Director of Communications and External Relations

About the Organization

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation, and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It is located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.

The School of Physical Sciences at UC Irvine hosts four nationally-ranked departments—Chemistry, Earth System Science, Mathematics, and Physics and Astronomy—each delivering world-class education and fundamental research. The school is home to the first department in the country dedicated to understanding the earth system and climate change. It has produced multiple Nobel-Prize-winning discoveries, including the realization that CFCs deplete ozone and the first detection of the neutrino. Alumni include a Nobel Laureate in chemistry, CEOs of top companies, scientists advancing clean-energy solutions, and innovators developing life-saving drugs. Faculty are addressing critical challenges such as sustainable clean energy, cancer tumor prediction using mathematics, and exploring the universe with advanced telescopes. With an annual budget exceeding $100M, the School of Physical Sciences is an engine of innovation for the region and the globe.

About the Role

The School of Physical Sciences seeks a Director of Communications and External Relations. This position is a member of the senior management team and is responsible for organizational strategic direction, planning, and implementation related to internal and external marketing and communications for the School. The role includes executive communications, alumni communications, public and media relations, community relations, and event engagement.

The Director will develop, execute, and oversee a comprehensive marketing and communications program using a variety of media, including written, visual, digital, and electronic formats. The role involves determining appropriate strategies for communications and external relations goals, researching and writing news releases, placing faculty in the media, developing publications, and managing web development. The Director will also write reports and materials for presentations by School faculty and administrators.

The position maintains close liaison with the University Communications office and works directly with the Dean and School management to develop and execute organizational communication and market branding strategies. The Director represents the School to the campus and community on all matters related to external relations, marketing, and communications, playing a key strategic role in establishing the perception and visibility of the School.

The position supervises 2.0 FTE and has budget authority to support marketing and communications operations and activities. This role is eligible for hybrid work on a schedule that meets the business needs of leadership and the unit.

Responsibilities

• Content Production (25%):
  • Produces communication pieces in written, visual, digital, and electronic formats.
  • Conceptualizes, designs, writes, and distributes the school’s newsletter.
  • Oversees and writes press releases, feature stories, and media advisories.
  • Prepares remarks and speaking materials for the Dean, collaborating with the Director of Development as needed.
  • Handles graphic design for publication projects and photo work, including scheduling photo shoots.
  • Builds and maintains relationships with university offices to expand the reach of school-focused content.
  • Coordinates and serves as a subject matter expert for school-level marketing and communications materials.
  • Attends monthly strategic communications meetings and represents the school on the university communications strategic management team.
• Strategy Implementation (25%):
  • Manages complex internal and external marketing and communications efforts for the School of Physical Sciences.
  • Works with departmental, school, and campus administration to create and implement long- and short-term strategic marketing and communications plans.
  • Develops and executes objectives for the school’s internal and external marketing and communications in line with the Dean’s vision.
  • Serves as the key contact point for internal and external school-level marketing communications materials.
  • Provides advice and counsel to School leadership, faculty, staff, and administration on marketing and communications, including messaging and problem resolution.
  • Works with the Dean and faculty to produce opinion and thought pieces aimed at increasing visibility and funding.
  • Positions faculty experts in response to breaking or developing news on relevant subjects.
  • Designs and implements community events and partnerships that align with the Dean’s vision and goals.
• Team Leadership (20%):
  • Supervises staff supporting scientific writing, event coordination, and outreach, assigning daily duties and long-term strategic priorities.
  • Performs constructive employment evaluations biannually and provides learning opportunities for career growth.
  • Manages recruitment and selection processes for vacant positions.
  • Directs budget activities, including review, analysis, and decision-making on budget requests.
  • Develops sound fiscal practices and strategies for deploying financial resources.
  • Solicits external vendors for print, design, and photography, including RFP and invoice processing.
• Brand Management (15%):
  • Works with school management to build an organizational brand and create tools for strategic positioning.
  • Oversees all publications and collateral material, standardizing the school’s graphics and identity program.
  • Establishes guidelines and standards for the use of the school logo and the look, style, and design of all communications.
• Digital Strategy (10%):
  • Leads the school’s website strategy, including design direction, layout, content generation, and maintenance.
  • Serves as the point of contact for all school-sponsored departments, research centers, and office sites.
  • Ensures design, structure, and content effectively represent the school’s mission and activities for target audiences.
  • Manages the redesign and upgrade of the current website.
  • Directs the work of the school’s web programmers to maintain a viable web presence.
  • Provides training and support on web-related tools to department managers, assistants, graduate students, and faculty.
  • Develops and manages the school’s social media presence and e-newsletter, including design, content, and distribution.
  • Creates targeted newsletters and HTML emails for departments, research centers, and programs.
  • Develops the school’s video strategy, including conceptualization, coordination, filming, production, and distribution of research, promotional, and recruitment videos.
• Media Relations (10%):
  • Conceptualizes and writes media advisories, press releases, and expert pitches.
  • Actively pitches story ideas, news, and program announcements to the Office of Strategic Communications and targeted media outlets.
  • Develops and implements strategic media relations plans based on academic programs and research activities.
  • Monitors university and media outlets for potential news angles relevant to Physical Sciences faculty, students, donors, and alumni.
  • Coordinates contact between journalists and faculty, working with university communications to position the school in the media.
  • Serves as the School’s representative on the all-campus integrated marketing communications team.
  • Works with key campus and external constituents to expand the reach of school-focused content.
• Events (5%):
  • Assesses, develops, coordinates, and implements a schedule of events to support alumni relations, outreach, and key initiatives.
  • Determines which events align with the Dean’s vision and coordinates associated communications.
  • Oversees event support and logistics.
• Department Support (5%):
  • Works directly with units to coordinate and assist in implementing unit-level communication efforts.
  • Ensures integrity and consistency of all communications from the school.
  • Collaborates to develop communication strategies and identify effective uses of marketing and communications resources.
  • Establishes relationships with key communication and marketing services vendors.

Requirements

• Advanced knowledge and understanding of all aspects of communications, including strategic planning for various media venues, technical requirements, and effective applications.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of technical applications to direct professional technical staff and perform technical work, including design concepts and media applications.
• 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, including developing effective strategies and responding to sensitive or complex issues.
• Expert written, verbal, interpersonal communication, active listening, and political acumen skills to initiate, develop, and maintain effective working relationships.