Director, News Media Services
Job No: 562316
Work Type: Management (MPP)
Location: Southern California: Long Beach
Categories: Bargaining Unit: MPP, Appointment Type: At-Will,
Time Basis: Full Time
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 campus-one of the largest in the CSU
system-serves more than 42,000 students and is known for its
commitment to student success, innovation, and impactful academic
and research initiatives.
As a member of the CSULB community, you'll 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. It's 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
California's future-offering competitive compensation,
comprehensive benefits, and professional growth.
Job Summary
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 university's news website. Tracks and
reports on various metrics related to earned media coverage.
Key Responsibilities
- 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.
Department
Strategic Communications
Duration of Appointment
This is a regular, at-will position.
Classification
Administrator I
Compensation
Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and
qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal
equity, and the hiring department's fiscal resources.
Hiring Range: The hiring range for this position
is $8,333 - $9,584 per month commensurate with candidate's
education, experience, skills, and training.
Benefits
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 Summary for 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.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
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 university's commitment
to a "vision of excellence."
Education and Experience
-Bachelor's 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 moment's notice (weekends and after hours).
Application Procedures
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 CSULB's messaging
Physical Summary
Light work - Job involves some lifting of medium
weight objects (10-20 pounds) and/or 10% - 20% of the job involves
standing or walking.
Additional Information
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.
Equal Employment Statement
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, California's Proposition 209 (Art.
I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable
state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU's
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.
Accommodations
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
StaffHR-Accommodations@csulb.edu.
Out of State Employment Policy
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 https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/10899725/latest/"
href="https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/10899725/latest/"
target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CSU Out-of-State
Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform
CSU-related work outside the state of California.
Application Closes: 02 October 2026
To apply, visit https://careers.pageuppeople.com/873/lb/en-us/job/562316
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