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Executive Director of Strategic Communications

University Advancement

Job # 559593

Close Date: August 31, 2026

At Cal Poly Humboldt, bold hearts and open minds shape the future.

Founded in 1913, Cal Poly Humboldt began as a small college for teachers. Today Humboldt has grown into a comprehensive university with rigorous science and liberal arts programs. Designated a polytechnic in 2022, Cal Poly Humboldt provides hands-on, impactful educational opportunities that lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes for the individual, for the state, and the world.

Cal Poly Humboldt is proud to have more than 6,000 students of all backgrounds spread across 61 majors, 13 graduate programs, and 4 credential programs - all of whom contribute passion and creativity within their fields and set the stage for a future grounded in equity and sustainability. Hands-on learning, inspired teaching, ground-breaking research, and thought-provoking creative activity happen daily at Humboldt.

Finding a better future is a task for the bold and open, the down-to-earth and visionary. Cal Poly Humboldt strives to cultivate these qualities in leaders, innovators, and scholars in every field. As part of the California State University (CSU) system, Cal Poly Humboldt is part of one of the nation's largest and most impactful public university systems, where education, innovation, and service create meaningful change for California and beyond. See what it's like to work at the CSU-watch our video and imagine your future at Cal Poly Humboldt.

(Job #559593) Administrator III, Executive Director of Strategic Communications, CSU Classification Salary Range: $6,891- $22,119 per month, Anticipated Hiring Range: $6,891 - $12,084 per month. Final salary placement is commensurate with experience, internal equity, and budget considerations.  This is a full-time, benefited, exempt, 12-month pay plan, at-will position in the Division of University Advancement. This position is an Administrator III in the California State University Management Personnel Plan (MPP). Under this plan, incumbents are subject to normal management reviews and serve at the pleasure of the University President. Additional information can be found at: http://www.calstate.edu/HRAdm/policies/mpp.shtml. This position comes with a premium benefits package that includes outstanding vacation, medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, voluntary pre-tax health and dependent care reimbursement accounts, a fee waiver education program, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and 15 paid holidays per year. Additional benefits information can be found at https://www.humboldt.edu/hr/employee-benefits.

Position Summary:

Under the general direction of the Vice President of University Advancement, the Executive Director of Strategic Communications serves as the official voice of Cal Poly Humboldt and shares the President's vision, values and priorities while articulating a unified message about the university's unique story. Supervises the News & Information team and is responsible for planning, implementing, and leading integrated, compelling communications strategies that reflect the overall university brand. Expected to actively engage with the community, publicly representing the university and modeling professional written and verbal communication. Also responsible for maintaining communications industry standards, evaluating evolving audience expectations, and learning the communications preferences of the Cal Poly Humboldt community.

Key Responsibilities:

40% - Serves as the university spokesperson. Manages the creation of and directs strategic communications for the university while providing proactive guidance to departments and units in the creation of their communications strategies and tactics. Leads emergency and crisis communications and leads crisis communications planning.

Writes and edits speeches, remarks, talking points, scripts, letters, email messages and reports on behalf of senior leadership.

Under the direction of the Vice President, University Advancement, develops communication plans for leadership and strategic priorities.

Working closely with the Director of Marketing, the News & Information team, and campus communicators, identify opportunities to elevate university leadership priorities and brand messaging in storytelling content.

In collaboration with the Director of Marketing and the News & Information and Creative Services teams within Marketing & Communications, create written, visual and audio content for the web, social media, email and other outlets.

25% - Directs all public relations activities for the university and serves as the public information officer directing media relations strategy and engagement with media outlets and provides guidance to stakeholders who are contacted by the media.

30% - Leads and directs the work of the News & Information staff and has responsibility for personnel actions including hiring, performance management, and termination.

Ensures that output aligns with the university's mission, vision, values, and priorities as well as manages day-to-day functions of the communications unit.

Defines performance metrics and measures the success of specific communications or campaigns. Establishes departmental policies, practices, and procedures that have a significant impact on the university.

Provides input and manages the communications budget in consultation with the Vice President, University Advancement.

In partnership with the Director of Marketing and other campus partners as needed, provide content and strategic input with earned and paid media projects.

5% - Other Duties as Assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Associated with this Position Include:

As related to the major responsibilities for this position:

Ability to serve as an on-camera spokesperson.

Strong verbal, writing and editing skills, including writing and editing content for the web.

Demonstrated effective communication with technical and non-technical individuals and groups at all levels of an organization.

Ability to identify and implement methods to measure the success of our communications initiatives and to improve earned and paid media placements as well as university thought leadership.

Strong experience with issues management and crisis communications.

Experience as a trusted advisor, content creator and project manager who exemplifies a university culture of trust, innovation, collaboration, inclusion and diversity.

Ability to create compelling content in multiple forms and in written and spoken voices of senior leaders.

Ability to coordinate work projects, determine priorities, set deadlines and complete projects accordingly, along with an ability to continually prioritize and juggle competing demands and deadlines.

Ability to manage situations and communications that require considerable sensitivity, discretion, judgment, or negotiation.

Assesses content effectiveness; gathers data and metrics, analyzes results and makes recommendations; performs special projects and other duties as assigned.

Ability to quickly discern possible impacts of potential and real crises on the university's mission and values, strategic objectives, operations, audience expectations and reputation.

Ability to view and analyze the impacts of potential and real crises in context of events and issues of current prominence.

Relentless attention to detail.

Ability to work nights and weekends, as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations, communications, graphic design, English or a related communication field.
• At least six (6) years of related professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience leading a dynamic communications and marketing organization in a higher education setting is highly preferred.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of related professional experience, with higher education experience preferred.
• Established relationships with reporters in national markets.
• Graduate degree in a related field is preferred.
• Experience with successfully leading a media relations program and strategy attentive to both earned and paid media.
• Experience as an on-camera spokesperson.
• Superior writing, editing and proofreading ability and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge and/or experience producing communications materials for both English and Spanish speakers.

Application Procedure: To apply, qualified candidates must electronically submit the following materials by clicking the Apply Now button:

• Letter of Interest
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for at least three Supervisor references

Application Deadline: The deadline to submit application materials is 11:55 p.m. on August 31, 2026.

Any inquiries about this recruitment can be directed to careers@humboldt.edu or Cal Poly Humboldt's Human Resources Office at (707) 826-3626.

We acknowledge that Cal Poly Humboldt is located on the unceded lands of the Wiyot people, where they have resided from time immemorial. We encourage all to gain a deeper understanding of their history and thriving culture. As an expression of our gratitude, we are genuinely committed to developing trusting, reciprocal, and long-lasting partnerships with the Wiyot people as well as all of our neighboring tribes. Cal Poly Humboldt was the first campus in the California State University system to offer a stand-alone major in Native American Studies.

Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to enriching its educational environment and its culture through the diversity of its staff, faculty, and administration. Persons with interest and experience in helping organizations set and achieve goals relative to diversity and inclusion are especially encouraged to apply.

Working in the state of California is a condition of employment for this position. Even if part or all of an employee's assignment can be performed remotely, the employee must maintain a permanent residence in the state of California. The employee must be able to accept on-campus work assignment, as assigned, and come to campus when needed.

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 measure established by each campus. The systemwide policy can be found at CSU Vaccination Policy and any questions you have may be submitted to hr@humboldt.edu.

Cal Poly Humboldt hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. This position may be considered a "Campus Security Authority", pursuant to the Clery Act, and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1107 a condition of employment.

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

Evidence of required degree(s), certification(s), or license(s) is required prior to the appointment date. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check, employment verification, and education verification) is required for employment. Cal Poly Humboldt will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or if it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  Certain positions may also require a credit check, motor vehicle report, and/or fingerprinting through Live Scan service. Failure to satisfactorily complete or adverse findings from a background check may affect the employment status of candidates or continued employment of current CSU employees who are being considered for the position.

This position is a "designated position" in the California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission." In reference to the full disclosure letter, please refer to HR 2010-08.

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, the Cal Poly Humboldt provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly Humboldt complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California's Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU's Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.  Cal Poly Humboldt is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respe...