Payne School Communications and Events Specialist

San Diego State University Research Foundation

1d

About The Position

This position is open until filled with an initial application review to take place after March 22, 2026.
The salary for this position is budgeted at $5,858.67 per month and is non-negotiable.
FUNCTION OF THE UNIT
The L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management in the college of Professional Studies and Fine Arts is an academic unit encompassing three degrees: a master’s degree; Bachelor’s in Hospitality and Tourism Management and Recreation and Tourism Management; and a minor in Recreation and Tourism Management. The school also encompasses seven programmatic areas of emphasis: Hotel Operations/Management, Restaurant Operations/Management, Meetings and Events Operations/Management, Tribal Gaming Operations/Management, Outdoor Resource Management, Recreation Systems Management, and Sustainable Tourism.
Other important initiatives within the School are: Financial development/advancement, community outreach through various workshops and community lecturers, internship and job placement. We are deeply connected to the professions, and we serve them by offering several executive-level certifications.
Students routinely rave about their experience with us, and we need someone to help us produce those experiences and tell the story.
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
This is a combination position over our marketing and communications, and supporting internal events for the School. Following several years of success with social media recruiting to our undergraduate programs and a generous gift from the School’s namesake, Bob Payne, we are ready to up our game and expand our marketing and communications across the campus, the nation, and globally.
Key metrics for this aspect of the role will include recruitment at all aspects of the Payne School. Other impacts are expected in alumni engagement and community support via philanthropy.
The Payne School uses events on and off campus to help deliver our messaging, and this role is expected to serve a central role in event execution for the school.
We operate in a “matrix” environment, so there will be plenty of support in this regard. In addition, there will be a detailed marketing and communications plan developed for this role by outside experts.

Requirements

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with a solid foundation in grammar, spelling, and the composition of various communication vehicles
• Thorough knowledge of the program and applicable communications techniques
• Ability to work fairly autonomously and exercise sound judgment and discretion in completion of assignments and projects
• Working knowledge of and ability to apply standard theories, practices, principles and techniques related to communications
• Thorough knowledge of and ability to use effectively media outlets including planning media coverage and media publicity campaigns
• Working knowledge of copyright and other applicable laws pertaining to publications and the media
• Thorough knowledge of web communcation techniques, vehicles and formats. Ability to effectively use web technology to achieve communication goals
• Ability to analyze and select pertinent facts and integrate them into communication vehicles
• Strong story development and journalistic writing skills, as well as advanced editorial skills. Ability to define and deliver media messages.
• Ability to apply market research to identify communication needs and target audiences
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including strong public speaking, listening and interpretive skills
• Ability to provide lead work direction
• Equivalent to a bachelors degree, which includes relevant coursework in the field
• Three (3) years of related professional or technical experience

Nice To Haves

• Degree in hospitality and tourism management
• International experience and/or demonstrated ability to engage with global audiences.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and oversee RSCA-focused events from concept through execution, including signature programs such as the SDSU Student Symposium, faculty celebrations, and research advancement events. 20%
• Collaborate with campus leadership, faculty, staff, vendors, sponsors, and community partners to deliver high-quality, impactful events. 15%
• Manage event logistics, timelines, budgets, contracts, and procurement to ensure successful, on-time, and cost-effective delivery. 15%
• Develop and coordinate event communications, registration processes, and promotional materials using event and project management platforms. 15%
• Provide lead work direction, guidance, and training to staff, students, and volunteers supporting event activities. 10%
• Assist with planning and executing external social media postings for storytelling and educational purposes in the Payne School of Hospitality. Works with the Associate Director of the Student Center for Professional Development to layout a strategy for social media, identify key platforms, film, edit, and create content to share across LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and others deemed necessary 20%
• Other Duties as Assigned 5%

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level