Executive Director, Strategic Communications

University of California San Francisco • San Francisco, CA

7d

About The Position

The Executive Director of Strategic Communications in the Office of Communications (OC) articulates the vision and direction for multidisciplinary communications strategies that preemptively and reactively defend and advance UCSF’s strategic business initiatives, supporting the core mission areas of health sciences education, research, and care delivery. Often serving as the lead strategist for issues and crisis management, the Executive Director facilitates preemptive issues management strategies and a crisis management protocol, collaborating closely with leadership, Legal, Risk Management, and other UCSF units. Reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor of Communications, the Executive Director will join a leadership team that embraces collaborative leadership as its management philosophy and contributes to the department’s ongoing efforts to modernize strategies, structure, and processes. The Executive Director manages a team of three full-time employees with responsibilities in the following areas: Developing and implementing comprehensive, multidisciplinary communications programs and strategies for dynamic, complex, time-sensitive strategic and business initiatives with high public visibility. Collaborating with colleagues within OC, including Public Affairs, Brand Strategy and Internal Communications, to develop, guide and implement strategies for proactive and reactive earned, owned, social, and internal communications based on audience and desired outcomes. Partnering closely with UCSF Community and Government Relations, especially when opposition from special interests is involved, to align strategies to business partner goals, create integrated communications plans, and effectively and efficiently leverage the resources of the OC. Overseeing the development and execution of complex, multi-channel communications strategies and initiatives, and orchestrating cross-functional teams of content creators, managing comprehensive content plans, and ensuring operational excellence across UCSF’s communications implementation. Cultivating productive relationships with a wide range of leaders, colleagues, and stakeholders across the enterprise, including the Office of the Chancellor and the Chancellor’s Executive Team and Cabinet, UCSF Health, UCSF’s four schools and graduate division, University Development and Alumni Relations, the Office of Community & Government Relations, and others. Leading across the UCSF enterprise, the Executive Director serves as a key strategic advisor to business partners, providing counsel on a wide range of issues and identifying appropriate reputational strategies for sensitive scenarios. The Executive Director also serves as “PIO Point of Contact” in UCSF’s emergency management system incident command structure, activating and facilitating a Joint Information Center as needed, and participates in ad hoc emergency management committees.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training, and 8+ yrs of related work experience.
• 7+ yrs supervisory/management experience; and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of all aspects of communications, including strategic planning for various media venues, technical aspects and requirements of various venues, and the most appropriate and effective applications.
• Thorough knowledge of the location, including its mission, vision, goals, policies, and infrastructure; strong knowledge of current affairs and issues in higher education and / or health sciences.
• Excellent skills to create, develop and implement long and short term strategic communications plans.
• Excellent 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.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal communications, active listening and political acumen skills.
• Excellent knowledge and skills in financial and personnel administration and management.
• Excellent management skills to select, train, manage, motivate and evaluate professional communications staff to produce high quality work; skill to take corrective action as required.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, project management and problem recognition, avoidance and resolution skills.
• Excellent skills to ensure production of high quality work within budget and time constraints.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate degree.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of technical applications including design concepts, various media and mediums, applications, etc. to effectively manage / supervise professional technical staff.

Responsibilities

• Developing and implementing comprehensive, multidisciplinary communications programs and strategies for dynamic, complex, time-sensitive strategic and business initiatives with high public visibility.
• Collaborating with colleagues within OC, including Public Affairs, Brand Strategy and Internal Communications, to develop, guide and implement strategies for proactive and reactive earned, owned, social, and internal communications based on audience and desired outcomes.
• Partnering closely with UCSF Community and Government Relations, especially when opposition from special interests is involved, to align strategies to business partner goals, create integrated communications plans, and effectively and efficiently leverage the resources of the OC.
• Overseeing the development and execution of complex, multi-channel communications strategies and initiatives, and orchestrating cross-functional teams of content creators, managing comprehensive content plans, and ensuring operational excellence across UCSF’s communications implementation.
• Cultivating productive relationships with a wide range of leaders, colleagues, and stakeholders across the enterprise, including the Office of the Chancellor and the Chancellor’s Executive Team and Cabinet, UCSF Health, UCSF’s four schools and graduate division, University Development and Alumni Relations, the Office of Community & Government Relations, and others.
• Leading across the UCSF enterprise, the Executive Director serves as a key strategic advisor to business partners, providing counsel on a wide range of issues and identifying appropriate reputational strategies for sensitive scenarios.
• The Executive Director also serves as “PIO Point of Contact” in UCSF’s emergency management system incident command structure, activating and facilitating a Joint Information Center as needed, and participates in ad hoc emergency management committees.

Benefits

• To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees