Crisis Communications Manager (HEA)

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.

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 social 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.

Participate 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 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 fast‑moving crisis events.

Support designated spokespeople with talking points, scenario updates, and media preparation to ensure unified crisis messaging.

Post Crisis Evaluation & Reporting

Conduct post‑crisis 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 a 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.

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, after‑hours, or emergency response duties as required.

Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $90,838 – $102,408. Salary commensurate with education and experience. Benefits include health plans, retirement/pension benefits, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study, paid time off, and access to campus academic, arts, and athletic programs.

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.

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