Executive Director of Communications

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

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

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

Reporting to the Chancellor & Dean and working with units school wide, 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.

• 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.

• 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…