Senior Writer & Public Information Officer

About the role

The Senior Writer & Public Information Officer partners with the Assistant Dean, the Chief Marketing Communications Officer and the UCLA Samueli Communications team to shape and execute a strategic media‑relations program. This senior communications professional will leverage existing media contacts and the school’s media‑monitoring platform to secure consistent, positive coverage of faculty research and school initiatives.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and maintain general, trade and topic‑specific media lists for UCLA Samueli.
• Identify news‑worthy research stories and pitch them to traditional and digital journalists.
• Position faculty experts as go‑to sources for target media outlets.
• Write and edit press releases, op‑eds, faculty and alumni profiles, e‑newsletters, web features, event invitations, marketing materials and presentations.
• Assist the CMO in drafting speeches, talking points and briefing documents for senior leadership.
• Coordinate posting on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn to ensure consistent messaging.
• Develop and manage a proactive public‑relations program, including a speaker’s bureau for the Dean and other leaders.

Required profile

• Seasoned communications professional with extensive media relationships.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Deep understanding of journalists’ beats and faculty expertise.
• Strong editorial judgment and experience in higher‑education or research environments.

Required skills

• Proficiency with a media‑monitoring platform.
• Experience using major social‑media channels (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn) for institutional communication.

What we offer

• Opportunity to shape the public narrative of a leading engineering school.
• Collaboration with world‑class faculty and research teams.
• Access to professional development resources within the UCLA system.