Director, Strategic Communications and Public Affairs

About Occidental College

Founded in 1887, Occidental is a nationally recognized, private college of the liberal arts and sciences, dedicated to providing a gifted and diverse group of students with a total educational experience of the highest quality -- one that prepares them for leadership in an increasingly complex, interdependent and pluralistic world.

What makes Occidental special? An intellectually rigorous academic environment. Small classroom settings where students collaborate with professors and their peers while pursuing or discovering their passion. A beautiful residential campus that offers students hands-on engagement with the cultural and intellectual resources of Los Angeles. A community open to stimulating conversation and divergent points of view. Some 2,100 students from 46 states and 28 countries choose from 41 majors and minors and participate in one the country’s top undergraduate research programs. Oxy students routinely win top awards and fellowships; its first Rhodes Scholar was named in 1907. Dedicated to excellence and equity, Occidental also is one of the country’s most economically diverse campuses, according to the New York Times. Some 71 percent of Oxy students receive some form of financial aid; 20 percent are Pell Grant recipients; and 19 percent are the first in their family to attend college

Title

Director, Strategic Communications and Public Affairs

Department

Marketing and Promotion

Duration

Indefinite

Employment Status

Exempt, Full Time

Job Summary

Reporting to the Vice President for Marketing and Communications, the Director, Strategic Communications and Public Affairs leads the development and execution of a comprehensive strategic communications plan aligned with the college’s mission, vision, and values. The Director provides primary leadership for the institution’s media relations and crisis communications efforts, serving as the college’s chief media spokesperson and managing relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets to enhance the college’s visibility, reputation, and public presence.

The Director oversees the creation and distribution of key communications materials, including press releases, media statements, and institutional announcements, ensuring consistent and effective messaging across all channels. The Director will direct crisis communications planning and response, coordinating timely, accurate, and strategic communications during issues management and high-priority situations.

Job Duties

• 25% - Newsroom and Content Oversight - Oversee and manage the College’s newsroom to ensure fresh, engaging content is produced and shared. Supervise the creation of news releases, media advisories, op-eds, and feature stories. Ensure that all materials reflect the College’s values, achievements, and events. Maintain a steady flow of new content that appeals to different audience segments, including the media, students, faculty, and the general public. Ensures that content aligns with institutional goals and emerging trends in higher education media. Guides strategic communication efforts around key institutional events, leadership initiatives, and crisis communication. - (Essential)
• 25% - Media Relations and Public Outreach - Serve as the College’s media spokesperson and build strong relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets. Actively generate media coverage that reflects the College’s key initiatives and achievements. Engage with media to position the College as an expert resource, proactively pitching stories and securing interviews with faculty and leadership. - (Essential)
• 20% - Leadership Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement - Collaborate with senior leadership and engage with key stakeholders to align communication efforts and foster valuable partnerships. Engage with potential partners, donors, and key community stakeholders to create new opportunities for collaboration and support. Participate in strategic planning sessions and assist in shaping communication strategies that support long-term objectives. Plays a major role in shaping the College’s overall public relations and media strategy to reinforce institutional messaging. Cultivates high-level relationships with external partners and stakeholders, aligning partnerships with the College’s long-term goals and strategic priorities. - (Essential)
• 30% - Crisis Communications - A key area of responsibility for this role is leading the college’s crisis communications and emergency communications efforts. The Director develops and implements crisis communications protocols, coordinates timely and accurate communications during emergencies and high-profile incidents, and works closely with campus leadership, emergency management personnel, and external agencies to ensure consistent messaging and effective information dissemination. This role also supports emergency preparedness planning, media response coordination, and post-incident communications strategies to protect and maintain public trust in the institution. - (Essential)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or a related field relevant to the position duties, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Seven years of experience in media relations, public relations, or journalism.
• Two years of supervisory experience. Proven track record of securing positive media coverage for an organization or institution across print, broadcast, and digital platforms.
• Demonstrated creative and strategic approach to communications planning and execution.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google drives/folders/forms, Adobe Acrobat, Web Editing, and social media applications or any combination of productivity programs applicable to position responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented and thorough; skilled at anticipating and preventing potential problems and handling a wide variety of tasks with efficiency and accuracy.
• Strong commitment to a quality work product.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally, in writing and electronically.
• Effective interpersonal skills as evidenced in the ability to collaborate with a variety of constituencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, inclusion & diversity.
• Demonstrated skill in adapting to and performing work effectively in high-volume, high accountability, confidential environment with multiple and changing priorities.
• Effective organizational, logistical, time management and planning skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks/projects simultaneously, prioritize and fulfill the functions of an office in a timely manner.
• Ability to self-motivate and work independently.
• Knowledge of contemporary leadership and management methods to ensure employee success and achievement, and demonstration of related and applicable skills as evidenced by the ability to effectively direct, assess and evaluate performance of direct reports.
• Ability to effectively design, define, describe and document job functions, responsibilities, tasks, and required qualifications associated with supervised positions, and the demonstrated skills in assessing candidates’ experience, knowledge, skills and abilities when hiring for vacant positions, ensuring the best choice of candidate.
• Ability to provide employee development, training and opportunities for direct reports to demonstrate performance achievement and success; recognizing performance of both above standards and needs improvement and respond accordingly. Skilled at communicating feedback verbally, in writing and electronically; and documenting performance via introductory and annual performance appraisals.
• Skilled in developing and determining corrective employment/performance/behavioral strategies, as needed. Demonstrated ability to design and execute performance improvement plans, conducting disciplinary action and/or determining the appropriateness of employment continuation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or other professional certifications.
• Higher education experience. Accreditation in Public Relations (APR). Network of contacts with local, regional, national, and international media outlets and journalists.