Office of Communications-Public Affairs

Full Time

60407BR

Job Summary

UCSF Public Affairs (PA), a part of the UCSF Office of Communications, is dedicated to communicating UCSF's excellence in patient care, research and education, primarily through the traditional and evolving news media. PA also leads strategic communications to both internal and external audiences about sensitive issues related to the operations of a major health sciences enterprise.

The Deputy Director serves as an adjunct to the Public Affairs Executive Director, supporting media- and strategic communications across the UCSF enterprise. This includes raising the visibility of UCSF's excellence in these areas through traditional end evolving media, as well as working with the Executive Director to identify additional ways to strategically tell the UCSF story across targeted external audiences. The position also plays a key role in the team's handling of sensitive issues and crisis communications, including issues involving the University's research, education, clinical and business enterprises.

The Deputy Director will serve as the lead in basic and translational science communications, overseeing a team of two skilled communicators, freelance writers, as needed, and helping shape the team as it grows. Stories highlight new discoveries, trends in science or public health, our scientists and major partnerships. Tactics range from news releases, pitches, ghost-written op-eds and press briefings, to graphics, podcasts, video, and public forums such as AMA Reddits and panel discussions.

The Deputy Director will jointly lead communication about UCSF's highest priority initiatives and announcements, working closely with the Executive Director and Vice Chancellor-Communications to set communications strategy and ensure smooth implementation.

The role will grow with the Public Affairs Office, contributing to and/or leading various Office initiatives and priorities and initiatives, ranging from team building and goal setting to faculty media training, emergency response planning, or post-pandemic versions of the annual media dinners with UCSF's Chancellor.

The Deputy also works closely with other units within the Office of Communications, as well as with Community and Government Relations, University Development and Alumni Relations, and Health Marketing, to ensure alignment with UCSF's campus-wide communications efforts.

The field of communications is evolving quickly. A significant responsibility of this position is being aware of the evolution and identifying the strategies that enable the Public Affairs team to remain successful in reaching targeted audiences via the media and more broadly.

Department Description

UCSF is one of the premier health sciences universities in the world. Its graduate schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy are consistently ranked among the top in the nation. Its biomedical research enterprise and UCSF Medical Center are also ranked among the top nationwide.

UCSF Public Affairs is a unit of UCSF's Office of Communications, which is charged with directing strategic communication and public affairs for the campus and clinical enterprise. The Communications team is skilled at leading integrated, outcome-driven communications to strengthen awareness of UCSF's excellence in patient care, research and education through brand marketing, media relations, digital communications and internal communications. It works closely as with the University's community relations programs and its local, state and federal government relations efforts.

Required Qualifications

* Bachelor's degree in related area and minimum 6 years of experience or equivalent combination of experience/training
* Strong knowledge of the concepts, principles and technical aspects of media relations and communications including broadcast communications
* Strong knowledge of principles and practices in crisis and emergency communications
* In-depth understanding of best usage of print, broadcast and online media
* Strong interpersonal and written communications skills, including strong editing skills
* Skill in conceiving and implementing media relations plans and strategies and in providing leadership to staff and colleagues to achieve desired objectives
* Skill in visualizing and implementing media programs to showcase the department/unit and communicating the location's desired message
* Strong supervisory skills; may require strong budgetary administrative skills
* Skill to establish an environment of and maintain strict confidentiality
* Fundamental understanding of basic biomedical research and the ensuing judgment to determine which research is newsworthy
* Ability to communicate scientific or health-related information in an accessible and engaging manner

Preferred Qualifications

* Master's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training
* Broad knowledge of the institution, its vision, mission, goals, objectives, infrastructure, programs, policies, and achievements

About UCSF

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world's leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.

Pride Values

UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence - also known as our PRIDE values.

In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity - both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available at

Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California San Francisco is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Organization

Campus

Job Code and Payroll Title

000413 MEDIA COMM MGR 1

Job Category

Executive

Bargaining Unit

99 - Policy-Covered (No Bargaining Unit)

Employee Class

Career

Percentage

100%

Location

Mission Bay (SF)

Shift

Days, Nights, Weekends

Shift Length

8 Hours

Additional Shift Details

Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:30 pm; occasional nights and weekends