Associate Director, Strategic Media Relations & Issues

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

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