Editorial Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

About San Francisco Bay University (SFBU)

San Francisco Bay University (SFBU) is a nonprofit, WASC-accredited university located in the heart of Silicon Valley. SFBU’s mission is to offer inclusive, innovative, and inspirational education for lifelong careers, preparing graduates to lead and serve in a global, technology driven society.

Guided by our Strategic Plan, SFBU is reimagining higher education through:

• Academic Innovation — integrating applied learning, entrepreneurship, and technology. Community Impact — cultivating partnerships that strengthen our regional and global ecosystem.
• Student Success — fostering personalized engagement and career readiness.
• Institutional Excellence — promoting transparency, effectiveness, and continuous improvement.

Position Summary

The Associate Director, Editorial & Operations is a key member of SFBU’s Communications & Marketing team, blending editorial excellence with operational leadership. This role manages the editorial calendar, content governance, intake and workflow systems, and internal and executive communications — ensuring that every message aligns with SFBU’s mission, values, and strategic priorities.

Reporting to the Director of Communications & Marketing, the Associate Director ensures a unified, high-quality voice across all channels and drives the operational efficiency that enables a fast-paced, creative communications environment to thrive. Located in Fremont, CA, this is an exempt, full-time position eligible for hybrid work.

Key Responsibilities

Editorial Leadership & Brand Governance

• Own and manage the institution-wide editorial calendar, aligning storytelling and content strategy to institutional priorities.
• Edit and quality-assure major content across digital, print, and executive platforms, ensuring adherence to brand, editorial, and accessibility standards.
• Provide editorial oversight and coaching to content creators to maintain clarity, consistency, and alignment with SFBU’s brand narrative.
• Partner with the Director to advance SFBU’s editorial vision, messaging framework, and storytelling excellence.

Internal & Executive Communications

• Lead internal communications for faculty, staff, and students, including the Bayhawk Bulletin, intranet updates, and community messages.
• Draft and refine speeches, memos, and executive communications for senior leadership.
• Partner with Operational Leaders and the President’s Office to strengthen internal storytelling and foster a transparent, connected university culture.

Operations, Intake & Workflow Management

• Lead weekly intake and prioritization meetings, managing team workflows, capacity, and deadlines.
• Maintain visibility into all projects to ensure timely, on-brand, and high-quality execution.
• Coordinate cross-functional content planning with Enrollment, Advancement, Academics, and Student Affairs.
• Support the Director in managing agency deliverables and optimizing collaboration between in-house and external resources.

Measurement, Analytics & Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate with Digital & Analytics to assess content performance and audience engagement metrics.
• Use insights to guide content planning, channel strategy, and message refinement.
• Maintain and evolve communications playbooks, templates, and process documentation to support scale and consistency.
• Champion a culture of learning, reflection, and operational excellence within the Communications team.

Core Competencies

Editorial & Communications Mastery

Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling ability; ensures clarity, quality, and brand alignment across all materials.

Operational Excellence

Designs and manages efficient workflows, balancing creativity with disciplined project management.

Collaboration & Influence

Builds trust and alignment across departments and with leadership; manages competing priorities diplomatically.

Strategic Thinking

Connects content decisions to institutional goals and audience insights.

Data-Informed Mindset

Uses analytics to inform planning and demonstrate impact.

Equity & Inclusion

Ensures all communications reflect SFBU’s values of diversity, belonging, and accessibility.

Qualifications & Experience

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in editorial leadership, communications strategy, or operations management.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and content development skills with strong attention to style, structure, and tone.
• Proven ability to manage cross-functional workflows, deadlines, and complex communications initiatives.
• Experience developing or managing internal and executive communications.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, accessibility, and audience-centered storytelling.

Preferred:

• Experience in higher education or mission-driven organizations.
• Familiarity with content management systems (CMS), project management platforms, and digital analytics tools.
• Experience with hybrid in-house and agency collaboration models.
• Demonstrated ability to scale content operations and improve processes.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Primarily office-based with hybrid flexibility.
• Some evening or weekend work may be required to support events or urgent communications. Physical requirements include lifting up to 20 lbs. and extended periods of computer use.

Salary: $100,000 - $150,000

Application Process

• A current résumé or CV.
• A brief cover letter highlighting your experience in editorial leadership and communications operations, and describing your approach to managing brand voice and workflow excellence.

This position description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

SFBU is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, deeply committed to building an inclusive and equitable workplace that reflects the diversity of our students and community.

In accordance with federal and state disability laws, San Francisco Bay University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require assistance during the application or interview process, please contact SFBU Human Resources at hrmgr@sfbu.edu.