Senior Writer & Media Relations Lead

UCLA; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

UCLA Samueli in Los Angeles seeks a Senior Writer and Public Information Officer to develop a strategic media-relations program, manage media lists, and craft compelling pitches that spotlight faculty and research. You will write and edit electronic publications, web content, speeches and posts, coordinating with the CMO to raise the school’s visibility.

Evening/weekend events may be required to secure coverage; a newsroom-grade writer with strong relationships will drive positive, ongoing media

Qualifications

• Minimum of five (5) years of full-time professional experience in journalism and media relations.
• Strong relationships with mainstream science and technology reporters regionally (Los Angeles) nationally and internationally. (Required)
• Superior newsroom writing (AP Style) and editing skills; translate technical research into accessible content.
• Experience spearheading high-profile media events and fielding many media inquiries.
• Expertise in identifying, delivering media-relations metrics to demonstrate ROI.
• Advanced knowledge of working with social media to build and strengthen School brand.
• Ability to think creatively and work under deadlines in a fast-paced team setting.
• Ability to attend evening and weekend events occasionally to facilitate media coverage.
• Experience in PR agency, in-house communications, or nonprofit environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a proactive media-relations plan for UCLA Samueli.
• Create and maintain general/trade/topic-specific media lists.
• Pitch compelling stories from research and school activities to journalists.
• Position faculty experts as go-to sources for target media outlets.
• Draft speeches and talking points for leadership engagements.
• Coordinate with Communications team to post on main social channels.

Skills

Media relations

AP Style writing

Editing

Newsroom writing

Story pitching

Social media management

Event management

ROI metrics reporting

Team collaboration

Deadline-driven

Education

Bachelor's Degree in journalism, communications or related field

Job description

UCLA Samueli in Los Angeles seeks a Senior Writer and Public Information Officer to develop a strategic media-relations program, manage media lists, and craft compelling pitches that spotlight faculty and research. You will write and edit electronic publications, web content, speeches and posts, coordinating with the CMO to raise the school’s visibility.

Evening/weekend events may be required to secure coverage; a newsroom-grade writer with strong relationships will drive positive, ongoing media