COMM SPEC 4 CM

The Regents of the University of California on behalf of their Los Angeles Campus; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

UCLA Strategic Communications seeks an Associate Director of Executive Communications to develop and implement high-visibility communications for the Chancellor, EVP/Provost, and campus leaders. The role demands independent management of complex projects, strategic messaging, and stakeholder engagement across internal and external audiences.

The ideal candidate translates complex information into clear language, captures the voice of senior leaders, and excels in research, editing, and synthesis

Qualifications

• 6-8+ years progressively responsible experience in strategic communications at a large organization
• Experience advising senior executives on communications strategy and reputation management
• Ability to translate complex information into clear messages for varied audiences
• Collaborate with senior leadership to identify communication needs and execute programs
• Translate leaders' initiatives into inspiring messaging; research and organize data for speeches/messages
• Commitment to inclusive excellence in a diverse environment
• Strong knowledge of technology and new media capabilities
• Experience maintaining internal communications structures in a complex organization
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines; strong writing on deadline
• Familiarity with UC/UCLA policies and governance preferred (UC background)

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement executive communications for the Chancellor and campus leaders
• Provide strategic counsel on messaging, positioning, and reputation management
• Translate complex information into concise, memorable messaging for broad audiences
• Collaborate with senior leadership and staff to identify communication needs and deliver programs
• Research, collect, and organize data to create speeches and messages
• Navigate a large, complex organization with sensitivity and discretion

Skills

Strategic communications

Executive counsel

Messaging development

Stakeholder engagement

Writing on deadline

Editing skills

Research skills

Spanish writing (preferred)

Translate complex information

Education

Bachelor's Degree in History, Writing, Social Sciences, Education, International Relations or Business

Job description

Department Summary

UCLA Strategic Communications (StratComm) brings UCLA's mission and values to life by engaging audiences through compelling storytelling, strategic communications, and integrated marketing initiatives that inspire awareness, connection, and action. As UCLA's central communications and marketing organization, StratComm develops and implements strategies that strengthen the University's reputation, elevate its impact, and support institutional priorities. Through collaboration, creativity, and innovation, StratComm connects UCLA's diverse programs, achievements, and communities with audiences across campus and around the world.

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Executive Communications serves as a senior communications strategist responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive executive communications initiatives supporting the Chancellor, Executive Vice Chancellor/Provost, and other university leaders. The incumbent independently manages highly visible communications projects and provides strategic counsel on messaging, executive positioning, reputation management, and stakeholder engagement. Working with significant autonomy, the position develops integrated communications strategies that advance UCLA's mission, institutional priorities, and public profile across internal and external audiences. The successful candidate will be curious and creative – and have a knack for translating complex information into clear writing that resonates easily with broad internal and external audiences. This person will have a talent for learning – and taking on – the voice and style of different senior leaders, as well as an ear for musical language and the flow of ideas. The ideal candidate will have exceptional research and editing skills, and a talent for synthesizing information from different sources and translating it into concise, memorable messaging. This person will be deft in learning the processes and protocols of navigating a large, complex organization.

Salary & Compensation

*UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.

Qualifications

• 6-8+ years Progressively responsible experience developing and implementing strategic communications programs within a large, complex organization, including direct experience advising senior executives on communications strategy, executive positioning, and sensitive organizational issues. (Required)
• Demonstrated experience leading communications initiatives with institution-wide visibility and significant reputational impact. (Required)
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex and difficult information into creative and effective messages. (Required)
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with senior leadership and senior departmental staff to identify communication needs and to conceive and execute programs and services to meet such needs. (Required)
• Ability to translate leaders' initiatives and goals into inspiring ideas and concepts, as well as an understanding of how to effectively tailor messages for different audiences. Demonstrated ability to research, collect and organize data and material from diverse sources to create memorable speeches and/or messages. (Required)
• Demonstrated interest in and commitment to serving in an environment that prizes inclusive excellence. (Required)
• Demonstrated ability to articulate goals, strategies, tactics, and benchmarks. Comprehensive, current knowledge of technology with the ability to fully utilize the capabilities of new media. (Required)
• Demonstrated ability to strategically improve and maintain internal communications structures within a complex organization. (Required)
• Ability to successfully manage multiple ongoing tasks and responsibilities of varying degrees of complexity simultaneously. Demonstrated experience in writing on deadline. (Required)
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a broad and diverse communications organization and beyond. (Required)
• A strong strategic orientation, commitment to excellence, and attention to detail. Ability to handle all information with sensitivity, discretion and solid judgment. (Required)
• Demonstrated ability to produce professional-level written materials in Spanish. (Preferred)
• Background in complex, global environment and industries. (Required)
• Working knowledge of UC and UCLA departments, policies, regulations, guidelines, and resources for programming. Knowledge of the history, policies and practices of the University of California system and UCLA. (Required)

Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations

• Bachelor's Degree Emphasis in history, writing, social sciences, education, international relations or business. (Preferred)

Special Conditions for Employment

• Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
• Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

Schedule

Variable based on operational needs

Union/Policy Covered

CM–Comms, Mktg, & Sales Profs

Complete Position Description

https://universityofcalifornia.marketpayjobs.com/ShowJob.aspx?EntityID=38&JDName=Communications%20Specialist%204%20CM%20(TBD_1000446)