Job Summary

Under general direction of the Associate Vice President, the Senior Communications Strategist advances Cal Poly’s university-wide communications and marketing goals in partnership with specific colleges and divisions through strategic planning. This position provides strategic communications and marketing leadership, operational direction and is responsible for implementing best practices with their assigned colleges/divisions.

Department Summary

University Communications and Marketing (UCM) serves as the ambassadors, stewards and protectors of Cal Poly’s reputation and brand. We tell the story of what sets the university apart, such as the power of Cal Poly’s hands-on, Learn by Doing philosophy; the achievements of its accomplished students, faculty, staff and alumni; and its spectacular location on the Central Coast of California that allows its people to make impacts locally, throughout California and around the world.

Key Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in strategic brand building and reputation enhancement.
• Demonstrated experience in creating and executing strategic communications and marketing plans.
• Demonstrated ability to provide lead work direction, develop and coach others in the creation of effective and efficient strategic communications and marketing plans. 
• Experience anticipating long-range consequences of decisions and strategizing accordingly.

Education and Experience

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university and five years of progressively responsible professional experience in marketing and public relations, communications, or a related field. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Salary and Benefits

The anticipated hiring range for this role is $95,000 - $120,000. Note that the offer is calculated based on the background and relevant years of experience of the individual selected.

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Diversity Statement

At Cal Poly, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly's values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.

Cal Poly's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. Cal Poly is an equal opportunity employer. 

Supplemental Information

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

This position may be "Designated" under California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. This would require the filing of a Statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis and the completion of training within 6 months of assuming office and every 2 years thereafter.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H-1B visas).