Communication Specialist

About the role

Type of Appointment: Full-Time, Probationary. Job Classification: Marketing Communications Professional III. The Department The Office of Student Success (OSS) at Cal Poly Pomona provides institutional leadership for advancing student success by developing and implementing strategies that promote academic achievement, persistence, graduation, and post-graduate success. Guided by the university's commitment to inclusive excellence, equity, and student-centered innovation, OSS works to ensure that every student has equitable access to the resources, opportunities, and support needed to thrive academically, personally, and professionally. Working collaboratively across academic colleges and administrative divisions, OSS leads a coordinated and holistic approach to student success by aligning academic advising, learning support, career development, student engagement, and data-informed decision-making. The office provides leadership in academic policy, academic petitions, and university-wide initiatives that strengthen student retention, improve timely degree completion, and advance equitable outcomes for all students. Through high-impact educational practices, culturally responsive programming, and proactive student support, OSS fosters academic momentum and helps students navigate their academic journey with confidence and purpose. By removing barriers to success and creating pathways for engagement and achievement, the office advances Cal Poly Pomona's commitment to preparing graduates who are equipped to lead and succeed in an increasingly diverse and dynamic world. The Office of Student Success oversees a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services that support students throughout their educational journey. These include the Bronco Advising Center; the Bronco Scholars Program; the Career Center; CSU AANHPI Initiatives; the Early Assessment Program (EAP); E-Advising Tools; First Year Experience (FYE); Graduation Pledge Programs; I Am First; the Learning Resource Center; the PolyTransfer Program; Pre-Health Professional Advising; Project CAMINOS; the Reading, Advising, and Mentoring Program (TRIO SSS); Student Success Communication; Testing Services; Undeclared & Exploratory Advising; and University Advising. Together, these programs provide coordinated academic guidance, learning support, career readiness, transition services, and targeted interventions that empower students from enrollment through graduation and beyond.

Responsibilities

Duties And Responsibilities Strategic Communications, Student Success Initiatives & Signature Events: Develop, implement, and evaluate an integrated communication strategy across the Advising, Career, and Academic Engagement & Success portfolios.Advise the Associate Provost for Student Success and Student Success leaders on communication priorities, messaging, audiences, communication approaches, and emerging communication needs.Lead communication strategy for complex and cross-functional initiatives that span multiple areas of the Student Success portfolio.Develop coordinated communication approaches that connect students with academic advising, academic support and engagement opportunities, career development, employer engagement, and other resources throughout the student lifecycle.Develop integrated communication strategies for targeted student populations, including new students, transfer students, continuing students, part-time students, stop-out students, and students approaching critical academic, enrollment, or career milestones.Develop and lead communication and marketing strategies for Student Success signature events, including audience identification, key messaging, promotional strategy, communication timelines, channel selection, and assessment.Provide strategic communication guidance for major Career Center programs and events, including career fairs, career readiness initiatives, employer engagement activities, and other high-impact programs.Identify opportunities to integrate career development messaging into broader Student Success communications and connect students with career resources throughout their academic journey.Partner with Student Success leaders to translate complex programs, policies, processes, and initiatives into clear and actionable communications.Collaborate with Enrollment Management on communications supporting new student onboarding, continuing student enrollment, registration, retention, and other critical enrollment activities.Partner with Student Accounting & Cashiering Services on communications related to financial processes that may affect enrollment and persistence.Collaborate with New Student Programs & Family Engagement on communication strategies supporting orientation and new student transition.Partner with Strategic Communications on university-wide campaigns and major Student Success initiatives to ensure alignment with university priorities, messaging, and brand standards.Collaborate with Information Technology and Institutional Research on communication components of MyCPP and other student-facing technologies.Develop presentations, reports, talking points, announcements, and other strategic communications supporting the Associate Provost for Student Success and Student Success priorities.Represent Student Success on university committees and cross-divisional initiatives involving student communication, engagement, career readiness, marketing, and technology. Communications Leadership And Coordination Serve as the professional communications lead across Advising, Career, and Academic Engagement & Success, promoting an integrated approach while maintaining clear responsibility within each portfolio.Provide lead work direction, mentoring, and professional guidance to the Communications Specialist supporting Advising and Academic Engagement & Success and the Career Center marketing and communications professional.Establish broad communication priorities and provide guidance on major campaigns, audiences, messaging, communication channels, brand alignment, and complex communication projects.Facilitate regular communication planning across the team, including shared calendars, coordinated campaigns, cross-promotion, and exchange of resources and best practices.Foster collaboration between the Communications Specialist and Career Center marketing and communications professional as peer partners within the broader Student Success communications team.Identify opportunities to connect academic progress, student engagement, career development, employer engagement, and post-graduation preparation through coordinated messaging and campaigns. Provide strategic guidance on major Career Center communication and marketing campaigns while supporting the Career Center marketing professional's responsibility for day-to-day execution.Provide strategic oversight of Billy Chat, including overall campaign strategy, communication priorities, audience segmentation, platform effectiveness, and alignment with