Assistant Director of Media Relations (Administrator I)

San Diego State University•San Diego, CA

2d•$100,000 - $110,000•Hybrid

About The Position

San Diego State University is seeking a strategic and experienced Assistant Director of Media Relations to help to further advance the university’s visibility through thoughtful, timely, and compelling communications. As a key member of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs, you will lead communications around emerging and high-profile issues, develop strategic messaging, strengthen media relationships, and identify opportunities to elevate SDSU’s research, innovation, and overall impact. Working closely with university leadership and communications partners across campus, you’ll provide trusted communications counsel and help ensure SDSU’s voice is clear, consistent, and responsive across audiences.

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.
Demonstrated expertise in strategic communications, media relations, and issues management.
Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to communicate complex or technical information clearly and accurately to diverse audiences.
Demonstrated ability to develop strategic messaging and communications materials, including news releases, talking points, statements, FAQs, executive messaging, and digital content.
Experience cultivating productive media relationships and advising organizational leaders on media engagement and communications strategy.
Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
Excellent interpersonal, consultation, and collaboration skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across organizational units and senior leadership.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and respond effectively to sensitive or rapidly evolving situations.
Experience developing and executing communications strategies across earned, owned, and shared media channels.
Valid California Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire.
Must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Nice To Haves

Experience in areas such as strategic communications, media relations, public affairs, and/or journalism.
At least five years' experience in public affairs.
Issues management, crisis communications, or reputation management
Executive communications and strategic counsel.
Media pitching and earned media strategy.
Research, science, or complex-topic storytelling.
Higher education, public sector, healthcare, research, or another complex organization.
Media monitoring, analytics, and communications measurement.
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.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
Develop earned media strategies that advance university priorities, including research and science communications.
Write and edit news releases, statements, executive messaging, media advisories, stories, and other high-impact communications.
Provide editorial leadership to ensure institutional communications are accurate, engaging, and consistent with SDSU’s voice and standards.
Advise colleges, divisions, and departments on communications strategies and complex communications needs.
Collaborate across Strategic Communications and Public Affairs on integrated earned, owned, and shared media initiatives.

Benefits

15 paid holidays
24 vacation days
12 sick days per year
CalPERS defined benefit pension plan
Reciprocity with the UC Retirement Plan
Retiree healthcare benefits
Variety of health, dental, and vision plans at no or low cost
California State University system fee reduction program for yourself or a qualified dependent
Auto & Home Insurance
Life and Disability Insurances
Legal Plan
Pet Insurance
ScholarShare 529 Plan