Associate Director of Media Relations (Issues Management)

University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA); Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) seeks an Associate Director of Media Relations - Issues Management to lead strategic communications on high‑visibility matters. You will craft messaging, coordinate responses with campus leaders, monitor emerging issues, and guide crisis communications while partnering with stakeholders across UCLA operations, public safety, student affairs, and litigation.

You will bring more than a decade of media experience, a proven record of placing stories, and

Qualifications

• Experience as a spokesperson for a high-profile institution in a large media market.
• Experience managing crisis communications, including emergency management plans.
• Excellent oral and written communications and ability to present to executives.
• Strong reporting and writing skills with strategic storytelling.
• Ability to anticipate events to support institutional objectives.
• Knowledge of current events and issues in higher education and campus operations.
• 10+ years of full-time media experience, preferably in news.
• Proven record of national, regional, and local media relations.
• Extensive media contacts across ethnic, California and national outlets.
• Knowledge of news media operations and protocols.
• Experience in writing op-ed and analysis pieces.
• Ability to work with independent news media.
• Strong strategic thinking and program design.
• Good professional judgment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with academic leaders and external stakeholders.
• Leadership and supervisory experience, staff development.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Familiarity with broadcasting news tools.
• Punctuality and reliable presence in workplace.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and after hours as needed.
• Knowledge of university policies (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Develop messaging for sensitive/high-visibility issues and inquiries.
• Coordinate campus responses with leaders and stakeholders.
• Monitor emerging issues and advise on communications strategy.
• Lead crisis communications and emergency planning efforts.
• Prepare op-eds and analysis pieces.
• Manage media inquiries and build national/local relationships.
• Provide strategic communications counsel to executives and departments.
• Oversee program design and team development.

Skills

Media relations

Crisis communications

Spokesperson experience

Oral & written communications

Story placement

Public events anticipation

Higher ed knowledge

News media operations

Op-eds

Independent media relations

Strategic thinking

Leadership & supervision

Project management

Broadcast newsroom tools

Reliability

Evenings & weekends

UC/UCLA policies knowledge

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Broadcast software

Job description

Department Summary

UCLA Strategic Communications (StratComm) brings UCLA's mission and values to life by inspiring positive action as UCLA's lead storytellers, reflecting the multifaceted diversity of our university and surrounding communities. Demonstrating and reinforcing the university's commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in all creative work is central to StratComm's success. We believe a workplace culture that values EDI practices is essential to building strong teams, which translates to robust ideas, strategies and creative content that resonate with UCLA's diverse audiences.

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Media Relations - Issues Management plays a critical role in UCLA's strategic communications efforts by supporting the management of sensitive, high-visibility issues and media inquiries. Working closely with campus leaders and key stakeholders, the position develops messaging, coordinates responses, monitors emerging issues, and helps execute communications strategies related to campus operations, public safety, student affairs, litigation, and other complex matters. This role combines media relations, issues management, crisis communications, and strategic advising to help ensure consistent, responsive, and effective communications that support UCLA's mission and reputation.

Salary & Compensation

*UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.

Qualifications

• Experience as a spokesperson for a high-profile institution in a large media market. (Required)
• Experience managing crisis communications, including the development of emergency management and crisis communications plans. (Preferred)
• Excellent oral and written communications skills and ability to make professional presentations to executive-level participants in both group and one-on-one situations. (Required)
• Demonstrated reporting and writing skills and ability to identify story placement opportunities and think strategically about communications, including social media applications. (Required)
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate public events that can be used to advance institutional objectives. (Required)
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of current events, issues and developments in the subject areas of institutional operations. (Required)
• Knowledge of other issues facing public institutions of higher education. (Required)
• 10+ years full-time professional media experience, preferably in new media and/or television news. (Required)
• Demonstrated record of successful national, regional and local media relations planning, implementation and placement. (Required)
• Extensive media contacts at key ethnic, California and national media and ability to work with journalists at all skill levels, including student journalists. (Required)
• Demonstrated knowledge of news media operations and protocols, especially the news gathering process. (Required)
• Experience in writing op‑ed and analysis pieces. (Required)
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with independent news media. (Required)
• Superior strategic thinking, planning and program design and implementation skills. (Required)
• Solid professional judgment. (Required)
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to interact effectively with academic leaders, faculty, staff and external constituents. (Required)
• Leadership abilities that foster learning and excellence among team members. Supervisory skills to manage professional staff, including delegation and prioritization of work, training and evaluation. Experience planning and implementing employee professional development. (Required)
• Excellent organizational and project management skills and proficiency in prioritizing assignments to complete work in a timely manner and on deadline. (Required)
• Demonstrated knowledge of software and multimedia applications, including systems that serve as tools for broadcasting news. (Required)
• Ability to get to work reliably and on time and to be present in the workplace during normal working hours. (Required)
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and after hours as needed. (Required)
• Working knowledge of the University, its organization and structure, and the roles and responsibilities of various academic and administrative units. (Preferred)
• Working knowledge of UC and UCLA policies, regulations, guidelines, and resources for programming. (Preferred)

Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations

• Bachelor’s Degree from a four‑year college or university or equivalent combination of education and experience. (Preferred)

Special Conditions for Employment

• Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
• Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

Schedule

Variable based on operational needs

Union/Policy Covered

99-Policy Covered

Complete Position Description

https://universityofcalifornia.marketpayjobs.com/ShowJob.aspx?EntityID=38&JDName=Media%20Communications%20Specialist%205%20CM%20(40728375)