Job description

Position Category: Staff (Exempt)
FLSA: Exempt
FTE: 1
Location: Thousand Oaks

University Background:
The mission of California Lutheran University is to educate leaders for a global society who are strong in character and judgment, confident in their identity and vocation, and committed to service and justice. Founded in 1959 in beautiful Ventura County, the university has an enrollment of about 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students who come from across the nation and around the world from a diversity of backgrounds, cultures and faiths. As a federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution, Cal Lutheran is looking for candidates with a dedication to and success in working in diverse communities. The university is committed to an inclusive learning and work environment that values individual differences and respects each persons dignity.

Basic Function:
The Director of Communications is Cal Lutheran's chief storyteller, developing strategies to share a consistent message of the university's identity to internal and external audiences through owned and earned media. The primary responsibility of the director of communications is media relations: getting positive press coverage and managing incoming requests for information and interviews. The director of communications will also manage a small team responsible for the development and implementation of an internal communications plan, and a suite of publications that include our alumni magazine. Primary duties include working with all Cal Lutheran departments, offices and numerous external constituencies to shape and disseminate news and strategic messaging internally and externally.

Representative Duties: Media Relations:
Design and implement a comprehensive media relations program that includes a process for developing story ideas and cultivating and nurturing s, faculty and staff voices, and for placing stories and personalities voices in media outlets to burnish the universitys image. E
Maintain a database of media outlets and contacts; expand and refine list; leverage list to generate press coverage. E
Respond to media requests for information, interviews, photos, videos and stories. E
Serve as spokesperson for the university and as liaison between the media and administration, faculty, staff and students. E
Plan and manage crisis management strategies relating to media and internal communications; provide media training and advice for executive leaders, faculty and administrators. E
Support senior leadership in the creation of external and internal messages, talking points for public appearances, and public written statements.
Assist senior leadership in serving as university spokesperson and in selecting appropriate spokespersons. E

Publications and Internal Communications:
Oversee the production of alumni magazine and other large-scale print and digital publications: define editorial direction, approve stories, ensure editor meets deadlines. E
Curate content of email publications sent to Cal Lutheran community; oversee monitoring of effectiveness and editorial changes. E
Supervise drafting, distribution and curation of event listings for external publications and website. E
Oversee creation of long-form editorial content-engaging stories whose messages are consistent with the university mission and its brand strategy-for all platforms, including the web, and all media, including online video. E
Perform related duties as assigned. *E = Essential Duties

Knowledge Of:
The media industry (print, electronic, and broadcast)
Crisis management communications
Public relations best practices

Ability To:
Write engagingly for multiple audiences
Train, supervise, motivate, and evaluate staff
Work with diverse populations, on and off campus
Work independently with little direction

Minimum Qualifications:
Any combination equivalent to: A Bachelors degree in journalism, communications or related field, and four years of media relations experience, including the writing of press releases, management of press lists, and pitching and placement of stories.

Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in university communications or experience in journalism; ability to speak and write Spanish.

Licenses and Other Requirements:
None

Physical Abilities:
Working Environment:
Busy office environment; frequent interruptions; deadlines on multiple projects; evening and variable hours

Posting Number: Staff002282022

Number of Vacancies:
Desired Start Date: 05/15/2023

Position End Date:
Open Date: 03/22/2023
Close Date: 4/16/2023
Open Until Filled: No

Application Procedure/Special Instructions:
To apply, visit https://careers.callutheran.edu/postings/10618

California Lutheran University is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment for all persons, regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable law. No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any program, activity or facility of the University on the basis of these factors in a manner consistent with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, ordinances, orders and rules, and Universitys policies, procedures, and processes.

Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process can be provided to individuals with qualifying disabilities. Please contact the Human Resources Department for further information or to request an accommodation.

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