Director, News Media Services

Join the vibrant community at California State University Long Beach (CSULB)!

Located just three miles from the Pacific Ocean CSULB offers an inspiring workplace and an exceptional Southern California lifestyle. Our 322-acre campusone of the largest in the CSU systemserves more than 42000 students and is known for its commitment to student success innovation and impactful academic and research initiatives.

As a member of the CSULB community youll experience a dynamic environment filled with cultural landmarks collaborative energy and opportunities to make a meaningful difference.

Work-life balance thrives here. Long Beach blends coastal relaxation with urban vibrancy offering miles of beaches year-round sunshine a thriving arts and food scene and convenient access to both Los Angeles and Orange County. Its an ideal place to grow your career while enjoying everything Southern California has to offer.

Join the California State University (CSU) and explore career opportunities that advance student success and strengthen Californias futureoffering competitive compensation comprehensive benefits and professional growth.

The Director of News Media Services leads the unit and supervises assigned staff within the Strategic Communications department. Develops strategies and tactics to best meet established goals related to earned media coverage. Proactively pitches stories op-eds and interviewees to news media. Responds to media inquiries including researching topics planning a response strategy and matching reporters and journalists with subject-matter experts. When appropriate serves as a university spokesperson.

The incumbent offers counsel and coaching to the campus community on opinion columns and interviews with the news media. Writes statements media advisories tip sheets FAQs and news releases. Collaborates with department colleagues on issue management and emergency communications. Monitors news media and develops summaries of coverage for the universitys news website. Tracks and reports on various metrics related to earned media coverage.

• Media relations: Lead earned media strategy proactive outreach media response and university spokesperson activities as assigned.
• Support to university and department colleagues: Provide media counsel coaching and communications support to campus leaders and partners.
• Crisis communications: Coordinate timely communications and media response for emerging issues crises and sensitive matters.
• Staff management: Supervise develop and support assigned staff.

Strategic Communications

This is a regular at-will position.

Administrator I

Salary placement is determined by the education experience and qualifications the candidate brings to the position internal equity and the hiring departments fiscal resources.

Hiring Range: The hiring range for this position is $8333 - $9584 per month commensurate with candidates education experience skills and training.

At California State University (CSU) we prioritize the health growth and success of our employees. Our benefits program reflects our commitment to your overall well-being.

To be eligible for full benefits employees must be appointed at least half-time (.50 FTE) with an appointment lasting more than six months and one day. Benefits eligibility and offerings may vary based on appointment type classification and applicable collective bargaining agreement. Eligible employees may have access to a comprehensive benefits package that can include:

• Paid Time Off: Up to 24 vacation days per year (based on employee group and/or length of service) 14 paid holidays and 12 sick days annually with unlimited accrual.
• Health Coverage: A variety of medical dental and vision plans.
• Retirement Plans: Participation in the CalPERS defined benefit plan along with voluntary savings options such as 403(b) 401(k) and 457 plans.
• Educational Benefits: Tuition fee waiver programs for eligible employees; dependent eligibility varies by employee group and bargaining unit.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.
• Additional Benefits: Wellness programs professional development opportunities and insurance options including life disability and pet insurance.

Candidates are encouraged to review the appropriate CSU Employee Benefits Summaryfor details specific to their position. Additionally the CSU Total Compensation Calculator is available to help prospective employees understand the full value of the CSU benefits package and how it complements base salary.

Demonstrated interest and depth of knowledge in current affairs and public policy to inform both responses to possible inquiries as well as the pitching of campus experts. Demonstrated ability to speak accurately convincingly and authentically on the record to news media. Demonstrated ability to speak with fluidity clarity and superior on-camera presence during broadcast-media interviews. mastery of news and issues-based writing. Superior spelling grammatical editing and proofreading skills. Ability to establish appropriate context tone and texture in writing assignments to best connect intended audiences and fulfill communication objectives. Ability to uphold and communicate established university editorial standards

Ability to manage several concurrent work projects determine priorities and meet deadlines. Ability to communicate with an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community. Ability to follow all university policies procedures and guidelines including but not limited to safety civility information security and non-discrimination policies and procedures. Ability to contribute to a positive university experience for each and every student and assist in achieving the universitys commitment to a vision of excellence.

-Bachelors degree in related field

-Minimum of five years of media relations experience including experience supporting organization-wide media relations required. Higher education experience preferred.

In case of emergency communications incumbent is expected to report to work on moments notice (weekends and after hours).

Click Apply Now to complete the CSULB Online Employment Application.

Please fill out the application completely. It is important that all sections of the online application are completed fully and accurately. Be sure to include all relevant education and experience. Your application will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

Testing

As part of the candidate assessment a writing test will be administered to evaluate writing quality clarity and alignment with CSULBs messaging

Light work - Job involves some lifting of medium weight objects (10-20 pounds) and/or 10% - 20% of the job involves standing or walking.

CSULB is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e. H-1B Visas).

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. CSULB will make a conditional offer of employment which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Due to the nature of this position current CSULB employees are subject to a criminal record check unless they have successfully completed a criminal background check through CSULB within the past 12 months.

The person holding this position is considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21 2017 as a condition of employment.

Conflict of Interest: The duties of this position will include participation in decisions that may have a material financial benefit to the incumbent. Therefore the selected candidate will be required to file Conflict of Interest Form 700: Statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis complete ethics training within 6 months of appointment and attend this training every other year thereafter.

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws CSULB provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race sex color ethnicity national origin or other protected status. CSULB complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act the California Equity in Higher Education Act Californias Proposition 209 (Art. I Section 31 of the California Constitution) other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws and CSUs Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment segregation based on race or any other protected status and all forms of discrimination harassment and retaliation in all university programs policies and practices.

California State University Long Beach expects respectful professional behavior from its employees in all situations. Acts of harassment or abusive conduct are prohibited. Demonstrated appropriate professional behavior treating others with civility and respect and refusing to tolerate abusive conduct is expected of all employees.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact .

California State University Long Beach as part of the CSU system is a State of California Employer. As such the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California.

As of January 1 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.