Posted: May 20, 2026

Director of Marketing, Communications, and Public Affairs

Cuesta College - San Luis Obispo, CA

Application Deadline: N/A

Director of Marketing, Communications, and Public Affairs

Cuesta College

Salary: $119,052.00 - $144,708.00 Annually

Job Type: Full Time - 12 Months/ 100% FTE

Job Number: FY2526-00159

Location: All Campuses or other sites, CA

Department: Presidents Office

Closing: 6/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

DEFINITION

Under the direction of an assigned administrator, the Director of Marketing, Communications, and Public Affairs provides strategic leadership for the District's marketing, communications, media relations, and public affairs functions.

The Director develops and oversees the District's comprehensive communications strategy to strengthen the college's public image, advance institutional priorities, support enrollment and student success initiatives, and enhance engagement with the community, media, and governmental partners.

The Director serves as the District's Public Information Officer, leads external communications and media relations, and oversees the development and execution of integrated marketing campaigns.

The Director supervises assigned employees.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Director is responsible for leading the District's strategic marketing and communications vision and ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, including enrollment growth, community engagement, public awareness, and resource development.

The Director represents the District in interactions with the media, governmental entities, and community stakeholders and provides strategic communications counsel to assigned supervisor and senior leadership.

This position requires a high degree of independent judgment, leadership in crisis and sensitive communications, and the ability to shape the District's public narrative through coordinated marketing, public relations, and public affairs efforts.

The Director supervises assigned personnel and oversees the development and implementation of districtwide marketing strategies, campaigns, and messaging.

Essential Functions & Qualifications

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Develop and lead the District's comprehensive marketing, communications, and public affairs strategy;

Serve as the District's Public Information Officer and primary spokesperson for media inquiries;

Direct media relations, including press strategy, interviews, press conferences, and crisis communications;

Provide strategic communications counsel to assigned supervisor and District leadership;

Oversee development of integrated marketing campaigns supporting enrollment, student success, institutional priorities, and community engagement;

Lead the development of the District's brand strategy and ensure consistent messaging across all communication platforms;

Oversee public affairs and governmental relations communications that strengthen the District's relationships with elected officials, community leaders, and public agencies;

Supervise assigned employees;

Oversee the District's advertising strategy, including media planning, creative direction, and campaign performance;

Establish and maintain relationships with regional media outlets and community organizations;

Coordinate crisis communications and sensitive messaging on behalf of the District;

Oversee the development of major institutional communications, including announcements, reports, and public messaging;

Manage the marketing and communications budget;

Serve on District leadership committees and provide communications guidance on institutional initiatives;

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties;

Demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students; and

Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Required

Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, public administration, or a related field.

Preferred

Master's degree in communications, public administration, marketing, or a related field.

Experience:

Required

Five years of increasingly responsible experience in marketing, communications, public relations, or public affairs;

Experience leading strategic marketing or communications initiatives;

Experience working with media and managing public communications; and

Supervisory or leadership experience.

Preferred

Experience in higher education or public sector communications;

Experience serving as a Public Information Officer or managing media relations;

Experience working with government relations or public affairs; and

Fluency in Spanish (written and spoken).

Knowledge Of:

Strategic communications planning;

Public relations and media relations practices;

Marketing strategy and campaign development;

Crisis and issues communications;

Governmental and public affairs communications;

Digital marketing and communications platforms; and

Brand management and messaging strategy.

Ability To:

Lead complex communications strategies;

Serve as an effective spokesperson for a public institution;

Manage sensitive communications issues;

Build relationships with media and community leaders;

Supervise and develop staff; and

Communicate effectively with diverse audiences.

To be considered for this position please visit our web site and apply on line at the following link: https://apptrkr.com/7173448

The San Luis Obispo County Community College District promotes inclusiveness, prohibits discrimination, and encourages all qualified persons to apply. As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, Cuesta College actively seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds to assist students, staff, and faculty. For ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) assistance with the application and/or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Office: (805) 546-3129.

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