Chief External Communications & Media Strategy

UCSF Health, AG; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 250,000 - 380,000; Full time

Job summary

UCSF Health seeks an Executive Director of News & Media Relations to lead enterprise external communications, serve as a senior advisor to executives, and direct the Public Affairs function across UCSF. This hybrid role requires on-site presence to coordinate with leadership and enterprise partners.

The role emphasizes strategic counsel, incident management, reputation building, and innovative storytelling across traditional and digital platforms, with focus on health, research, and education

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience / training.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in communications, public affairs, media relations, executive communications, or related fields.
• Experience leading communications at an enterprise scale in an academic medical center, research university, integrated health system, government agency, or similarly complex organization.

Responsibilities

• Developing and executing integrated external communications strategies that advance institutional priorities and strengthen UCSF's reputation through media relations, public affairs, and executive visibility.
• Serving as the senior strategic advisor to executive leadership on media relations and public affairs for the UCSF enterprise.
• Directing enterprise-wide media relations, including oversight of earned and owned media strategies, media engagement, and rapid response communications.
• Leading and developing a high-performing Public Affairs team through coaching, mentorship, talent development, and a culture of innovation, accountability, and excellence.
• Driving innovation in storytelling by leveraging emerging communications technologies, analytics, and audience insights to increase communications effectiveness and institutional impact.

Education

Bachelor's degree in related area

Job description

UCSF Health seeks an Executive Director of News & Media Relations to lead enterprise external communications, serve as a senior advisor to executives, and direct the Public Affairs function across UCSF. This hybrid role requires on-site presence to coordinate with leadership and enterprise partners.

The role emphasizes strategic counsel, incident management, reputation building, and innovative storytelling across traditional and digital platforms, with focus on health, research, and education