DESCRIPTION

Reporting to the Chief of Operations and Strategy in Health Sciences Advancement (COS-HSA) and working in partnership with Health Sciences and HSA and Advancement leadership, the Director of Communications will be responsible for researching, analyzing and developing a broad variety of donor communications with the goal of increasing philanthropic support for UC San Diego. Independently oversees a large, complex communications program requiring a wide variety of communications media, including written, visual, digital and electronic, and associated technical applications. Works with management to develop and execute organizational communication and market branding strategy for a highly visible program. Provides high-level counsel to leadership regarding Advancement's principal and transformational development communications with a focus on donor strategies at the $1M-100M+ level. In collaboration with executives and colleagues across campus, works closely with Advancement, Health Sciences, and academic leadership to research a broad range of topics and create compelling, donor-specific content to assist Advancement leaders and development officers in meeting the university’s philanthropic goals. Works directly with internal stakeholders to develop content strategy that weaves the donor’s philanthropic intentions together with campus/department/program funding priorities and the university’s mission.

The Director of Communications will oversee all written communications, and direct other HSA Communications team members on written aspects of communications projects to support fundraising efforts for UC San Diego Health's strategic priorities. As a key strategic partner to Advancement, Health Sciences and School of Medicine leadership, serves as a conduit between high-level academics and the lay individual/donor and must be able to analyze, interpret, translate, synthesize, and compose information from a variety of fields using advanced communication and marketing concepts. Assists with the determination of topics, themes and messages that will appropriately reflect UC San Diego's institutional character. Understands and is able to apply principles of target marketing to development communications. Researches, writes and / or edits high-level communications, publications, and/or reports with complex or sensitive subject matter to audiences that are either broad or highly influential. Requires subject-matter expertise and an in-depth understanding of the audience and the communication strategies that will best serve the institution with that audience. Work is of considerable difficulty and often requires political acumen and sensitivity.

Works closely with the other professional communications staff members within Advancement, UC San Diego Health, University Communications and Public Affairs and across academic units to create a cohesive team environment and generate synergy among all participants in order to meet the university’s overall objectives.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are core values at UC San Diego and Advancement is committed to a continuous process of learning and updating practices to support systemic evolution toward equity, diversity, and inclusion for our team and constituents. We foster the UC San Diego Principles of Community by encouraging and developing a collaborative and positive environment among colleagues. UC San Diego provides resources and services so employees can develop a deeper connection to our diverse campus community. Explore more at UC San Diego Staff Associations network and Campus Community Centers.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 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.

• Thorough understanding of the sensitive nature of high-level development communications. Exceptional social skills to communicate and interact in a courteous and effective manner to achieve organizational goals, using tact and diplomacy with individuals at all levels. Demonstrated trustworthiness and ability to maintain discretion in dealing with highly sensitive and often confidential information. Demonstrated ability to ensure absolute confidentiality on all issues.

• Strong and demonstrated expository, technical and development writing skills, using correct grammar, syntax and format.

• Demonstrated experience researching, writing and editing compelling and effective development communications for a variety of audiences.

• Ability to communicate imaginatively, effectively and persuasively.

• Demonstrated experience in conducting interviews and gathering the research requisite for a broad range of development communications.

• Ability to identify, understand, analyze and interpret complex written materials, situations and concepts.

• Demonstrated ability to use applications such as MS Office software, e-mail, and listservs.

• Strong organizational skills, with management and leadership ability, to motivate staff and to act as role model.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all matters, with a strong sense of ethical conduct that will inspire confidence and motivation, promote a climate of fairness, cooperation, civility, mutual respect and professionalism.

• Exceptional leadership skills, with the ability to represent UC San Diego favorably to both campus and community constituents.

• Proven personnel management skills to provide guidance to maintain a strong team of players. Dispense appropriate disciplinary action when necessary. Ability to hire, train, supervise and evaluate staff. A good faith effort to advocate UCSD's affirmative action program when hiring individuals.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Must have access to reliable transportation.
• Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.