Media Relations Manager

Job Summary

The Media Relations Manager partners with the Senior Director of Media Relations to develop and maintain strategies that raise the university's stature through media relations and content development. With the goal of obtaining media placements, the incumbent envisions and implements programs and processes to cultivate relationships with key stakeholders. Internal stakeholders include the President, President's cabinet, deans, donors, as well as external stakeholders, including newsroom executives and content producers on the local, national and international levels. The Media Relations Manager also leads in response to media inquiries, and assists the Senior Director of Media Relations in media inquiries responding to crisis and campus emergencies, as needed; Develops and implements strategies to create and cross-promote news content on all university platforms, with a specific focus on producing content around university initiatives; Monitors and analyzes media coverage, maintains media databases and utilizes public relations and earned media software to produce analysis reports on pitches, story placements and media campaigns; and assists with development of a crisis communications protocol based on best practices and in accordance with federal guidelines. In the absence of SAVP of University Marketing and Communications and the Senior Director of Media Relations, the incumbent works directly with the VP Admin. & Finance and Police Chief to implement protocol.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintains relationships with key stakeholders with the goal of obtaining media placements.
• Develop and implement a series of cultivation opportunities, including a university experts' program with media training for experts, and organize events bringing together members of the media and experts.
• Work with Media Relations Senior Director on conceptualization, development and implementation of basic and advanced media training programs for all university personnel.
• Monitor and analyze campus and current (local, regional, national, global) events in order to identify and take the lead in capitalizing on media opportunities that will promote the university and increase positive media coverage in alignment with the university's brand platform.
• Assist the Media Relations Senior Director to develop strategies to identify, develop and promote news stories reflecting the university's brand platform.
• Lead in response to media inquiries, and assists Senior Director of Media Relations in media inquiries responding to crisis, as needed.
• Manage requests from university stakeholders for assistance with media inquiries; Facilitate briefings and educational events.
• Procure and provide supporting materials to the media, including photography and videography.
• Write and distribute news releases and media advisories.
• Arrange and manage news conferences, issues news releases, speaks to reporters.
• Monitor and analyze media coverage and develops daily reports for management and the CSU.
• Maintain online database for proactive and reactive media placements, media pitches, hits and contact information.
• Produce reports for media campaigns and/or topics that further the university's mission.
• Manage university media list, continually updating through use of public relations and earned media software to find new media prospects for the university.
• Develop "crystal ball" calendar to analyze proactive pitching opportunities throughout the year.
• Leverage multiple media channels, traditional as well as all web platforms, for storytelling and pitching purposes.
• Serve as a media spokesperson, as designated.
• Work in accordance with Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines to staff the Emergency Operations Center and Joint Information Center, as needed.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Exceptional interpersonal skills including ability to develop constructive, cooperative and long-lasting working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, the culture and protocols of public higher education
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Thorough knowledge of the way newsrooms function
• Ability to recognize and implement thematic material
• Working knowledge of copyright and other applicable laws pertaining to publications and the media
• Ability to use online databases, e.g. Cision, Muck Rack
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple demands and projects simultaneously; and work independently with minimum supervisions as well as part of a team
• Thorough knowledge of media relations methods, procedures and practices
• Ability to advise management on various approaches to media relations
• Ability to write news releases, speeches and articles for print, broadcast and online media
• Ability to keep abreast of campus events and subject matter expertise in relation to current events to identify and capitalize on media opportunities that will promote the university and increase positive media coverage
• Knowledge of Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines regarding the Emergency Operations Center and Joint Information Center models
• Expert skill at writing professional-toned, engaging and persuasive content for print, web and social media
• Knowledge of the functions, duties and organizational structure of public safety departments, public health departments, state emergency services, and city and county governments
• Demonstrated ability to quickly analyze dynamic situations, synthesize and verify information, and offer guidance to the university leadership team
• Ability to track and provide feedback to management from the public, employees and other stakeholders

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent training
• Five or more years of experience in media relations or as a media specialist

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Communications or Journalism
• Seven or more years of experience in media relations or as a media specialist, specifically for higher education; Experience as a former reporter/journalist; Video production and social media experience

Compensation

Classification: Administrator I
Anticipated Hiring Range: $7,500/month - $7,916/month
CSU Salary Range: $4,135/month - $12,288/month

The final hiring salary will be commensurate with experience.

San Jose State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: February 20, 2025 through March 5, 2025. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

University Personnel
jobs@sjsu.edu
408-924-2252

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University 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 and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment, and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third-party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San Jose State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San Jose State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San Jose State University (SJSU) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, or protected veteran status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. This policy applies to all SJSU students, faculty and staff programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus).

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