SENIOR DIRECTOR OF EMPLOYEE AND LABOR COMMUNICATIONS
University of California Office of the President, San Francisco, CA, United States
Overview
Job Posting The University of California Office of the President serves as the headquarters to a system of 10 campuses, six academic health centers, and three affiliated national laboratories. As one of the largest and most acclaimed institutions of higher learning in the world, UC is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and public service. UCOP seeks to educate and serve nearly 300,000 students, with 266,000 faculty and staff and 2 million alumni worldwide. The Employee and Labor Communications Department provides strategic, systemwide communications to UC’s employees, retirees, and key employee stakeholders, aligning messaging with UC’s mission and values. This is a hybrid position based in Oakland, California.
Position Summary Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Communications, the Senior Director of Employee and Labor Communications serves as a key member of the Communications leadership team and is the primary architect of UC’s systemwide employee and labor communications strategy. The role provides executive-level leadership in shaping how the University engages, informs, and builds trust with its workforce in support of the University’s teaching, research, and public service mission.
The Senior Director establishes the strategic vision for employee and labor communications across the UC system and designs and advances integrated communications strategies that align with institutional priorities, workforce management, and labor relations objectives. This includes oversight of systemwide and UCOP communications for employees and retirees; communications related to collective bargaining and labor negotiations; employee benefits and HR policy messaging; and coordinated communications during organizational transformation, crisis response, and other high-risk, high-visibility moments. The role provides strategic counsel to senior leadership on reputational risk, employee sentiment, change management, and labor relations dynamics, ensuring communications approaches anticipate impact and advance institutional trust.
The Senior Director partners with executive leaders across Labor Relations, Human Resources, Legal, ER&C, and campus communications functions to ensure messaging is consistent, accurate, accessible, and aligned with policy and contractual obligations. The role strengthens transparency, leadership credibility, and the employee experience across UC’s system.
Responsibilities
Employee and Labor Communications Strategy & Issues Management (30%)
Develop and execute integrated employee and labor communications strategies that align with institutional goals and reflect a predominantly unionized workforce across a large, decentralized public institution.
Lead proactive, responsive, and crisis communications related to labor negotiations, employee issues, organizational changes, and sensitive employee matters.
Establish a transparent framework for labor relations communication with clear rhythms and timely updates.
Anticipate and surface emerging issues; develop mitigation strategies to address risk, speculation, or misinformation.
Oversee internal communications plans supporting recruitment, benefits, negotiations, and retiree engagement.
Lead employee communication campaigns on benefits, total compensation, workplace safety, professional development, and major updates.
Coordinate systemwide messaging to ensure timely, accurate dissemination to employees.
Organizational Capability Building and Cross-Functional Alignment (25%)
Lead and manage the Employee and Labor Communications team with durable systems, structures, and workflows.
Formalize a cross-functional operating model with HR, Labor Relations, Legal, and ER&C.
Partner with systemwide UC Health Communications and campus/medical center teams to provide shared messaging frameworks while allowing local adaptation.
Identify intersections with other Communications teams and UC Health to advance coordinated storytelling.
Foster collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement; provide coaching and development opportunities.
Employee Experience, Engagement, and Communications Platforms (25%)
Modernize and simplify employee communication channels to reach all employee groups, including non-desk workers.
Transform communications from reactive to proactive, human-centered, with durable systems and cross-functional workflows.
Strengthen two-way engagement through structured opportunities for questions and feedback.
Build trust-based relationships with internal stakeholders through clear communication and a service-oriented approach.
Reinforce a unified mission-driven narrative beyond bargaining cycles.
External Issues Management and Media Strategy (20%)
Advise on media strategy, issues management, and reputational risk related to employee and labor issues.
Maintain relationships with key media outlets covering labor in higher education.
Manage high-volume media inquiries with deadlines; serve as systemwide spokesperson as needed.
Ensure alignment of external messaging across ER&C, UCOP divisions, and UC locations.
Required Qualifications
Minimum of 15 years of experience in strategic communications, internal communications, labor communications, public affairs, or related field.
Experience operating in complex, high-pressure environments with deadlines and reputational risk.
Ability to develop integrated communications strategies for large organizations; systems-level thinking with strong execution.
Strong understanding of employee dynamics, labor relations, and employee communications in a unionized environment.
Excellent judgment, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Experience providing strategic counsel to senior leaders and navigating politically complex environments.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including editing under tight deadlines.
Proven ability to build trust across diverse stakeholder groups.
Experience as on-the-record spokesperson or supporting leaders with media engagement.
People management skills with coaching and development experience.
Ability to manage competing priorities while balancing immediate needs with long-term strategy.
Experience with labor relations, HR policy communications, public policy, or higher education.
Experience in issues management and crisis communications.
Mastery of digital communications platforms and integrated media strategies.
Strong project management and organizational skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with the University of California system or large public-sector organizations.
Experience in higher education or the public sector.
Understanding of labor laws and regulations, particularly in California.
Experience using media and digital tools (e.g., Muck Rack, Slack, Box, project management tools).
Spanish language proficiency is a plus but not required.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field. Equivalent training and experience considered.
Salary and Benefits Job Title: Communications Manager 2
Job Code: 000409
Salary Grade: Grade 27
Payscale: $200,000 - $235,000, 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 is April 24, 2026. The position will be open until filled.
Conditions of Employment Background Check: Successful completion of a background check is required. UCOP background check policy applies.
Smoke Free Work Environment: UCOP is smoke and tobacco-free.
Vaccination Policy: Compliance with UC vaccination requirements; other directives may apply.
Misconduct Disclosure: Finalist must disclose any recent misconduct determinations or investigations. Definitions and related policies are included in UC statements.
EEO Statement The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration 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.
The University of California, Office of the President, strives to make this job board accessible. For accessibility concerns or application assistance, contact epost@ucop.edu.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Job Posting The University of California Office of the President serves as the headquarters to a system of 10 campuses, six academic health centers, and three affiliated national laboratories. As one of the largest and most acclaimed institutions of higher learning in the world, UC is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and public service. UCOP seeks to educate and serve nearly 300,000 students, with 266,000 faculty and staff and 2 million alumni worldwide. The Employee and Labor Communications Department provides strategic, systemwide communications to UC’s employees, retirees, and key employee stakeholders, aligning messaging with UC’s mission and values. This is a hybrid position based in Oakland, California.
Position Summary Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Communications, the Senior Director of Employee and Labor Communications serves as a key member of the Communications leadership team and is the primary architect of UC’s systemwide employee and labor communications strategy. The role provides executive-level leadership in shaping how the University engages, informs, and builds trust with its workforce in support of the University’s teaching, research, and public service mission.
The Senior Director establishes the strategic vision for employee and labor communications across the UC system and designs and advances integrated communications strategies that align with institutional priorities, workforce management, and labor relations objectives. This includes oversight of systemwide and UCOP communications for employees and retirees; communications related to collective bargaining and labor negotiations; employee benefits and HR policy messaging; and coordinated communications during organizational transformation, crisis response, and other high-risk, high-visibility moments. The role provides strategic counsel to senior leadership on reputational risk, employee sentiment, change management, and labor relations dynamics, ensuring communications approaches anticipate impact and advance institutional trust.
The Senior Director partners with executive leaders across Labor Relations, Human Resources, Legal, ER&C, and campus communications functions to ensure messaging is consistent, accurate, accessible, and aligned with policy and contractual obligations. The role strengthens transparency, leadership credibility, and the employee experience across UC’s system.
Responsibilities
Employee and Labor Communications Strategy & Issues Management (30%)
Develop and execute integrated employee and labor communications strategies that align with institutional goals and reflect a predominantly unionized workforce across a large, decentralized public institution.
Lead proactive, responsive, and crisis communications related to labor negotiations, employee issues, organizational changes, and sensitive employee matters.
Establish a transparent framework for labor relations communication with clear rhythms and timely updates.
Anticipate and surface emerging issues; develop mitigation strategies to address risk, speculation, or misinformation.
Oversee internal communications plans supporting recruitment, benefits, negotiations, and retiree engagement.
Lead employee communication campaigns on benefits, total compensation, workplace safety, professional development, and major updates.
Coordinate systemwide messaging to ensure timely, accurate dissemination to employees.
Organizational Capability Building and Cross-Functional Alignment (25%)
Lead and manage the Employee and Labor Communications team with durable systems, structures, and workflows.
Formalize a cross-functional operating model with HR, Labor Relations, Legal, and ER&C.
Partner with systemwide UC Health Communications and campus/medical center teams to provide shared messaging frameworks while allowing local adaptation.
Identify intersections with other Communications teams and UC Health to advance coordinated storytelling.
Foster collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement; provide coaching and development opportunities.
Employee Experience, Engagement, and Communications Platforms (25%)
Modernize and simplify employee communication channels to reach all employee groups, including non-desk workers.
Transform communications from reactive to proactive, human-centered, with durable systems and cross-functional workflows.
Strengthen two-way engagement through structured opportunities for questions and feedback.
Build trust-based relationships with internal stakeholders through clear communication and a service-oriented approach.
Reinforce a unified mission-driven narrative beyond bargaining cycles.
External Issues Management and Media Strategy (20%)
Advise on media strategy, issues management, and reputational risk related to employee and labor issues.
Maintain relationships with key media outlets covering labor in higher education.
Manage high-volume media inquiries with deadlines; serve as systemwide spokesperson as needed.
Ensure alignment of external messaging across ER&C, UCOP divisions, and UC locations.
Required Qualifications
Minimum of 15 years of experience in strategic communications, internal communications, labor communications, public affairs, or related field.
Experience operating in complex, high-pressure environments with deadlines and reputational risk.
Ability to develop integrated communications strategies for large organizations; systems-level thinking with strong execution.
Strong understanding of employee dynamics, labor relations, and employee communications in a unionized environment.
Excellent judgment, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Experience providing strategic counsel to senior leaders and navigating politically complex environments.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including editing under tight deadlines.
Proven ability to build trust across diverse stakeholder groups.
Experience as on-the-record spokesperson or supporting leaders with media engagement.
People management skills with coaching and development experience.
Ability to manage competing priorities while balancing immediate needs with long-term strategy.
Experience with labor relations, HR policy communications, public policy, or higher education.
Experience in issues management and crisis communications.
Mastery of digital communications platforms and integrated media strategies.
Strong project management and organizational skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with the University of California system or large public-sector organizations.
Experience in higher education or the public sector.
Understanding of labor laws and regulations, particularly in California.
Experience using media and digital tools (e.g., Muck Rack, Slack, Box, project management tools).
Spanish language proficiency is a plus but not required.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field. Equivalent training and experience considered.
Salary and Benefits Job Title: Communications Manager 2
Job Code: 000409
Salary Grade: Grade 27
Payscale: $200,000 - $235,000, 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 is April 24, 2026. The position will be open until filled.
Conditions of Employment Background Check: Successful completion of a background check is required. UCOP background check policy applies.
Smoke Free Work Environment: UCOP is smoke and tobacco-free.
Vaccination Policy: Compliance with UC vaccination requirements; other directives may apply.
Misconduct Disclosure: Finalist must disclose any recent misconduct determinations or investigations. Definitions and related policies are included in UC statements.
EEO Statement The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration 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.
The University of California, Office of the President, strives to make this job board accessible. For accessibility concerns or application assistance, contact epost@ucop.edu.
#J-18808-Ljbffr