Job Description

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Communications

Classification:  Level 5 / Class 6220 / Full-Time / Exempt / Benefited

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $165,000 - $180,000/ year

THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Chancellor & Dean and working with units schoolwide, the Executive Director of Communications leads a dynamic communications and marketing team responsible for strategic engagement with all major audiences via all pertinent platforms.

This position is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive, integrated communications plan to advance UC Law San Francisco's mission and strategic priorities.

Primary goals are to:

• Increase awareness, understanding, esteem, and support for UC Law San Francisco.
• Help achieve high-priority institutional goals.
• Strengthen central communications functions.
• Help units communicate strategically and effectively.

Communications Office functions include strategic communications, brand management, news writing, media relations, website content, social media, digital storytelling, publications development, photography, design, digital asset management, and communications consulting.

Typical duties include, among other things:

• Consult with the Chancellor & Dean and others to anticipate and respond to sensitive issues, employing political acumen and diplomacy. Ensure public responses align with the school's strategic priorities and positioning.
• Develop and lead implementation of a communications action plan aligned with the institutional strategic plan.
• Manage communications programs and projects to a high level of quality, effectiveness, and professionalism.
• Develop and execute news media engagement strategies and proactively monitor College and higher education issues and sentiment.
• Partner with UC Law San Francisco administrative offices and individual units to conceptualize, develop, and implement strategically valuable communications plans and projects. Primary partners include the offices of the Chancellor & Dean, Provost & Academic Dean, Associate Dean for Research, and CFO; Advancement, Enrollment Management, Career Development, Student Services, and Operations; plus, the school's centers and clinics.
• Consult with and advise law school administrators and faculty regarding all aspects of strategic and creative communications, for example: defining goals, objectives, and tactics; identifying audiences and crafting targeted messages; creating communications materials; providing creative support; and evaluating results.
• Manage the school's visual identity, overseeing the development and use of brand assets including seals and wordmarks, electronic and print stationery, other letterhead materials, presentation templates, flags and banners, branded merchandise, etc.
• Oversee the management of UC Law San Francisco's external website—one of the school's chief strategic communications vehicles—optimizing for effective messaging, user experience, and audience engagement.
• Oversee the timely writing and editing of news stories about the school.
• Manage the creation and production of a magazine (virtual or print), which will serve as the school's primary news and features portal and alumni-engagement venue.
• Oversee, in partnership with the Academic Dean's Office, a strategic communications plan to influence reputation among key audiences. Provide communications leadership and support to the school's fundraising efforts.
• Manage professional staff responsible for helping to develop strategic communications initiatives, producing wide-ranging communication materials, managing specific communications functions, and providing communications advice and assistance to colleagues throughout the school.
• Hire, coach, and evaluate the performance of Communications Office employees.
• Ensure the high quality of all work conducted by the Communications Office. Accomplish projects within budget and time constraints.
• Present updates and describe initiatives to the UC Law SF Board of Directors at quarterly meetings of the entire Board and before the Board's Committee on Advancement and Communications.
• Perform other communications and marketing duties as may be required to protect and strengthen the school's reputation and advance its goals.
• Manage the budget for the Communications Office, including contracts, invoicing, and annual reporting.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS  EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field or equivalent experience required.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience required, including staff supervisory experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Strong knowledge of current affairs and issues in higher education, especially legal education. Knowledge of the culture and needs of the legal academy and primary target audiences in the field of law, including alumni, prospective students, prospective employers of students, the practicing bar and judiciary, and current and prospective professors.
• Knowledge of or demonstrated ability to learn about UC Law San Francisco's history, achievements, mission, goals, policies, and practices—and understanding of how to use that knowledge to develop and lead an effective strategic communications program.
• Knowledge of marketing and user-experience principles to oversee website communications.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and project management skills.
• Knowledge of financial and personnel management, including understanding of management techniques, guiding principles, and best practices.
• Management skills to select, train, lead, motivate, and evaluate subordinate staff to produce high-quality work; skill to take corrective action as required.
• Skills to create, develop, and implement strategic communications plans.
• Knowledge and skills to advise and consult with management to ensure delivery of effective messages to specific and general audiences.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communications.
• High aesthetic sensibility and knowledge of professional design principles.
• Knowledge of print, video, and audio production.
• Strong skills to ensure production of high-quality work within budget and time constraints.Ability to lead and to participate in teams.

BENEFITS

Health and Welfare Benefits

• Comprehensive medical insurance coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts for transportation-related, healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, and Legal Insurance
• University of California Retirement Plan
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plans/Pre-tax Retirement Savings Program

For your Work/Life Balance

• Fifteen paid holidays per year
• Generous vacation and sick leave
• Commuter Benefits Program

THE HIRING PROCESS

This position has been designated as “sensitive” and requires a pre-employment background check.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact Human Resources if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Applicants who meet the position requirements will be competitively evaluated to identify the individuals whose breadth and depth of experience and education most closely relate to the stated requirements and the needs of the College. Depending on the quality and number of the applications received, only the better qualified applicants may be contacted for an interview. The position is open until filled.

The skills listed above are comprehensive, and we understand there are great candidates who possess only a subset of those skills, or who have other important skills. If you match some of these skills, please do not hesitate to apply.

UC Law SF is an equal opportunity employer. UC Law SF strives to provide a diverse and inclusive educational environment that fosters cultural awareness, mutual understanding and respect. UC Law SF is interested in candidates who will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education through their teaching. Qualified women and members of underrepresented minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

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