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Chief Communications Officer

UC Hastings

Chief Communications Officer

San Francisco, CA
Full Time
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    CHIEF COMMUNICATION OFFICER

    OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

    CLASSIFICATION: Level 5 / Class Code 6220 / Full Time / Exempt / Benefited

    HIRING SALARY RANGE: $100,000 – 140,000 (commensurate with experience and qualifications)

    THE ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

    Reporting to the Chancellor & Dean and working with units schoolwide, the Chief Communications Officer will lead 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 Hastings Law's mission and strategic priorities. Primary goals are to:

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

    Communications Office functions include brand management, news writing, media relations, website management, social media engagement, video and audio podcast creation, publications development, photography, design, digital asset management, and communications consulting.

    Typical duties include, among other things:

    • 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 professionalism.
    • Partner with UC Hastings administrative offices and individual units to conceptualize, develop, and implement strategically valuable communications plans and projects. Primary partners include the offices of the Chancellor and Dean, Academic Dean, Associate Dean for Research, and CFO; Advancement, Enrollment Management, Career Development, Student Services, and Facilities; 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.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • Manage UC Hastings' external website—one of the school's chief strategic communications vehicles—optimizing for effective messaging, user experience, and audience engagement.
    • Oversee the writing and editing of frequent news stories about the school. 
    • Manage the creation and maintenance of an online magazine, which will serve as the school's primary news and features portal and alumni-engagement venue. 
    • Conduct an annual campaign to inform influential law school faculty, judges, and lawyers nationwide of UC Hastings' most notable achievements. 
    • Provide communications leadership and support to the school's fundraising efforts. 
    • Promote significant school events via social media, news articles, media outreach, or other means as appropriate.
    • 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.
    • Perform other communications and marketing duties as may be required to protect and strengthen the school's reputation and advance its goals.
    • 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.

    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 Hastings' 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 manage website communications. Breadth and depth of web design knowledge sufficient for strategic planning, technology assessment, and direction.
    • 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 analytical, critical thinking, and project management skills.
    • Strong skills to ensure production of high-quality work within budget and time constraints.
    • Ability to lead and to participate in teams.
    • Familiarity with UC policies, practices, and history, or demonstrated ability to learn and apply such knowledge preferred.

    BENEFITS

    HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFITS

    • Comprehensive medical, dental and vision 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 (a defined benefit plan)
    • Deferred Compensation Plans/Pre-tax Retirement Savings Programs

    FOR YOUR WORK/LIFE BALANCE

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

    THE APPLICATION 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.

    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 Hastings College of the Law is an equal opportunity employer. UC Hastings strives to provide a diverse and inclusive educational environment that fosters cultural awareness, mutual understanding and respect. UC Hastings College of the Law 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.