SENIOR DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT

Senior Director of External Engagement

Location: Oakland

Job ID: 84135

Department Overview

The External Engagement Department helps showcase the University of California’s impact and value to the state and the nation. Working with UC Office of the President (UCOP) and campus colleagues, faculty, researchers, students, and staff, the External Engagement team builds public awareness of the depth and breadth of the University’s academic, research, and public service contributions through compelling social media, multimedia, and editorial content. In collaboration with others, the team supports strategic messaging and advocacy efforts on behalf of the University to the general public, elected officials, news media, and the greater UC community.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Communications ("AVP"), the Senior Director of External Engagement manages three units with about 10 employees, contractors, and interns who are responsible for the University’s systemwide social media, multimedia, and editorial strategy and content production. The Senior Director develops and executes varied communications plans and programs, including paid outreach across channels, that support sustained outreach to broad audiences and build affinity for and recognition and understanding of the University of California. The Senior Director advises and collaborates closely with the AVP and other Senior Directors in the Communications Department to achieve these goals.

This is a hybrid position, two days a week onsite in the Oakland, CA office.

Responsibilities

• 70% Strategy and content development: Advises and works with External Relations and Communications leadership, Communications and Government Relations colleagues, and others throughout the UC system to develop and implement short- and long-term creative, effective, and strategic communications plans and initiatives that advance the university’s priorities and messaging goals. Coordinates closely with UCOP and campus communications colleagues to create and elevate content across teams and UC locations. Contributes to division- and UCOP-wide rapid response efforts as they relate to social media, multimedia, and editorial content, helping the university quickly respond to crises, unfolding events, or new trends. Contributes to the narrative building and storytelling priorities of the University and coordinates communication initiatives within External Relations and Communications.
• 30% Team leadership: Coordinates and assists with integration of individual teams including social media, editorial, and multimedia professionals, providing strategic direction and leading through change. Hires, trains, coaches, and motivates team members as needed, including contractors and interns. Ensures department units are closely aligned with Communications, ER&C, and UC-wide priorities by setting clear and aligned objectives and key results for external communications. Regularly assesses the effectiveness and impact of programs, projects, and publications executed by the External Engagement team using data and metrics. Supervises the development and distribution of regular content for the University’s social, digital, and editorial channels, as well as content in support of government relations, advocacy, and media outreach goals. With guidance from the AVP, manages department resources, including the department's budget and the use of contractors and interns as needed, to optimize work, resource use, and project delivery. Strengthen team structure, processes, and skills to support the organization’s needs, ensuring the team has the tools and training they need to succeed and utilizes them effectively. Identify and support opportunities for staff development and cross-training that will improve the effectiveness of the overall team and individual team members.

Required Qualifications

• At least 10 years of experience and increasing responsibility in strategic communications work; experience working at a large, complex organization is a must.
• Substantial digital experience and understanding of the role of social media and other digital content in meeting institutional goals. Familiarity with associated technologies, tools, and strategies.
• Comfort and flexibility in fluid work environments, including producing quality content on short deadlines and with little advance notice. Ability to meet multiple and concurrent deadlines with minimal supervision while also managing longer-term projects and priorities.
• Excellent editorial and project management and planning skills. Effective at accomplishing complex and high-profile tasks with minimal supervision. Meticulous attention to detail and ability to produce factually accurate, polished content that requires little to no editing.
• Extensive experience leading and managing cross-functional teams, including providing constructive criticism and ensuring the production of high-quality work within budget and time constraints.
• Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to communicate with a variety of personalities in a tactful and professional manner. Enthusiasm for developing productive partnerships and collaborating with others, including peers and leadership, to achieve key objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to produce clear, engaging, and effective communications for a variety of written and digital media and to multiple audiences; skilled at researching, analyzing, and synthesizing complex issues, information, and data into concise yet accessible and effective messaging.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and political acumen, particularly when working with sensitive or confidential information. Experience working with senior leaders, with proven ability to provide well-reasoned, highly-informed, and strategic counsel to leadership and internal partners. Adept in problem recognition, avoidance, and resolution.
• Service-oriented, ego-free, positive approach to achieving the team’s and institution’s stated goals. Contributes to fostering trust and teamwork within the department, division, and across the Office of the President.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, Monday.com, BOX, and Slack - or their close equivalents.
• Familiarity with public higher education and its current issues and opportunities.
• Familiarity with the University of California system, including the UC Office of the President, and its mission, goals, structure, history, and achievements.
• Spanish speaker/writer is a plus but not required.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training

Special Conditions

This is a hybrid position, two days a week onsite in the Oakland, CA office.

Salary and Benefits

Job Title : Communications Manager 2

Job Code :

Salary Grade : Grade 27

Payscale : $185,000 - $210,000, commensurate with experience

Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging.

Additional Information

How to Apply

Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.

Application Review Date

The first review date for this job is February 27, 2026.

Conditions of Employment

Background Check Process: Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position.

Smoke Free Work Environment: The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affiliation and Nondiscrimination in Employment

EEO Statement

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

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