Media Communications Specialist

MEDIA COMM SPEC 2 CM (005377)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_1000433

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

9/24/2026 7:37:20 PM

Date Last Edited:

9/29/2026 7:28:38 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

9/29/2026

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1180O

Organization:

LUSKIN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS        

Division Code:

1181D

Division:

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS               

Department:

118000 - DEAN'S OFFICE, SPA

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_1000433

Position Description ID

264398

UC Payroll Title:

MEDIA COMM SPEC 2 CM (005377)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

STEPS

Job Code FLSA:

Non-Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

CM: Comms, Mktg, & Sales Profs

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

41114151

Reports to Payroll Title:

COMM SPEC 4

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40052074

Department Head Payroll Title:

DEAN

SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent performs a variety of routine duties within established policies and procedures or by referral to the supervisor’s guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

The UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs seeks a dynamic, creative communications professional to join its communications team and help advance the School's reputation as a leading institution of research and education in public policy, social welfare and urban planning.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Communications, the Media Communications Specialist will help translate the School's communications strategy into compelling editorial content, media visibility, marketing communications, and reputation-building initiatives. The position requires an exceptionally strong writer and editor who can communicate complex academic research and institutional priorities across a range of audiences and platforms.

The position will write and develop news and feature stories, marketing and recruitment content, publication copy, web and email content, media materials and other communications. The position will support proactive media relations and thought-leadership efforts by researching opportunities, developing pitches and background materials, coordinating media requests and helping identify timely opportunities to elevate Luskin faculty and research.

The position will also support rankings and reputation initiatives, including coordinating materials and submissions, developing messaging and narratives, gathering information from academic and administrative units, and helping communicate rankings and other indicators of institutional distinction. In addition, the Communications Specialist will assist with production of School publications and other major communications projects.

The ideal candidate is a versatile and curious communications professional with exceptional writing skills, strong news judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects. The position works under the strategic direction of the Executive Director of Communications and collaborates closely with communications colleagues, faculty, staff, and School leadership.

Founded in 1994, UCLA Luskin incorporates the best practices in scholarship, research and teaching in the fields of social work, urban and regional planning, and policymaking. The unique intersection of these disciplines within one school allows for academic cross-collaboration and a rich education that values diverse perspectives at the macro- and micro- organizational levels. Graduates of the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs are well prepared to take leadership roles and effect change as practitioners, researchers and policymakers in the public, private and non-governmental sectors.

Editorial and Content Development

1. Write original long- and short-form content for digital and print communications, including news and feature stories, faculty and research profiles, web/digital content, newsletters, institutional messaging and other School communications.

2. Interview faculty, students, alumni and other members of the Luskin community and translate academic research, programs and accomplishments into clear, engaging content for external audiences.

3. Assist in maintaining the School’s editorial calendar and identifying stories that support communications priorities.

4. Conduct background research for stories, leadership messages, website content, publications and other communications materials.

5. Edit, fact-check and proofread communications materials for accuracy, clarity, grammar, and style.

40%

Marketing, Rankings and Reputation Communications

1. Develop and edit strategic marketing content for priority academic programs and School initiatives, including digital advertising, email campaigns, landing pages, brochures, web content and other recruitment and reputation-building materials.

2. Work from established messaging and marketing strategy to develop compelling audience-focused copy across communications channels.

3. Support rankings submissions and other institutional reputation initiatives.

4. Draft and refine rankings narratives, program descriptions, institutional profiles and other materials.

5. Collaborate with the Executive Director and other team members on marketing campaigns and special communications initiatives.

35%

Publications and Communications Production  

1. Assist with the development and production of School publications, reports, brochures and other major print and digital projects.

2. Coordinate editorial materials, deadlines, review processes and approvals for publications and other communications projects.

3. Serve as a production liaison with designers, printers, photographers and other vendors as assigned.

4. Gather, organize and prepare copy, photography, captions, data and other assets for publication.

5. Proofread layouts and review production materials for accuracy, consistency and adherence to School and UCLA brand standards.

6. Assist with additional communications production needs and special projects as priorities required.

15%

Media Relations and Thought Leadership Support

1. Support the Executive Director of Communications in implementing the School’s media relations and external visibility strategy.

2. Monitor current events, research developments, and public conversations to help identify timely opportunities to elevate Luskin faculty expertise and research.

3. Research journalists, media outlets, podcasts, newsletters and other potential platforms relevant to School priorities.

4. Draft media pitches, press releases, media advisories, talking points, faculty expert descriptions and other media materials.

5. Help maintain media contacts, faculty expertise resources and records of media outreach and coverage.

6. Work with the communications team to amplify significant media coverage through Luskin-owned communications channels.

10%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree

Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Political Science, Public Affairs or related fields are a plus, or an equivalent combination of experience/training.

Required

2 or more years

of professional experience in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, editorial content or a related field.

Required

Experience in higher education, public affairs, research, publication production, institutional rankings, digital marketing, media relations or mission-driven communications.

Preferred

Exceptional writing and editing skills, with demonstrated ability to produce clear, compelling, accurate content for a range of editorial, marketing, media relations, web, email, publication or similar communications content.

Required

Solid experience in news and communications judgment, including the ability to identify compelling stories, faculty expertise, research findings and opportunities relevant to external audiences.

Required

Excellent organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, stakeholders, deadlines and changing priorities.

Required

Strong interpersonal, collaborative skills, and positive attitude, with the ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, leadership, external partners and a small communications team.

Required

Strong initiative, curiosity and judgment, with the ability to work independently, research unfamiliar topics, identify communications opportunities and incorporate direction and feedback.

Required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.

COVID and Flu Vaccinations: The position is subject to providing evidence of inoculation.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

UCLA Public Affairs Building

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.