Programs and Communications Manager (4800C), Center for Interdisciplinary Critical Inquiry 87422

University of California-Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 97,572 - 103,543; Full time

Job summary

University of California-Berkeley seeks a Programs and Communications Manager to oversee public programming, communications and operations. The role partners with faculty directors and campus/community stakeholders to plan and execute events and manage budgets.

The position emphasizes cross‑functional leadership, strategy development, and adherence to campus policies, with opportunities to impact public programming and donor relations.

Qualifications

• Strong oral and written communication across formats for diverse audiences.
• Experience planning public programs including workshops, conferences, lectures, and events.
• Experience developing and implementing multi-channel communications strategy.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of public programming (conferences, lectures, workshops, symposia, receptions).
• Develop programming from concept to implementation with faculty directors and partners.
• Manage event planning workflow, calendars, budgets, and staffing.

Skills

Communication

Event planning

Communications strategy

Analytical thinking

Program management

Budgeting

Web publishing tools

Email marketing

Tools

Web publishing platforms

Email marketing platforms

Job description

Job ID: 87422
Location: Main Campus-Berkeley
Position Type: Full Time

Position Overview

The Center for Interdisciplinary Critical Inquiry (CICI) supports interdisciplinary research and programming throughout the university. The Programs and Communications Manager sustains and advances programmatic, communications, and operational activities. This role leads the planning and execution of public programming and internal and external communications, working closely with faculty directors, the center manager, and campus and community partners.

Responsibilities

Events Planning and Management

• Leads the planning and execution of public programming for the unit, including conferences, lectures, workshops, symposia, and receptions.
• Develops programming from concept to implementation in close collaboration with faculty directors and campus and community partners.
• Manages the unit's event planning workflow and the ongoing development of planning tools and timelines.
• Manages the central event calendar for the unit, ensuring that scheduling is well-paced across programs.
• Facilitates team and committee meetings for event planning and serves as team lead for events requiring additional staffing.
• Coordinates all logistical elements of events, including venue reservations, vendor services, run-of-show documentation, and travel arrangements.
• Serves as a key liaison to guest speakers, community participants, faculty, students, donors, and VIPs.
• Independently develops and manages event budgets, including allocating total funding across cost categories and conducting cost justification research.
• Coordinates cosponsorship requests and funding commitments with campus partners.
• Maintains knowledge of campus policies and procedures relating to events, including accessibility, accommodations, and university services.
• Analyzes programming outcomes and audience engagement and makes recommendations on audience development and outreach.

Communications

• Leads internal and external communications processes and strategy, public relations and media outreach, digital and web platforms, and brand management for the unit's programs and initiatives.
• Develops and implements a cohesive communications strategy that advances the unit's public and campus profile and supports audience development across multiple channels.
• Ensures the timely delivery of announcements and other information to news media, campus community, project websites, and the public.
• Manages the communications calendar, including the independent production of weekly newsletters distributed across multiple discrete program mailing lists via an email marketing platform.
• Applies professional communications judgment to adapt content to format and platform requirements, and designs and produces accompanying visual materials.
• Manages mailing list development and engagement strategy.
• Designs posters, flyers, and other print and digital publicity materials.
• Develops style guides to ensure consistency across programs and initiatives.
• Drafts and edits press releases, news stories, website content, newsletters, correspondence to organizational constituents, and other collateral.
• Serves as site manager for program websites and oversees ongoing maintenance.
• Coordinates the design and development of digital and web platforms in collaboration with contractors.
• Maintains knowledge of campus accessibility policies and procedures for publicity, websites, and digital media.
• Identifies performance targets, analyzes and reports on web and email marketing analytics, and makes recommendations to improve reach and engagement.
• Oversees social media engagement strategy and content.
• Oversees the Communications and Media Intern (work‑study), delegating and providing guidance on communications and design.
• Serves as the first point of contact for public inquiries.

Program Management

• Exercises broad programmatic responsibility for the development and implementation of programs and initiatives across the unit, managing a diverse portfolio of activities.
• Partners with faculty directors on short and long‑term planning, contributing to project scoping, feasibility assessment, and the identification of opportunities for program expansion or new initiatives.
• Plans and manages the implementation of non‑events based programmatic activities, applying project management skills to coordinate timelines, resources, and deliverables.
• Assesses program needs, develops and implements evaluation processes, analyzes results, and makes recommendations for program improvement.
• Manages special and ad‑hoc projects for the unit.
• Facilitates and stewards collaborations with campus, community, and domestic and international university partners, coordinating activities and maintaining relationships in support of faculty‑directed partnership goals.
• Assists with resource planning and performs financial management of donor and endowment funds and discrete program budgets.
• Coordinates fundraising drives, including the UC Berkeley Big Give, and cultivates ongoing donor engagement.
• Supports faculty directors in seeking cosponsorships from campus partners and manages cosponsorship funding and commitments.

Administrative Operations

• Manages and administers a range of administrative operations to sustain and support the diverse and growing programmatic activities of the unit.
• Takes ownership of the ongoing development and refinement of administrative infrastructure to support program expansion.
• Conducts analysis of university policies, procedures, and systems and recommends and develops solutions to a wide range of operational issues.
• Maintains in‑depth knowledge of campus administrative systems and platforms to support efficient operations.
• Coordinates the recruitment and hiring of work‑study, graduate student, and temporary staff positions, as well as visiting scholar appointments and visas for foreign visitors, working independently to manage processing and liaise with relevant campus offices.
• Performs financial and business services functions, including setting up independent contractors.
• Maintains working knowledge of FERPA regulations and campus Student Information Systems, providing backup support for essential student affairs functions as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to write and edit clearly and persuasively across a range of formats and for diverse audiences.
• Thorough knowledge of event planning for public programs including workshops, conferences, lectures, and symposia.
• Experience developing and implementing communications strategy across multiple platforms and audiences, including digital, print, and web, with knowledge of communications best practices and audience development.
• Analytical and problem‑solving skills, including the ability to research and analyze complex policies and procedures and develop effective solutions to operational issues.
• Demonstrated program management skills, including the ability to manage a diverse portfolio of projects and initiatives simultaneously, coordinate timelines and deliverables, and contribute to short and long‑term planning.
• Proficiency in financial management, including budgeting, expenditure tracking, and reconciliation.
• Proficiency in web publishing platforms and digital and print design tools.
• Proficiency in email marketing platforms and mailing list management.
• Familiarity with and/or ability to quickly learn UC and campus policies, procedures, and systems.
• Interest or background in interdisciplinary humanities and social sciences scholarship, or in academic and research organizations.

Salary & Benefits

The budgeted annual salary range for this position is $97,572.24 (Step 1) – $103,543.92 (Step 4). This exempt, monthly‑paid, full‑time (40 hours/week) Career position is eligible for UC benefits.

Other Information

• The position is eligible for up to 2.5 days/week remote work within the United States, with arrangements determined in partnership with the supervisor.
• This position is not a visa opportunity and does not include sponsorship of a new consular H‑1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• The position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Clerical & Allied Services Unit (CX) between the University of California and Teamsters Local 2010. The bargaining agreement manual is available at http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/cx/index.html.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.