Media Relations Officer; Marketing Communications Professional III

Media Relations Officer (Marketing Communications Professional III)

Job no: 562411
Work type: Staff
Location: San Diego
Categories: Unit 9 - CSUEU - Technical Support Services, Probationary, Full Time, Marketing/Communications, Telecommute eligible (work onsite as scheduled and/or as requested and telecommute as scheduled)

SDSU is seeking a Media Relations Officer with experience in media relations and journalistic science writing — identifying newsworthy research and translating complex findings into clear, accurate, and engaging stories for general audiences. To help tell the stories emerging from the university’s research enterprise, with a particular focus on the College of Engineering, the media relations officer will help tell the stories emerging from the university’s research enterprise.

Under the direction of the senior director of media relations and deputy chief communications officer, work directly with researchers, faculty, university leaders, reporters, and fellow communicators to translate complex ideas into compelling stories and help those stories reach audiences locally, nationally, and internationally.

This is a hands‑on communications role with plenty of variety. One day, you may be interviewing a researcher, writing about a new discovery and pitching the story to national media; another, you may be developing a communications plan as part of a college‑wide initiative, preparing a faculty member for an interview, responding to a media inquiry, or creating multimedia and social media content.

You will also monitor news and online conversations, assess emerging issues and reputational risks, and recommend messaging and communications strategies.

Find compelling stories across SDSU’s research enterprise, particularly in engineering, science, and technology.

Translate complex research into clear, engaging stories for SDSU News Center, SDSU Magazine, websites, social media, external media pitching, and other channels.

Develop multimedia and short‑form content that expands the reach of research stories.

Media Relations

Develop targeted pitches, news releases, media advisories, and communications plans.

Build relationships with regional, national, and international reporters and identify opportunities to connect SDSU experts with the news.

Coordinate interviews and prepare faculty and staff for media engagement.

Respond to media inquiries and develop recommended messaging and statements.

College of Engineering Communications

Serve as a key communications partner to College of Engineering faculty and leadership.

Identify stories, develop communications strategies, and coordinate media relations, editorial, and social media efforts.

Develop the College of Engineering newsletter

Collaborate across Strat Comm and with campus communications partners to keep messaging aligned.

Issues & Emerging Communications

Monitor news and social media for emerging issues, misinformation, and reputational concerns.

Draft holding statements, FAQs, reactive messaging, and communications recommendations.

Balance proactive storytelling with the real‑time communications needs of a large public research university.

We’re looking for an experienced communicator who can move comfortably between journalistic science writing, media relations and strategic communications. You should be able to interview researchers and translate complex scientific and technical information into clear, accurate and compelling stories for general audiences. This is not a grant writing or technical writing role. You should be able to make complicated subjects accessible, recognize a strong story, build relationships with reporters, manage competing priorities, and exercise good judgment…