Crisis Communications Manager (HEA)

POSITION DETAILS

The Office of Institutional Advancement, Communications & External Relations (OIACER) at The City College of New York seeks an experienced Crisis Communications Manager to provide communications support during high-risk situations and support efforts to maintain the College’s reputation during emergencies and sensitive incidents. This role supports the identification, assessment, and response to potential threats that may impact campus safety, operations, or public trust.

The Crisis Communications Manager serves as a key member of the communications team during rapidly evolving situations, translating real-time intelligence from media, public discourse, and internal partners into clear, accurate, and coordinated messaging for leadership, stakeholders, and the public. The role requires sound judgment under pressure, strong writing and advisory skills, and a deep understanding of crisis dynamics within a higher education environment.

This Crisis Communications Manager collaborates with OIACER’s Marketing, Communications and Digital Content & Strategy teams and uses digital and media monitoring tools to detect emerging risks, assess public response, counter misinformation, and inform crisis response strategy.

(Campus-specific Information and duties)

Key Responsibilities

Crisis Monitoring & Early Detection

• Assist in setting up and maintaining real-time monitoring and alert systems using media monitoring platforms to detect early signals of emerging issues and potential risks that may impact the College.
• Analyze public sentiment, news coverage, and online conversations through s ocial listening tools to understand how a situation is unfolding.
• Monitor coverage across a wide range of media sources—including news, broadcast, print, podcasts, and social media channels —using a global media intelligence system.
• Synthesize monitoring data into summaries and insights to support communications teams, leadership awareness, and incident response efforts.
• Contribute to ongoing situational updates, including monitoring trends, developments, and potential risks throughout the lifecycle of a crisis.
• Participates in crisis command structures or incident management teams to ensure coordinated, timely, and effective response to incidents.
  
  

Crisis Communication Strategy & Response

• Support the development, maintenance, and implementation of crisis communication plans tailored to higher education environments, in collaboration with communications leadership.
• Use real-time insights from media analytics platforms to inform messaging recommendations and support ongoing communication efforts as situations evolve.
• Draft and update crisis-related materials including holding statements, emergency messages, FAQs, talking points, and leadership briefings as situations evolve.
• Ensure communication accuracy, clarity, and consistency across all college departments and leadership levels during emergencies.
• Support alignment of communications with institutional policies, emergency protocols, and legal considerations.
• Support rapid decision-making by translating complex or uncertain situations into clear communication options and recommendations.
  
  

Media Relations & Stakeholder Communication During Crises

• In coordination with the campus communications leadership, news and digital content strategy teams, support outreach efforts by identifying relevant journalists, influencers, and media outlets using a professional media relations database to support targeted outreach during crisis or emerging crisis situations.
• In consultation with executive leadership, legal counsel, subject-matter experts, and news director, draft and disseminate press releases, holding statements, FAQs, and other crisis related materials.
• Actively monitor external reporting and public response to identify inaccuracies, emerging narratives or misinformation and support the development of corrective communications to address false or misleading information.
• Coordinate closely with Communications, Public Safety, Student Affairs, IT, Legal Counsel, HR, and executive leadership to support consistent and unified communication practices.
• Provide communications insights and updates based on media intelligence insights during fastmoving crisis events.
• Support designated spokespeople with talking points, scenario updates, and media preparation to ensure unified crisis messaging.
  
  

Post Crisis Evaluation & Reporting

• Conduct postcrisis assessments using media analytics dashboards to evaluate coverage trends, sentiment shifts, reputational impact, and overall communication effectiveness.
• Produce comprehensive after-action reports with findings, lessons learned and propose improvements to strengthen City College’s preparedness and response strategies.
• Support institutional preparedness efforts by strengthening early-warning systems and response
  
  

processes, crisis communications policies and tools.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and six years' related experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Emergency Management, or related field.
• 6 years of experience in crisis communications, public affairs, public relations, or higher education communications.
• Experience using media monitoring, social listening, or analytics platforms for risk assessment and issue tracking.
• Newsroom, editorial and high stakes writing experience.
• Experience or familiarity with Campus Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) and Clery Act-related communications (e.g., timely warnings, emergency notifications)
• Strong writing, editing, messaging, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm and work effectively under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and respond rapidly to urgent situations.
• Strong understanding of media relations, public perception management, and crisis dynamics in higher education settings.
• Availability for on call, afterhours, or emergency response duties as required.
  
  

Cuny Title Overview

Establishes and maintains communication and ongoing working relationships with outside organizations and manages the design, implementation, and management of communications to support College visibility and recognition.

• Represents the College to a portfolio of external organizations
• Plans and implements communications campaigns, working with publications staff
• Applies an understanding of the concerns of external organizations to develop short- and long-range plans to advance the College's position and support community/public identified needs
• Plans and implements major activities such as conferences, collaborative partnerships, and educational programs to support identified needs and issues
• Identifies and develops new audiences and communities to further the mission of the College
• Develops and implements advertising and communications campaigns, working with publications and editorial personnel
• Maintain relationships with media representatives
• Performs related duties as assigned.
  
  

Job Title Name: Communications and College Relations Manager

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Associate

FLSA

Exempt

Compensation And Benefits

Salary Range: $90,838 - $102,408. Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY is in the process of implementing salary schedule increases. Once implemented, salaries of eligible employees will be adjusted by 3.5% effective 9/1/26, in accordance with the terms of the PSC-CUNY collective bargaining agreement.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

How To Apply

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CLOSING DATE

May 26, 2026

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID: 32142

Location: City College of New York

Job Type: Full-Time