ITS Communication Manager

The California State University; Long Beach (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision plans

Tuition waiver education program

PERS retirement system

15 paid holidays per year

Generous vacation plan

Job summary

The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, is seeking an ITS Communication Manager to lead a comprehensive communications function for Information Technology Services. This role translates complex technical work into clear, business-focused messages and provides regular progress reports on ITS priorities and outcomes.

You will develop annual strategies, manage channels (SharePoint, intranet, newsletters), and create assets like infographics, roadmaps, and service spotlights.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications or related field from a four-year university.
• At least five years of professional communications experience in tech or higher ed.
• High-level editing and content refinement skills.
• Strong interviewing, listening, and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Experience developing annual reports, dashboards, infographics, or intranet content.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute ITS communications strategies to increase visibility.
• Translate complex IT work into clear messages highlighting business value.
• Create ITS impact reports, infographics, roadmaps, and stakeholder updates.
• Manage ITS communication channels like SharePoint and intranet.
• Collaborate with ITS leaders and project teams on communications plans.

Skills

Editing

Oral communication

Stakeholder engagement

Change communications

Content development

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, information technology, or another relevant field

Tools

Microsoft 365

SharePoint

PowerPoint

Excel

Adobe Creative Suite

Canva

Job description

Job no: 562049
Work type: Management (MPP)
Location: Chancellor's Office
Categories: MPP, Administrative, At-Will, Full Time

Join our team at the California State University, Office of the Chancellor, and make a difference in providing access to higher education. We are currently seeking experienced candidates for the position of ITS Communication Manager. The CSU Chancellor's Office, located on the waterfront adjacent to the Aquarium of the Pacific in downtown Long Beach, is the headquarters for the nation's largest and most diverse system of higher education. The CSU Chancellor's Office offers a premium benefit package that includes outstanding vacation, health, and dental plans; a fee waiver education program; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); and 15 paid holidays a year.

The anticipated salary hiring range is up to $122,004 per year, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Work Arrangements

Flexibility to telecommute two days a week, with three days on-site at the main headquarters in Long Beach, California.

Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits

Generous vacation plan

15 paid holidays a year

Tuition waiver education program (also applies to eligible family members)

Membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)

The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, is seeking an ITS Communication Manager to be responsible for building and managing a comprehensive communications function for Information Technology Services that increases visibility into ITS work, improves stakeholder understanding of ITS priorities and constraints, strengthens trust with Chancellor’s Office and campus audiences, translates complex technical work into clear business, operational, security, and institutional impact, and provides regular reporting on progress toward ITS strategic goals.

The role supports a sustained communication strategy that helps employees, executives, campus leaders, and internal ITS staff understand ITS's work, the value it delivers, the risks it manages, the services it provides, how ITS makes progress towards its strategic objectives, and how stakeholders can effectively engage with ITS.

Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Development

• Develop and execute communications strategies that make ITS work, accomplishments, operational responsibilities, constraints, and stakeholder impacts more visible and understandable to Chancellor’s Office employees, executives, campus leaders, and internal ITS staff.
• Translate complex technical initiatives into clear, audience-specific messages that explain business value, institutional impact, risk reduction, service improvement, modernization, and operational reliability.
• Develop recurring communications products, including a portfolio of ITS impact infographics, roadmap updates, project story briefs, service spotlights, and stakeholder updates that demonstrate ITS progress and value.
• Establish a consistent messaging framework that explains ITS priorities, capacity constraints, service responsibilities, decision points, and the connection between ITS work and CSU systemwide priorities.
• Develop and maintain an annual communications strategy, editorial calendar, and content roadmap.

Internal and End-User Communications

• Manage and continuously improve ITS communication channels (SharePoint, intranet, newsletters, etc.) while including leadership updates and cross-team project visibility updates to improve alignment, morale, and awareness across ITS.
• Establish and manage a communications intake process with ITS teams to collect accomplishments, metrics, upcoming changes, risks reduced, customer impacts, and recognition items for use in recurring communications.
• Develop service-awareness communications that help Chancellor’s Office and campus users understand what ITS services are available, how to request support, where to find self-service resources, and how to prepare for technology changes.
• Create plain-language employee-facing content, including technology tips, service spotlights, FAQs, “how to get help” materials, office hour content, listening session materials, and “You Said, We Did” updates that demonstrate responsiveness to stakeholder feedback.

Content Creation and Quality Assurance

• Write, edit, and proofread content for internal and external communications, including department reports, end-user communications, Cal State Tech materials, project summaries, intranet content, newsletters, infographics, presentations, and stakeholder briefings.
• Develop assets that narrate the problem addressed, ITS action taken, stakeholders served, business value delivered, risk reduced, and next steps.
• Develop and produce an annual ITS impact report highlighting major initiatives, operational accomplishments, service metrics, cybersecurity and risk-reduction work, infrastructure and application improvements, campus collaboration, employee support, ongoing projects, and future priorities.
• Develop and maintain reusable communications resources, messaging libraries, templates, and documentation.
• Develop and maintain communications standards, editorial guidelines, templates, do and brand consistency in alignment with the Chancellor’s Office Marketing and Communications and the CSU Brand.

Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and support campus-facing communications for campus executives, campus CIOs, governance groups, and systemwide stakeholders, including quarterly updates, roadmap summaries, campus impact notices, and shared-services communications.
• Establish metrics and feedback mechanisms to assess communications effectiveness, including engagement analytics, stakeholder surveys, perception measures, service-awareness indicators, and internal ITS feedback.
• Use stakeholder feedback and communications performance data to refine messaging, improve communication channels, and identify recurring gaps in understanding of ITS services, priorities, accomplishments, and constraints.
• Design and implement a process to emphasize ITS accomplishments and thought leadership when leaders from the CSU speak at national events or participate in national committees to highlight CSU’s leadership in higher education technology.
• Consult with ITS leaders and project teams on communications planning, messaging, and stakeholder engagement.
• Partner with project managers to develop communications plans for technology implementations and organizational change.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, information technology, or another relevant field from an accredited four-year university or college, or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of five years of demonstrated professional communications experience, preferably in a technology-focused or higher ed environment.
• High-level editing experience and skills, including the ability to review and refine content for clarity, accuracy, and consistency.
• Experience in researching, writing, and editing communications content in a technology-focused, public relations, or closely related field.
• Demonstrated track record of performing excellently under pressure and adhering to strict deadlines while maintaining a sophisticated understanding of organizational and external contexts.
• Effective oral communication skills and experience in collaborating directly with senior-level administrators or executives.
• Strong interviewing, listening, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience developing annual reports, executive dashboards, infographics, intranet content, employee newsletters, or organizational storytelling campaigns.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong communication experience, with the ability to track progress and coordinate communication about highly detailed projects efficiently.
• Experience supporting change management, technology rollouts, service adoption, or stakeholder engagement programs.
• Experience working effectively with a diverse group of stakeholders, maintaining efficient and collaborative working relationships.
• Ability to adapt to new information and make informed decisions in a dynamic work environment with evolving priorities.
• Intellectual agility and ability to make independent judgments and work with minimal supervision.
• Experience using Microsoft 365, SharePoint, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or similar tools.
• Familiarity with IT service management concepts, project portfolio reporting, cybersecurity awareness, and change communications.

Application Period

Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by September 24, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, the CSU provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Senior Human Resources Manager at [phone].

This position requires new hire employment verification to be processed through the E-Verify program administered by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (DHSUSCIS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

If hired, you will be required to furnish proof that you are legally authorized to work in the United States.The CSU Chancellor’s Office is not a sponsoring agency for staff and Management positions (i.e., H1-B VISAS).

Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy , it is strongly recommended that all Chancellor’s Office employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications.

Mandated Reporter Per CANRA

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 as a condition of employment.

CSU Out of State Employment Policy

California State University, Office of the Chancellor, 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 CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

Background

The Chancellor's Office policy requires that the selected candidate successfully complete a full background check (including a criminal records check) prior to assuming this position.

Learn more about working at the California State University and the impact of our mission.