Director of Communications and External Relations

University of California, Irvine•Irvine, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The School of Physical Sciences at UC Irvine seeks a Director of Communications and External Relations. This position is a member of the senior management team and is responsible for organizational strategic direction, planning, and implementation related to internal and external marketing and communications for the School. This includes executive communications, alumni communications, public and media relations, community relations, and event engagement. The role involves developing, executing, and overseeing a comprehensive marketing and communications program using a variety of media, including written, visual, digital, and electronic formats. The Director will determine appropriate strategies, write news releases, place faculty in the media, manage publication production, and oversee web development. They will also write messages and reports for faculty and administrators, liaise with University Communications, and work with the Dean and School management to develop and execute organizational communication and market branding strategies. This role is key in establishing the perception and visibility of the school, ensuring consistency of materials and messages, and designing/implementing strategies to enhance the school's reputation and brand. The Director directly supervises 2.0 FTE and has budget authority for marketing and communications operations. This position is eligible for hybrid work.

Requirements

Advanced knowledge and understanding of all aspects of communications, including strategic planning for various media venues, technical aspects and requirements of various venues, and most appropriate and effective applications.
Advanced knowledge and understanding of technical applications to direct professional technical staff, and personally perform technical work, including design concepts, various media, and applications.
Advanced skills to create, develop, and implement long and short term strategic communication plans.
Advanced skills to advise and consult management on all aspects of communications, ranging from developing effective communication strategies to appropriately responding to inquiries regarding sensitive or complex issues or information.
Expert written, verbal, interpersonal communications, active listening and political acumen skills to initiate, develop, and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies.
Excellent analytical, critical thinking, project management, and problem recognition, avoidance, and resolution skills, including skills in setting and meeting program / project goals and objectives within budget and time constraints.
Thorough knowledge of location protocols and channels for communication internally and externally.
Experience working in higher education.
Highly organized and able to handle multiple projects with competing deadlines.
Excellent levels in maintaining confidentiality.
Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
4-6 years of successful communications related experience, preferably in higher education, or any equivalent combinations of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities have been achieved.
Must be able to provide proof of work authorization.

Nice To Haves

Strong knowledge of current affairs and issues in higher education and the physical sciences.
Advanced knowledge of the organization, including its mission, vision, goals, policies, and infrastructure.
Demonstrated skill in managing staff.
Experience working in higher education STEM fields.

Responsibilities

Produces a variety of communication pieces in written, visual, digital, and electronic formats.
Conceptualizes, designs, writes, and distributes the school's newsletter.
Oversees and writes press releases, feature stories, and media advisories.
Prepares remarks and speaking materials for the Dean, sometimes in collaboration with the Director of Development.
Responsible for graphic design of publication projects and photo work.
Identifies and works with key contacts and builds relationships with university offices to achieve wider reach for school-focused content.
Coordinates and serves as subject matter expert for school-level marketing and communications materials.
Attends monthly strategic communications meetings and represents the school on the university communications strategic management team.
Manages complex comprehensive internal and external marketing and communications efforts and activities.
Works with departmental, school, and campus administration to create, develop, and implement strategic marketing and communications plans.
Develops, executes, and oversees established objectives for the school’s internal and external marketing and communications.
Provides advice and counsel to all levels of School leadership, faculty, staff, and administration on marketing and communications.
Works with the dean and faculty to produce opinion and thought pieces to generate impact.
Positions faculty experts when relevant news is breaking.
Designs and implements community events and partnerships.
Independently supervises staff working to support scientific writing, event coordination, and outreach.
Directs budget activities for the office, including review, analysis, and decision-making on budget requests.
Solicits external vendors for print, design, and/or photography.
Works with school management to build an organizational brand and create tools for strategic positioning.
Oversees all publications and collateral material along with the standardization of the school’s graphics and identity program.
Establishes guidelines and standards for use of the school logo and for the look, style, and design of all school communications.
Responsible for the school's website strategy, including design direction, layout, content generation, and maintenance.
Serves as the point of contact for all school-sponsored departments, research centers, and school office sites.
Ensures that design, structure, and content effectively represent the school's mission and activities.
Manages the process of redesign and upgrade of the current website.
Develops and utilizes new avenues to reach wider audiences, including social media presence and e-newsletters.
Develops the school's video strategy, including conceptualization, coordination, filming, production, and distribution.
Conceptualizes and writes media advisories, press releases, and expert pitches.
Actively pitches story ideas, news, program announcements, and faculty experts to media outlets.
Develops, recommends, and implements strategic media relations plans.
Monitors university and media outlets for potential new angles of relevance.
Coordinates contact between journalists and faculty and works with university communication to effectively position the school in the media.
Serves as the School's representative on the all-campus integrated marketing communications team.
Responsible for assessing, developing, coordinating, and implementing a schedule of events to support alumni relations, outreach, and important initiatives.
Assesses and determines which events are appropriate for external relations to communicate the dean’s vision.
Coordinates associated communications regarding events and oversees event support and logistics.
Works directly with units to coordinate and assist in the implementation of unit-level communication efforts.
Collaborates to develop communication strategies and identify the most effective use of marketing and communications resources.
Identifies and establishes relationships with key communication and marketing services vendors.