Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, occasional weekends and evenings may be required. Must be available for emergency situations as determined by ASI and the University. Hybrid eligible. Application review will begin January 8, 2025, and will be reviewed until the position is filled. Our anticipated interview schedule will take place January 27, 2025- February 7, 2025. OVERVIEW Established in 1963, Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) is a non-profit corporation guided by a student board and managed by full-time professional staff. ASI is a part of the Cal Poly Pomona Division of Student Affairs with a dashed reporting line to Administrative Affairs. ASI serves the entire campus population, including over 26,000 students, by providing opportunities for student engagement, student employment, and a multitude of programs and services such as recreation and wellness, student union and activities, student government, and childcare. ASI operational support areas include human resources, financial services, information technology, facilities management, and marketing. ASI employees exhibit our values of integrity, honor, dedication, loyalty, and respect in every interaction with each other, our students, the campus community, and guests of Cal Poly Pomona. Founded in 1995, award-winning Marketing, Design & Public Relations (MDPR) is one of the most respected Marketing groups at Cal Poly Pomona. It maintains its creativity and dynamic marketing strategies through an experienced, talented team of students and professional staff in combination with the use of today's most cutting-edge technology. Its goal is to connect their clients to their respective audiences with a fresh and innovative solution. MDPR not only serves all of ASI's internal marketing needs, but it provides the campus and local community with the opportunity to utilize their experience-driven, competitively priced, design and marketing communications services as well. Some of the services the team provides are logo design, brochure design, digital bulletin boards advertisements, and event/program poster design. POSITION DEFINITIONUnder the general supervision of the ASI Associate Director of Marketing and Strategic Communications, the Communications Manager provides oversight and management of ASI's messaging across multiple channels, including written content, public relations efforts, and high-production media, to elevate the organization's visibility, engage students, and promote ASI's mission and goals. This role collaborates with the ASI Board of Directors to meet their communication needs while leading a team dedicated to creating and maintaining cohesive, impactful communication efforts. In the absence of the Associate Director of Marketing and Strategic Communications, this position will temporarily serve as the point of contact for strategic communications to meet the needs of the organization. This position manages the unit which includes the communications area and the social media area. The primary responsibility is to provide effective leadership and development of approximately 20 part-time staff to carry out the goals of the unit.ESSENTIAL DUTIESPrimary Management & Team Leadership
- Recruit, select, hire, train, supervise, coach, evaluate and develop the communication and social media staff, which typically includes, but is not limited to, (1) communications supervisor, (6) communication assistants, (2) social media supervisors, (10) social media marketing assistants, and (1) project assistant
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of ASI's communication and social media areas including all efforts to ensuring projects are completed on time and to the highest standard
- Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities to part-time staff, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented work environment
Primary Responsibilities
- Manage the development, implementation, and oversight of ASI's comprehensive communication strategies to effectively promote programs, services, achievements, and initiatives to the campus community and beyond, in collaboration with key stakeholders
- Manage and direct communication efforts for ASI's public relations team, acting as the primary liaison for on-campus media sources and external stakeholders
- Lead and oversee editorial efforts, including high-level copywriting, proofreading, and copy editing, to ensure all communication materials adhere to ASI's messaging standards and writing style guides
- Provide specialized assistance with the communication strategy, guiding messaging and public relations efforts for all ASI-related initiatives, including high-level content creation, media outreach, and brand positioning
- Manage the development and review of scripts for high-production video series, presentations, and other multimedia content, ensuring messaging aligns with ASI's strategic goals, in collaboration with key stakeholders
- Prepares, presents, implements, and administers the communication and social media budget and is responsible for the tracking, reconciliation, and reporting of related budgets and direct accountability for final results
- Oversee ASI's internal communications by managing content and engagement on ASI Teams Channels and the internal newsletter, ensuring clear, consistent, and timely communication across departments and with staff members
- Attends all Board of Director meetings and partners directly with the Board to fulfill their communication needs, including crafting statements, developing talking points, and producing materials for board-led initiatives and events
- In collaboration with key stakeholders, lead the co-development and implementation of comprehensive communication plans for the ASI Brand Ambassadors program, ensuring ambassadors are equipped with consistent messaging to effectively represent ASI's brand and engage with the CPP community.
- Prepare and present quarterly reports to the ASI Leadership Team and Board of Directors, providing insights from data analytics on online marketing efforts, social media performance, and campaign effectiveness to inform strategic decisions and enhance digital engagement
- Create, manage, and uphold the ASI Writing Style Guide and ensure consistent application across all communication platforms both internally and externally
- In collaboration with key stakeholders, develop and lead ASI's storytelling initiatives, ensuring clear, compelling, and strategic communication that enhances ASI's reputation and student engagement
Public Relations & Communications
- Manage media relations, including responding to media inquiries, organizing press interviews, and fostering relationships with key media outlets
- Lead and oversee the creation of press releases, media advisories, speeches, and public statements to enhance ASI's presence in on-campus media
- Collaborate with key internal and external stakeholders to develop effective communication plans for events, campaigns, and organizational initiatives
- Work closely with the ASI Board of Directors to shape their communication strategies that align with ASI's overall goals, ensuring alignment across all communication platforms
- Oversee and lead strategic communication efforts for large-scale events, coordinating media coverage, promotional efforts, and digital campaigns to ensure successful execution
- Collaborate with the ASI Board of Directors, program staff, and campus partners to develop communication strategies that meet the diverse needs of the ASI community
- Partner with key stakeholders across the university to amplify ASI's messaging, build relationships, and drive engagement with campus-wide initiatives
Content Development & Social Media
- Manage the creation of social media content, including video production, digital graphics, and high-quality visuals, ensuring all content is cohesive and communicates ASI's mission effectively
- Lead and oversee the development and distribution of original content across ASI's social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok), ensuring messages are aligned with ASI's communication goals and social media strategies
- Lead and oversee social media campaigns and content calendars, ensuring consistent messaging and engagement across platforms
- Responsible for ASI's digital marketing initiatives to drive student engagement and awareness, using data-driven strategies to maximize impact across all channels
- Oversee the monitoring of ASI's online presence, responses to real-time events, and engagement with the CPP community utilizing social media listening tools
- Oversee relationship development with student influencers and campus media outlets to broaden ASI's reach and represent the perspectives of CPP's diverse student population
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field
- Minimum three years of progressive supervisory experience with demonstrated ability to develop staff and lead a team
- Minimum three years of progressive management experience in communications, social media, or public relations, including;
- Demonstrated expertise in developing and executing communication strategies, including writing for various formats (e.g., press releases, scripts, digital content, social media)
- Strong copywriting, proofreading, and copy-editing skills with a keen attention to grammatical detail and adherence to AP style
- Experience working directly with executive leadership, such as a Board of Directors, to support high-level communication needs
- Ability to manage media relations, develop press materials, and coordinate with media outlets for event coverage and public relations efforts
- Proficiency with social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, X) and social media management tools
- Strong organizational, leadership, and team management skills, with the ability to balance multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
- Demonstrated ability to work independently while ensuring alignment with organizational goals and messaging standards
- Knowledge of and skill in budgeting and fiscal management
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to work with a diverse student population and campus community
- Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment and make sound decisions in complex situations with minimal supervision
- Experience working in higher education environment, preferred
POSITION SENSITIVITY Based on the duties and responsibilities of this position, this position has been designated to be a sensitive position with access to sensitive data. A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can begin employment with Associated Students, Inc., Cal Poly Pomona. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current ASI employees who apply for this position. BACKGROUND CHECK A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with Associated Students, Inc., Cal Poly Pomona. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current ASI employees who apply for this position. WORK ENVIRONMENTWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, and hear; manual dexterity, eye-hand coordination, and verbal communication; use of office equipment: telephones, calculator, copier and fax. Must be able to walk, stand, bend, and lift up to 45 pounds. MANDATED REPORTING REQUIREMENTIn compliance with the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) and the CSU Executive Order 1083, each ASI employee is designated as a mandated reporter and is required to sign an Acknowledgment of Mandated Reporter Status and Legal Duty to Report Child Abuse and Neglect. SYSTEMWIDE SMOKE AND TOBACCO FREE ENVIRONMENT EO 1108: Cal Poly Pomona is a smoke and tobacco-free campus. Please refer to the link below for policy information. COVID-19 VACCINATIONCSU, along with Associated Students Inc., strongly recommends all staff who are physically accessing campus facilities or programs to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, which includes obtaining a COVID-19 booster dose. See policy at