• - Excellent oral and written communications skills and ability to make professional presentations to executive-level participants in both group and one-on-one situations.
• - Demonstrated reporting and writing skills and ability to identify story placement opportunities and think strategically about communications, including social media applications.
• - Demonstrated ability to anticipate public events that can be used to advance institutional objectives.
• - Thorough knowledge and understanding of current events, issues and developments in the subject areas of institutional operations.
• - Knowledge of other issues facing public institutions of higher education.
• - 10+ years full-time professional media experience, preferably in new media and/or television news.
• - Demonstrated record of successful national, regional and local media relations planning, implementation and placement.
• - Extensive media contacts at key ethnic, California and national media and ability to work with journalists at all skill levels, including student journalists.
• - Demonstrated knowledge of news media operations and protocols, especially the news gathering process.

Preferred

• - Experience managing crisis communications, including the development of emergency management and crisis communications plans.
• - Working knowledge of the University, its organization and structure, and the roles and responsibilities of various academic and administrative units.
• - Working knowledge of UC and UCLA policies, regulations, guidelines, and resources for programming.