Communications Specialist - Human Resources

Cal Poly • San Luis, CA

7h

About The Position

Under the general direction of the associate director of Talent Acquisition, the Communications Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing effective communication strategies that promote the university’s and division’s mission, enhance its reputation as an employer of choice, and engage key audiences. This role includes creating compelling content across multiple platforms and collaborating with internal stakeholders to ensure consistency in messaging and branding. This position serves as a liaison between Talent Acquisition and other entities, both on and off campus, in support of the division’s commitment to the university’s integrated marketing, communications and strategic goals. This position operates under established guidelines and direction, supporting project implementation, content development, and coordination. The role requires attention to detail, adherence to branding and accessibility standards, and the ability to manage multiple marketing projects in support of staff and Management Personnel Plan (MPP) recruitment efforts. This position works in close partnership with the University Communications and Marketing (UCM) team to ensure communications and marketing strategies and tactics are aligned with the university’s goals. The Human Resources (HR) department within University Personnel at Cal Poly leads workplace strategies that enable our approximately 3000 employees (staff, faculty and management) to thrive in their roles. Through traditional practices like recruitment, benefits, employee relations, information systems and performance management to strategic practices like professional development, organization development, workforce planning, and engagement, Human Resources is dedicated to cultivating the excellence of all employees. Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu .

Requirements

• General knowledge of employer branding and recruitment marketing concepts, including talent attraction messaging, employee value propositions, and content approaches specific to higher education employment audiences.
• Knowledge of or the ability to quickly learn institutional branding, visual identity, and accessibility standards, including the role of centralized UCM governance in approving and guiding marketing activities.
• Skill in adapting content and marketing assets to align with established brand standards, messaging frameworks, and accessibility requirements across digital and print platforms.
• Skill in coordinating marketing and communications projects within a matrix reporting environment, including tracking approvals, incorporating feedback from UCM, and supporting cross-functional initiatives.
• Ability to implement marketing initiatives under general direction while maintaining consistency with campus-wide brand strategy, recruitment priorities, and Human Resources objectives.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Relevant education and/or experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

• developing and implementing effective communication strategies that promote the university’s and division’s mission
• enhancing its reputation as an employer of choice
• engaging key audiences
• creating compelling content across multiple platforms
• collaborating with internal stakeholders to ensure consistency in messaging and branding
• supporting project implementation, content development, and coordination
• managing multiple marketing projects in support of staff and Management Personnel Plan (MPP) recruitment efforts
• ensuring communications and marketing strategies and tactics are aligned with the university’s goals

Benefits

• Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees.

What This Job Offers

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