Director, Media Relations

Director, Media Relations

Classification: Administrator II

Department: Strategic Communications and Brand Management

plays an integral role in helping to shape and strengthen the institutions brand and advance in a wide range of institutional effectiveness. We are a team of creative, thoughtful, and empathetic storytellers that take pride in representing the university’s image and reputation through inspiring and motivating stories of our exceptional faculty, staff, students, alumni, and donors. We seek an exceptional individual to join our Strategic Communications team as the Director, Media Relations (Administrator II). The ideal candidate in this role should have a positive attitude, an active, energetic mind, and a leadership style that is characterized by highly ethical practices and a commitment to inclusivity, openness, flexibility, integrity, and kindness.

Salary Range: $9,800 - $10,800 per month

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Essential Qualifications:

A bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing from an accredited four-year college or university, or a related field is required. The candidate should have seven to ten years of public relations experience and demonstrate strong interpersonal and soft skills. The position requires excellent writing abilities, including providing three to five examples of successful news pitches or news releases. The candidate must also have the ability to translate technical or scientific language into consumer-friendly messaging that resonates with journalists. Experience working with a collaborative team that relies on coordinated workflows to achieve owned and earned media goals for an institution or organization is essential. Additionally, the candidate should have successfully led media outreach campaigns that enhanced institutional reputation and be able to provide three to five examples of such work.

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 CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.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

Preferred Qualifications:

A master's degree from an accredited college or university is preferred. Experience working in higher education. The candidate should demonstrate a strong news sense and seasoned judgment regarding sensitivities. The position requires a model communicator and public relations professional with experience leading and coaching staff. The candidate should be accustomed to working closely with peers and leadership to determine appropriate responses or promotional outreach strategies that support public engagement and reputational objectives, while achieving media mentions and audience outreach goals at the campuswide, local, regional, national, and international levels. Established strong personal relationships with reporters and media outlets, including maintaining regular calls, meetings, and check-ins. Experience with innovative media collaborations that highlight thought leadership-such as administrator and faculty expertise, as well as student experiences-is desirable. The candidate should be proficient with journalist engagement and media analytics tools (e.g., Meltwater, Muck Rack, Cision) and reporting. Experience pitching and managing stories with ethnic media outlets and tailoring messaging for diverse audiences is also preferred.

Additional Information:

California State University, Fullerton is committed to fostering an environment where students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. We welcome individuals ready to make an impact on student and staff success to apply and become part of the Titan Community. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Cal State Fullerton is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination based on regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or any other protected status.

Application Deadline: Apr 09, 2026 (9:00 PM)