Director of Campus Communications

Telecommuting: The selected candidate will be required to work in person for the first six months. After that period, the position will be eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

HOW TO APPLY

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 07-13-2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

University Advancement supports the teaching, research, and public service of UC Santa Cruz by making and keeping deep, heartfelt connections. Building enduring relationships among students, alumni, faculty, donors, and others is the lifeblood of our work and helps to make UC Santa Cruz a thriving community of knowledge, inquiry, public service, and social mobility.

We are a welcoming group of ambitious and creative professionals pursuing our mission in support of the university's overarching purpose. We take our work seriously because we care - but we don't take ourselves too seriously! The University Advancement culture is lively and dynamic; we value collaboration; and our staff is resourceful, enthusiastic, and hard-working.

The division is a fun, friendly, and open place, and our colleagues are supportive of and positive about each other's goals and aspirations. We often jump in to help where needed, rolling up our sleeves to get the job done. We dare to approach challenges as opportunities. We seek creative ways to overcome obstacles, at times with limited resources, while keeping our eye on the objective: helping students achieve their goals, providing crucial public service, and advancing life-changing research and discovery.

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. We are looking for candidates who do great work, and we hope they come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We aspire to build an increasingly diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every qualification for the position but possess transferable skills and experiences.

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Communications and Marketing and working closely with the Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor for Business and Administrative Services, the incumbent is charged with developing and implementing multi-channel communication plans to advance faculty and staff understanding and appreciation of university initiatives and policies.

Aligning with campus priorities, the communications director will help strengthen community and respect through effective and transparent communications that reflect and support the campus's commitment to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The ability to balance short-term communication needs with developing strategic communication plans to advance long-term strategic initiatives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment is critical to the success of the university's employee-focused communications efforts.

The Director for Campus Communications must be comfortable collaborating with colleagues at all levels across campus, throughout the system, and in the Office of the President, as well as creating and shaping communications so that they are tailored to an employee audience.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $97,200 - $130,000/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: CM Union

Job Code Classification: 006401 (Comm Spec 4 CM)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

60% - Content Creation and Management

• Working closely with the Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor for Business and Administrative Services, the communications director develops and implements multi-channel communication plans to advance faculty and staff understanding and appreciation of university initiatives.
• Interprets complex issues and presents them effectively to an employee audience; adapts style, tone, and word choice to channel and address audience needs.
• Drives an editorial calendar that balances a variety of information to engage, support, and inspire employees across campus. Drafts, edits, proofreads, formats and distributes announcements affecting faculty and staff at UC Santa Cruz.

20% - Stakeholder Relationships

• Forges and maintains strong relationships with colleagues across UC Santa Cruz and engages with peers across UC.
• Consults with campus colleagues for new topics and content based on trends within the university's competitive and cultural landscape.
• Contributes to communications projects from conception through completion.
• Works cross-functionally to support the rollout of communication campaigns/events across the university.
• Manages expectations to preserve stakeholder relationships and department reputation.
• Serves as a key member of the University Communications leadership team, working to ensure a coordinated internal and external communications program.

10% - Reputation Management

• Supports internal brand-building and alignment.
• Ensures internal communications activities support public and community relations objectives.
• Monitors sentiment of employee audiences to identify potential reputational risks and proactively offer solutions.
• Manages a high volume of content, both original and submitted, ensuring mission and brand alignment.

5% - Crisis Communications

• Actively partners with colleagues to incorporate employee perspectives in crisis communications planning and preparedness.
• Under supervision, communicates with internal audiences during crises, assisting with internal reputational management before, during and after such crises.
• Identifies reputational risks and gauging sentiment related to the university name and brand.
• Participates in scheduled crisis training exercises.

5% - Miscellaneous

• Represents the unit's AVC at campus and systemwide meetings, conferences, and on systemwide conference calls; participates in governance activities of Communications and Marketing and University Relations by attending meetings, retreats, and planning sessions.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of all aspects of communications, including strategic planning for various media venues, technical aspects and requirements of various venues, and most appropriate and effective applications.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of technical applications to direct professional technical staff, or personally perform technical work, including design concepts, various media, and applications.
• Advanced knowledge of the organization, including its mission, vision, goals, policies, and infrastructure; strong knowledge of current affairs and issues in higher education and / or health sciences.
• Advanced skills to create, develop, and implement long and short term strategic communication plans.
• Advanced skills to advise and consult management on all aspects of communications, ranging from developing effective communication strategies to appropriately responding to inquiries regarding sensitive or complex issues or information.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal communications, active listening and political acumen skills.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, project management, and problem recognition, avoidance, and resolution skills.
• Thorough knowledge of location protocols and channels for communication internally and externally.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work a hybrid work schedule and must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

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 allegations 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

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

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 categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.