COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Job Listing at University of California in Santa Barbara, CA (Job ID 70123)

Description

Job Posting Details

Departmental Overview

There is a reason UCSB has been named the Best Place to Work by our local media for several years running. Whether our employees are on our stunning campus, or working remotely or hybrid they tell us they value the flexibility, stability and rich benefits we offer. Come join us as we support the mission of one of the finest public institutions in the nation. UC Santa Barbara is consistently recognized for excellence across broad fields of study. Set alongside the glorious California coast, our dynamic environment inspires scholarly ambition and creativity. Information Technology Services (ITS), the Campus' central IT unit, contributes to UC Santa Barbara's mission of research, teaching, and community service by partnering with the Campus community to efficiently deliver IT infrastructure and enterprise application services to faculty, students, staff, and affiliates.

Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC

Brief Summary of Duties

Reporting to the Director of the Program Management Office, the Communications Manager independently oversees the communications program for the Office of the Chief Information Officer. This position works closely and regularly with the Associate Vice Chancellor for IT & Chief Information Officer and campus IT leaders on a communications strategy that expresses and supports the vision and mission of UCSB IT. The position requires proactive and creative thinking about the range of work performed across the UCSB IT community and how IT leaders can communicate in effective ways to diverse groups of staff and faculty to achieve strategic goals. Develops communications plans and campaigns related to strategy, services, projects, cybersecurity, workforce engagement, incident response, and digital transformation. Leads a communications team that prepares a wide range of communications including reports, presentations, reports to the IT Board, the IT Council and the Academic Senate; campus town halls, media quotes and responses, campus memos, communications with UC Office of the President, website and social media content, and general correspondence, with high visibility and consequence of error. Researches issues and special topics, consults with campus colleagues, writes reports, and works on complex communication projects requiring quick thinking and response, strong subject matter expertise, a high degree of political acumen and sensitivity to nuance, and an in-depth understanding of how to reach out effectively and respectfully to different audiences. Exercises diplomacy, tact, and discretion at all times; works with a high degree of autonomy while developing strategies and tracking multiple deadlines and priorities; is flexible, organized, thoughtful, thorough, and collaborative. The position is expected to work closely and regularly with the Office of Public Affairs and Communications and ensure that UCSB IT communications are aligned with the broader campus brand and communications strategy. Under the supervision of the PMO Director, the Communications Manager is expected to work independently, determining and setting individual and programmatic goals and priorities. Work is reviewed in terms of meeting objectives, quality of work, the ability to build consensus and earn trust in a highly decentralized organization.

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, or related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• 4-6 years of experience - Advanced skills to create, develop, and implement long and short-term strategic communication plans.
• 4-6 years of experience - 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.
• 4-6 years of experience - Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal communications, active listening and political acumen skills.
• 4-6 years of experience - Excellent analytical, critical thinking, project management, and problem recognition, avoidance, and resolution skills.
• 4-6 years of experience - Ability to synthesize results and identify an action plan to optimize future communications.

Preferred Qualifications

• 4-6 years of experience - Awareness and understanding of digital communication channels, along with related business and consumer trends.
• 4-6 years of experience in higher education and/or the public sector, and/or in a highly decentralized organization.
• 4-6 years of experience - Knowledge of UCSB protocols and channels for communication internally and externally. 
• 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 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.
   

Special Conditions of Employment

• Satisfactory completion of a conviction history background check
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Responsibilities

• 60% Communications Strategic Planning & Program Development:
  • Serves as the lead communications officer for the Office of the CIO (OCIO) and Information Technology Services (ITS) under the direction of the Program Management Office Director. Develops and manages complex comprehensive communications programs, including written, visual, digital, and electronic communications and events, for the OCIO and ITS. 
  • Works with OCIO and ITS leaders to create, develop, and implement comprehensive long and short term strategic communications plans for both department and campus-wide programs and initiatives. Working closely with the CIO and IT leaders, provides advice and counsel on all aspects of communications, including strategic planning, effective messaging, and problem resolution. 
  • Leads ad hoc teams of diverse department and campus employee groups to produce communication pieces with a variety of targets and venues including written, visual, digital, and electronic communications and events. 
  • Ensures production of high-quality communications products that effectively deliver the desired message within budget and time constraints. Crafts communications to directly address the intended audience such as staff, faculty, students, campus leadership, and governance members of projects and programs.
  •  Identifies specific communications needs and develops the content and process for organizational improvements. Works with OCIO and ITS management to build an organizational brand and create tools for positioning the OCIO, ITS and UCSB IT with UCSB stakeholders in order to deliver the mission.
• 30% Special Projects and Analysis:
  • Leads, designs and authors communications for special projects and assignments that are sensitive or complex in nature, requiring a high level of initiative and care in execution and implementation, such as departmental reorganizations and organizational-wide technology transitions. 
  • Works independently in a fast-paced and collaborative environment to prioritize projects and meet deadlines. 
  • Anticipates potential needs and communication opportunities based on OCIO and ITS activities and priorities. 
  • Coordinates with other staff and makes use of shared resources (calendar, email, administrative records).
• 10% Staff Management:
  • Provides supervision and professional development to direct reports. In consultation with the PMO Director, identifies, gathers, assesses, and analyzes performance metrics and publishes performance measures for services provided by PMO. 
  • Identifies areas for process improvement and incorporates changes into the unit's operational approaches. 
  • Provides ongoing motivation, coaching, guidance, feedback, and mentoring to support the team. 
  • Manages the workload of department communications staff and removes obstacles to their success. 
  • Oversees communication vendors, outside contractors, and consultants for various programs and projects. 
  • Handles the following supervisory duties: hiring into subordinate positions, onboarding, completing performance evaluations, training, internal approval for comp/class action submissions, employee disciplinary actions, grievance resolution, and offboarding.
     

UC Vaccination Programs Policy – With Interim Revisions

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs – With Interim Revisions.

As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals* must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.).  Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements. 

For more information:

UC Santa Barbara COVID-19 Information

University of California Policy on Vaccinations – With Interim Amendments 

* Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement

UC Santa Barbara is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

For more information:                                                

University of California's Affirmative Action Policy

University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy

Reasonable Accommodations

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Payroll Title: Communications Specialist 4

Job Code: 005887

Job Open Date: 06/10/2024

Application Review Begins: 06/26/2024; open until filled

Department Code (Name): IPLA (ENTER PLANNING & ARCHITECTURE)

Percentage of Time: 100%

Union Code (Name): 99 (Non-Represented)

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff: Career

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): MSP

Salary Grade: Grade 24

Budgeted/Hiring Salary Range: $103,210 to $131,000/yr.

Full Salary Range: Salary offers are based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable and consistent pay practices at the University.  The full salary range for this position is $91,300 to $170,700/yr. The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $103,210 to $131,000/yr.

Work Location: Student Affairs & Administrative Services - 4101

Working Days and Hours: M-F; 8am - 5pm

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Type of Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement, if applicable: Hybrid

Special Instructions:

For full consideration, please include a resume and a cover letter as part of your application.