Senior Media Relations Officer

University of California; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California Office of the President is seeking a strategic and experienced Senior Media Relations Officer to pitch positive systemwide stories, field media inquiries, and develop strategic communications plans for the UC system and its senior leaders. The role partners across External Relations, campus media, and government affairs to advance priorities and manage high-profile narratives.

This position requires strong copywriting, message strategy, and reporter-relations skills,

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in deadline-driven journalism or communications role.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public policy, or similar field, or equivalent experience.
• Advanced ability to write clear, engaging copy for senior leaders and complex organizations with minimal edits.
• Extensive experience with message strategy and traditional/social media instincts; strong reporter relationships.
• Demonstrated capacity for creative thinking and synthesis of complex information for media outreach.
• Collaborative, proactive, nimble, and capable of working in a small, high-performing team.
• Able to balance multiple short-term deadlines with long-term projects independently.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to build productive partnerships and consensus.

Responsibilities

• Pitch positive systemwide stories and field media inquiries.
• Develop strategic communications plans and related materials for UC and senior leaders.
• Coordinate with External Relations, marketing, and campus media leaders.
• Identify high-impact storytelling opportunities and craft strategic media outreach.
• Cultivate national, state, and local media engagement to strengthen UC’s reputation.
• Develop responses to high-profile and sensitive media inquiries.
• Provide counsel to protect and advance the University's reputation during heightened attention.

Skills

Media relations

Strategic communications

Copywriting

Reporter relations

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public policy, or similar field

Job description

University of California Office of the President

Senior Media Relations Officer

The University of California Office of the President (UCOP) seeks a strategic and experienced communications and media relations professional to serve as its next Senior Media Relations Officer. Reporting to the Senior Director, Strategic and Critical Communications, the Senior Media Relations Officer for the UCOP, the university's systemwide headquarters, is responsible for pitching positive systemwide stories, fielding media inquiries, and developing strategic communications plans and other materials for the University of California (UC) and its senior leaders, including press releases, statements, op-eds, FAQs, talking points, and press briefings.

This key team member will partner closely with External Relations and Communications colleagues across marketing, communications, and federal and state government relations, as well as campus media leaders to develop and execute proactive communications strategies that advance university and presidential priorities. The position will identify high-impact storytelling opportunities, craft and support strategic media outreach, coordinate multimedia assets, and cultivate national, state, and local media engagement to strengthen UC's reputation, reinforce its leadership on critical issues, and highlight the University's impact across California, the nation, and the world. The role will also help manage emerging issues, develop strategic communications responses to high-profile and sensitive media inquiries, and provide counsel that protects and advances the University's reputation during periods of heightened public attention.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in deadline-driven journalism or communications role (such as media relations, public affairs, crisis communications, etc.), preferably in a large, complex organization.

• A bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public policy, or similar relevant field, or equivalent work experience/training.

• Advanced ability to write clear, engaging, compelling, and effective copy appropriate to target audiences, including writing on behalf of senior leaders and complex organizations, with minimal editing and feedback necessary.
• Extensive experience with message strategy creation and implementation, solid traditional and social media instincts, and a proven track record of developing relationships with reporters.
• Have demonstrated capacity for creative thinking and synthesis of complex information; able to generate fresh ideas for media outreach approaches that reflect University objectives.
• Collaborative, proactive, nimble, and enjoys rolling up their sleeves and working as part of a small, high-performing team in a fast-paced environment.
• Adept at synthesizing various viewpoints and incorporating constructive feedback into final communications.
• Ability to juggle multiple short-term deadlines alongside long-term projects, combining speed, accuracy, and excellence in everyday performance; demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision to accomplish high-profile tasks and meet concurrent deadlines.
• Exceptional interpersonal and client relationship skills to develop productive partnerships and build consensus. Ego-free, service-oriented approach and experience working with cross-functional teams.
• Have a passion for mission-driven, meaningful work and familiarity with issues and trends in higher education.
• Demonstrates the highest levels of reliability, trustworthiness, and integrity.
• Excellent analytical and decision-making skills; solid political acumen and problem recognition, avoidance, and resolution skills.
• Experience with digital platforms, including creatively leveraging their reach to achieve strategic communications goals.
• Knowledge of the University of California, its achievements, mission, vision, goals, objectives, programs, policies, and structure (preferred).

The budgeted salary range for Senior Media Relations Officer position is $132,000-$150,000. The University of California Office of the President is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range shows the growth potential for this position, and the pay scale is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging.

The person hired will be required to reside within California and report to work on-site at Office of the President (UCOP) located in Oakland, CA at least two days a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (‘anchor days’).

The full position description can be viewed here.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

The University of California, Office of the President, strives to make this job board accessible to any and all users. If you have comments regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us at: Accessibility or email the Human Resource Department at: [e-mail].