Communications Director

Position Number: 40027573

Payroll Title: Communications Specialist 3

Job Code: 007477

Job Open Date: 2/13/25

Application Review Begins: 3/3/25; open until filled

Department Code (Name): LTSC (DEAN COLLEGE LETTERS & SCI)

Percentage of Time: 100%

Union Code (Name): 99 (Non-Represented)

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff (Career)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): PSS

Salary Grade: Grade 22

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $77,000 to $80,000/year. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $77,000 to $139,200/year.

Work Location: Cheadle Hall - 2217

Working Days and Hours: Monday - Friday; 8 am - 5 pm

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Type of Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement, if applicable: Hybrid (Both UC & Non-UC locations) Hybrid - no hybrid during probationary period. One day hybrid upon successful completion of 6-month probationary evaluation.

Special Instructions:

For full consideration, please include a resume and a cover letter as part of your application.

Department Marketing Statement:

The College of Letters & Science is an innovative and diverse academic unit, the largest at UC Santa Barbara. Serving more than 20,000 undergraduates and some 2,000 graduates, the college provides exciting opportunities for faculty and students at the cutting edge of interdisciplinary inquiry. The college is organized into three divisions comprising more than 45 departments and programs as well as student services to support and enhance the undergraduate experience. Interdisciplinary study is characterized by a crossing of academic borders and boundaries. The College of Letters & Science is a vibrant academic community that joins UCSB in embracing and promoting intellectual, socioeconomic, and ethnic diversity. Faculty in the college make up 68% of total academic personnel, while staff account for 70% of the campus total. As the largest academic unit, we strive to support and fulfill the University of California's mission of teaching, research, and public service.

Benefits of Belonging:

Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC

Brief Summary of Job Duties:

The Communications Director provides strategic communications leadership for the College of Letters & Science's HFA and MLPS Divisions. Oversees and contributes to the communications activities and priorities related to media, official publications, web and social media communications, brand identity and outreach materials in consultation with the HFA and MLPS leadership teams and the campus Office of Public Affairs and Communications. Counsels college leadership on internal and external communications issues, and develops strategies to effectively communicate to broad and diverse disciplines within the college. Promotes an integrated, multi-platform approach to leverage media relations, marketing strategies, and development initiatives to build the college's reputation, promote discoveries and achievements, and support professional and donor cultivation efforts. Uses strong independent judgment to ensure that all materials and coverage of Letters & Science adhere to university communications policies and best practices.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• 4-6 years of relevant experience in communications, including internal communications.
• 4-6 years of demonstrated work experience regarding the creation, development, and implementation of long and short-term strategic communication plans.
• 4-6 years of experience in higher education and/or the public sector, and/or in a highly decentralized organization.
• Ability to manage comprehensive communications programs, including written, visual, digital, and electronic communications.
• Ability to work with management and clients to create, develop, and implement long and short term strategic communications plans and / or projects.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced knowledge of all aspects of communications, including strategic planning for various media venues, technical aspects and requirements for various venues, and most appropriate and effective applications.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, problem recognition, avoidance, and resolution skills.
• Excellent project management skills..
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal communications, active listening and political acumen skills
• Demonstrated ability to effectively multi-task and manage multiple priorities.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Satisfactory conviction history background check
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement:

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegation or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct 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. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Job Functions and Percentages of Time:

• 25% Communications and Marketing for the College and the HFA and MLPS Deans - -Supports college HFA and MLPS deans by assisting divisional staff in drafting, editing, producing and distributing talking points, speeches, presentations, letters, divisional communications, and memos. -Responsible for the overarching strategic framework and development of speeches, presentations, and themes for the deans, reaching a wide spectrum of audiences. -Positions all communications within overall university messaging and strategy, and within college or division messaging/strategy. Translates the vision, themes, and dominant messages personified by leaders into successful communication opportunities for the university. -Drafts and coordinates production of printed materials and brochures as needed. -Vets content and ensures that it meets the highest editorial standards. -Establishes effective relationships with faculty, staff and students throughout the college to maintain open lines of communication. -Acts as main liaison to Office of Public Affairs & Communications, disseminating information appropriately and in a timely manner to ensure that the college and divisions are is represented fairly in official publications and materials and that it supports the overall communication goals of the university
• 15% Events Management - -Independently plans, develops, and implements strategies for several high-profile college events including commencement and convocation. -Coordinates, plans and executes several college-wide events, including fall/winter briefings and new department chair orientation -Secures dates, invites and preps speakers and guests, works with vendors, and handles all logistics for college events -Prepares cue books and presentations for the Deans as needed -Follows-up with vendors to ensure bills are paid in a timely manner and sends presentations and other materials out to attendees as needed -Works with participants as needed to polish written remarks and prepare them to speak in front of a large crowd -Attends rehearsals and sound checks, schedule site visits and troubleshoots as needed to ensure smooth and seamless execution -Overall, executes events management with a highest level of autonomy and authority, making decisions on behalf of the college to best represent the university and its leaders
• 15% Writing and Media Relations - -Works with writing team to create and maintain a collaborative atmosphere where impactful and original storytelling rules the day -Produces written content that adheres to university style and uphold university standards for clear communication -Researches, writes and edits press releases -Publishes content online and work with Public Affairs & Communications office to alert local/national media outlets as needed -Identifies and develops unique opportunities to position UC Santa Barbara within the media -Manages any incoming media queries, facilitate interviews with faculty as needed
• 15% Content Management - -Is responsible for maintaining and updating the College, HFA and MLPS websites with new visual and written content on a weekly basis -Updates HFA, and MLPS website on behalf of other staff members as needed (uploading and editing) -Collaborates with Social Sciences communications team to update college website. - Maintains and updates other websites associated with college on a quarterly basis
• 15% Multimedia Special Projects - -Seeks out stories that lend themselves to multimedia or digital presentation -Acts as producer/coordinator for videos and photos produced on behalf of the HFA and MLPS divisions, including consultation with L&S staff members, identifying video/photo subjects, scheduling shoots, writing scripts or questions, attending video/photo shoots and consulting on editing -Acts as liaison between the deans and creative personnel -Consults and coordinates website design and development for college, divisions, and associated entities -Uses knowledge of social media best practices to maximize impact and presence of departments/divisions/centers associated with college -Overall, executes multimedia projects independently and in keeping with the best interests of both the college and the university
• 10% Faculty Grant Administration and Communication - -Acts as key liaison for the administration of college-sponsored grants to faculty members, with specific focus on preparing and updating submission materials instructions, sending out call for nominations to faculty members, and tracking submissions -Is responsible for drafting memos relating to award administration on behalf of the deans -With a keen eye for university policy and best practices, ensures an open line of communication between the deans and any faculty who are chosen for grants
• 5% Other Duties - -Additional strategy development and implementation, fundraising support or event management responsibilities may be assigned as needed to meet changing priorities, urgent deadlines, or unanticipated circumstances.

UC Vaccination Programs Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccinations Programs. As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals* must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

For more information, please visit:

* UC Santa Barbara COVID-19 Information - https://www.ucsb.edu/COVID-19-information
* University of California Policy on Vaccinations - https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy

*Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement:

UC Santa Barbara 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, disability, age or protected veteran status.
For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20.
For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

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