Communications Specialist

University of California, Irvine•Irvine, CA

24d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Senior Director for Communications & Special Events, the Communications Specialist independently oversees comprehensive communications strategies and programs for UC Irvine Human Resources. The position combines strategic planning and hands-on production across written, visual, digital, and electronic media, while partnering with management and stakeholders to understand business needs, identify communications challenges and opportunities, and develop integrated campaigns that advance strategic objectives. The incumbent authors and edits organizational messages, produces and distributes enterprise-wide communications through ZotMail, and designs and formats newsletters and other publications for internal and external audiences. The role also develops graphic materials consistent with UC Irvine brand standards and HR communication objectives, and oversees external contractors and vendors to ensure quality, timeliness, and alignment with strategic goals. The Communications Specialist advises HR leadership and stakeholders, develops organizational communications and market branding strategies, and maintains consistent messaging across channels and audiences. The position co-produces major events with the Senior Director, including the annual UC Irvine Service Awards held each June, and other events during the year. It requires coordination of communications, logistics, project management, and stakeholder engagement. When the Senior Director is absent, the Communications Specialist acts as lead for all communications functions. The role has a hybrid schedule of three days onsite and two days remote. It may require work at the Irvine campus and UCI Health locations throughout Orange and South Los Angeles Counties; the incumbent must provide their own transportation between work locations.

Requirements

Advanced knowledge of communications, including strategic planning across media, technical requirements, and effective applications.
Advanced knowledge of technical applications, design concepts, media, and applications sufficient to direct technical staff or perform technical work.
Advanced knowledge of organizational mission, vision, goals, policies, and infrastructure, and strong knowledge of current affairs and issues in higher education, health sciences, and healthcare.
Advanced skills in creating, developing, and implementing long- and short-term strategic communication plans.
Advanced skills advising and consulting management on communications, strategies, and responses to sensitive or complex issues.
Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, active listening, and political acumen skills.
Excellent analytical, critical-thinking, project-management, and problem recognition, avoidance, and resolution skills.
Thorough knowledge of location protocols and internal and external communications channels.
Ability to independently analyze situations, interpret data, define problems or objectives, identify relevant factors, develop solutions, make recommendations, implement them, and evaluate results.
Demonstrated event production or significant co-production experience.
Expert-level experience with Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Expert-level experience with MailChimp and Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and Acrobat.
Professional-level graphic design experience for web pages, e-newsletters, e-digests, and digital and print materials.
Working knowledge of HTML, CSS, WordPress, and Cascade for web updates.
Working knowledge of Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, X, YouTube, Spotify, and Flickr for strategy, account management, and campaign scheduling.
Expertise in WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility compliance and SiteImprove platform management.
Experience with social media analytics platforms, including Google Analytics.
Bachelor's degree in a communications-focused field such as Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience or training.
Minimum of 7 years of comparable experience.
Must provide personal transportation to and from work locations when required.
Must be able to provide proof of work authorization.

Nice To Haves

Strong business acumen in human resources and higher education.
Knowledge of UCI-specific technology, including ZotMail.

Responsibilities

Independently oversee comprehensive communications strategies and programs for UC Irvine Human Resources.
Develop and execute organizational communication and market branding strategies in partnership with management.
Author and edit organizational messages and communications.
Produce and distribute enterprise-wide communications through ZotMail.
Design and format newsletters and other publications for internal and external audiences.
Create visually compelling graphic materials aligned with UC Irvine brand standards and HR communication objectives.
Work with stakeholders to understand business needs, diagnose communications challenges and opportunities, and develop key messages.
Lead the design and execution of integrated communications campaigns across written, visual, digital, and electronic media.
Oversee external contractors and vendors, ensuring deliverables meet quality standards, deadlines, and strategic goals.
Advise and consult management on communications strategies and responses to sensitive or complex inquiries.
Co-produce major events with the Senior Director, including the annual UC Irvine Service Awards and other events throughout the year.
Coordinate communications, logistics, project management, and stakeholder engagement for high-profile events.
Serve as acting lead for all communications functions in the Senior Director's absence.