NeuroArts Communications Specialist

About the role

The UCSF Edward and Pearl Fein Memory and Aging Center seeks a Communications Specialist 3 to lead strategic communications that advance the center's mission in research, clinical care, education, and community engagement. This position develops and implements integrated communications strategies to increase public understanding of brain health, dementia, and aging; elevate the center's scientific and clinical impact; and strengthen relationships with patients, families, collaborators, donors, and community partners.

Reporting to the Fein Memory and Aging Center Director of Communications, the Communications Specialist serves as a strategic communications partner across the center, leading multimedia storytelling, digital communications, media relations, website and social media management, project management, and cross-functional communications initiatives. The role collaborates with faculty, clinicians, researchers, staff, and institutional partners—including the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) and the Community Outreach Program (COP)—to translate complex science into accurate, accessible, and engaging communications for diverse audiences.

A key area of responsibility includes supporting interdisciplinary initiatives in NeuroArts, such as communications related to neuroaesthetics research and the application of the arts to promote brain health, dementia care, and community engagement. This involves developing creative communications strategies, fostering partnerships, and producing multimedia content that promotes brain health, reduces stigma associated with dementia, and expands community engagement.

The position manages multiple concurrent projects, coordinates internal and external stakeholders, and ensures communications align with UCSF standards and the center's strategic priorities.

About the department

The UCSF Edward and Pearl Fein Memory and Aging Center is a leading center for research, clinical care, education, and community engagement focused on neurodegenerative diseases, healthy aging, and brain health. The center brings together clinicians, researchers, educators, and community partners to advance scientific discovery, improve patient care, and promote brain health across the lifespan.

As part of its interdisciplinary mission, the Fein Memory and Aging Center has developed a growing portfolio of NeuroArts initiatives that integrate creative practice with neuroscience research, clinical care, and public engagement. Through collaborations with artists, cultural organizations, and community partners, these initiatives explore how the arts can deepen understanding of the lived experience of dementia, reduce stigma, communicate scientific discoveries, support brain health, and foster meaningful connections between science and society.

The center's NeuroArts initiatives are supported through partnerships with the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI), the Community Outreach Program (COP), Gallery 190, artist residencies, and investigator-led research programs. Working across visual arts, music, dance, theater, film, literature, and other creative disciplines, these collaborations are rooted in the San Francisco Bay Area while contributing to a growing national and international network advancing the role of the arts in brain health and dementia care.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement integrated communications strategies to advance the center’s mission in research, clinical care, education, and community engagement.
• Lead multimedia storytelling, digital communications, media relations, website and social media management, and cross-functional communications initiatives.
• Translate complex scientific, clinical, and technical information into clear, accurate, and engaging communications for diverse audiences.
• Support interdisciplinary NeuroArts initiatives, including neuroaesthetics research and the application of the arts to promote brain health and dementia care.
• Produce multimedia content that promotes brain health, reduces stigma associated with dementia, and expands community engagement.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects, coordinate internal and external stakeholders, and ensure alignment with UCSF standards and strategic priorities.
• Advise leadership on messaging, communications planning, and stakeholder engagement.
• Collaborate with faculty, clinicians, researchers, staff, artists, and community partners to foster effective working relationships.
• Assess communications needs, evaluate outcomes using qualitative and quantitative metrics, and recommend improvements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Minimum of three years of experience in communications or equivalent experience/training.
• Thorough knowledge of communications principles, practices, and strategies, including strategic planning, branding, messaging, and content development across print, digital, multimedia, and social media platforms.
• Knowledge of multimedia production, graphic design principles, visual storytelling, web publishing, accessibility standards, and digital communications technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement communications strategies for diverse audiences.
• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear and engaging communications.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, establish priorities, coordinate stakeholders, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to assess communications needs and evaluate outcomes using metrics.
• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, and consultation skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships across interdisciplinary teams and with internal and external partners.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and manage confidential or sensitive information with discretion.
• Knowledge of community engagement principles and experience communicating with diverse audiences, including patients, families, researchers, clinicians, community organizations, and older adults.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, students, artists, communications professionals, and community partners.
• Knowledge of digital content management systems, analytics tools, social media management platforms, and professional communications software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in communications, humanities, public health, or a related field.
• Familiarity with interdisciplinary collaborations involving neuroscience, brain health, public health, arts, or cultural organizations.
• Experience with communications supporting NeuroArts, neuroaesthetics, science communication, or community-engaged research.
• Familiarity with UCSF policies, brand standards, and enterprise communications systems.

Benefits

To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: UCSF Benefits.