Senior Manager, Public Affairs

The Business of HLTH Podcast; Long Beach (CA); Hybrid; USD 103,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision benefits

Vacation plan

15 paid holidays a year

Tuition waiver program

PERS retirement

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, invites applications for a Senior Manager, Public Affairs to develop, implement and lead media and communications strategies to advance CSU advocacy goals. The role is based at the Long Beach headquarters with hybrid work options.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a communications field, 8+ years in public relations and 4+ years in public policy or advocacy. Strong writing and relationship-building skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism or related field is required.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible public relations experience.
• 4+ years in public policy, advocacy, public affairs or similar roles.
• Experience with California media covering public policy, advocacy and politics.
• Proven track record of securing major media coverage.
• Strategic thinker and effective project manager with autonomy.
• Strong writing and communications skills with high attention to detail.
• Ability to quickly learn CSU policies and translate into messages.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work with executive leadership, legislators, reporters and editors.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Strategic Communications, Brand Marketing and other departments to build multi-platform campaigns.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to communicate CSU priorities to external stakeholders.
• Coordinate messaging across external channels, including social media and press releases.
• Gather testimonials and data related to legislative priorities.
• Monitor current and upcoming state and federal legislation impacting the CSU.
• Develop and lead media and public affairs strategies for legislative priorities.
• Write press pitches and press releases; ghost-write/op-eds as needed.
• Create fact sheets, newsletters, web stories and social media content.
• Cultivate relationships with beat reporters and CSU campus communicators.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Public relations

Media relations

Policy and advocacy

Project management

Independent work

Communication excellence

Attention to detail

Stakeholder engagement

Crisis communications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism or a related communications field

Job description

Chancellor's Office Statement

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 Senior Manager, Public Affairs.

Salary

The anticipated salary hiring range is up to $114,660 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.

Premium Benefits

• 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)
• More details here: Comprehensive Benefits Package

Classification

Administrator II

Position Information

The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, is seeking a Senior Manager, Public Affairs to develop, implement and lead media and communications strategies to further the advocacy goals of the CSU. 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. This includes proactive strategies to help shape the narrative around state and federal legislation and policies that supports student success, and conversely, raising awareness about legislation and policies that creates challenges to it.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with other members of Strategic Communications and Brand Marketing, Advocacy State Relations, Federal Relations, and other departments within the Chancellor’s Office to identify opportunities to build multi-platform campaigns, leverage third-party advocates and spokespeople.
• Serve as a trusted advisor, ensuring the CSU's voice, tone, and strategic priorities are effectively communicated to external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the marketing and internal communications teams to ensure consistency of messaging across external channels, including social media and press releases.
• Gather testimonials and data related to legislative priorities.
• Monitor current and upcoming state and federal legislation and policy changes that require a CSU comms strategy.
• Develop, implement and lead comprehensive media and public affairs communications strategies for legislative and policy priorities.
• Write press pitches and press releases as needed; ghost-write/edit op-eds.
• Write and develop fact sheets, newsletters, web stories, social media posts and other pieces of communication.
• Cultivate relationships with appropriate beat reporters (i.e., Sacramento, DC, higher ed).
• Cultivate relationships and partnerships with CSU campus communications officers and legislative liaisons.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism or a related communications field is required.
• At least 8 years of progressively responsible public relations experience.
• At least 4 years of experience in public policy, advocacy, public affairs and/or similar roles.
• Experience working with California media covering public policy, advocacy, and politics.
• Proven track record of securing major media coverage.
• Strategic thinker and effective project manager who can work independently and collaboratively to find solutions.
• Self-motivated and able to take ownership for delivering projects with a high degree of autonomy.
• Thorough knowledge of best practices for public affairs in order to maximize the CSU’s presence in national, regional and trade media outlets.
• Exceptional writing and communications skills with a keen attention to detail.
• Ability to rapidly acquire knowledge about the system, policies and campuses with the ability to translate this information into messages that advance the good reputation of the university.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to work with executive leadership, legislators, influencers, writers, editors, graphic designers, web developers, photographers and members of the media.
• Discretion in managing confidential and sensitive matters.

Application Period

Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by May 12, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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].

Title IX

Please view the Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator at: https://www2.calstate.edu/titleix

E-Verify

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).

COVID19 Vaccination Policy

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.

Conflict of Interest

The duties of this position will include participation in decisions that may have a material financial benefit to the incumbent. Therefore, the selected candidate will be required to file Conflict of Interest Form 700: Statement of Economic Interest when they first occupy the position, and on an annual basis, complete ethics training within 6 months of appointment, and attend this training every other year thereafter.

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.