Payne School Communications and Events Specialist at San Diego State University Research Foundation – San Diego, California

San Diego State University Research Foundation
Payne School Communications and Events Specialist

US--

Job ID: 2026-20133
Type: Full-Time Contract
# of Openings: 1
Category: Research/Project
SDSU-Hospitality and Tourism Management

Overview

• This position is open until filled with an initial application review to take place after March 22, 2026.
• The salary for this position is budgeted at $5,858.67 per month and is non-negotiable.

FUNCTION OF THE UNIT

The L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management in the college of Professional Studies and Fine Arts is an academic unit encompassing three degrees: a master’s degree; Bachelor’s in Hospitality and Tourism Management and Recreation and Tourism Management; and a minor in Recreation and Tourism Management. The school also encompasses seven programmatic areas of emphasis: Hotel Operations/Management, Restaurant Operations/Management, Meetings and Events Operations/Management, Tribal Gaming Operations/Management, Outdoor Resource Management, Recreation Systems Management, and Sustainable Tourism.

Other important initiatives within the School are: Financial development/advancement, community outreach through various workshops and community lecturers, internship and job placement. We are deeply connected to the professions, and we serve them by offering several executive-level certifications.

Students routinely rave about their experience with us, and we need someone to help us produce those experiences and tell the story.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

This is a combination position over our marketing and communications, and supporting internal events for the School. Following several years of success with social media recruiting to our undergraduate programs and a generous gift from the School’s namesake, Bob Payne, we are ready to up our game and expand our marketing and communications across the campus, the nation, and globally.

Key metrics for this aspect of the role will include recruitment at all aspects of the Payne School. Other impacts are expected in alumni engagement and community support via philanthropy.

The Payne School uses events on and off campus to help deliver our messaging, and this role is expected to serve a central role in event execution for the school.

We operate in a “matrix” environment, so there will be plenty of support in this regard. In addition, there will be a detailed marketing and communications plan developed for this role by outside experts.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and oversee RSCA-focused events from concept through execution, including signature programs such as the SDSU Student Symposium, faculty celebrations, and research advancement events. 20%
• Collaborate with campus leadership, faculty, staff, vendors, sponsors, and community partners to deliver high-quality, impactful events. 15%
• Manage event logistics, timelines, budgets, contracts, and procurement to ensure successful, on-time, and cost-effective delivery. 15%
• Develop and coordinate event communications, registration processes, and promotional materials using event and project management platforms. 15%
• Provide lead work direction, guidance, and training to staff, students, and volunteers supporting event activities. 10%
• Assist with planning and executing external social media postings for storytelling and educational purposes in the Payne School of Hospitality. Works with the Associate Director of the Student Center for Professional Development to layout a strategy for social media, identify key platforms, film, edit, and create content to share across LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and others deemed necessary 20%
• Other Duties as Assigned 5%

Qualifications

Knowledge & Abilities

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with a solid foundation in grammar, spelling, and the composition of various communication vehicles
• Thorough knowledge of the program and applicable communications techniques
• Ability to work fairly autonomously and exercise sound judgment and discretion in completion of assignments and projects
• Working knowledge of and ability to apply standard theories, practices, principles and techniques related to communications
• Thorough knowledge of and ability to use effectively media outlets including planning media coverage and media publicity campaigns
• Working knowledge of copyright and other applicable laws pertaining to publications and the media
• Thorough knowledge of web communcation techniques, vehicles and formats. Ability to effectively use web technology to achieve communication goals
• Ability to analyze and select pertinent facts and integrate them into communication vehicles
• Strong story development and journalistic writing skills, as well as advanced editorial skills. Ability to define and deliver media messages.
• Ability to apply market research to identify communication needs and target audiences
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including strong public speaking, listening and interpretive skills
• Ability to provide lead work direction

Required Minimum Education & Experience

• Equivalent to a bachelors degree, which includes relevant coursework in the field
• Three (3) years of related professional or technical experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in hospitality and tourism management
• International experience and/or demonstrated ability to engage with global audiences.

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION

Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law. Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices. SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.