Communications Specialist 4 CM

COMM SPEC 4 CM (006401)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_1000446

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

9/18/2026 6:02:08 PM

Date Last Edited:

9/18/2026 6:02:05 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

8010O

Organization:

VICE CHANCELLOR-STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

Division Code:

8510D

Division:

COMMUNICATIONS                         

Department:

777000 - EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS&PUBLIC OUTREACH

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_1000446

Position Description ID

264730

UC Payroll Title:

COMM SPEC 4 CM (006401)

Personnel Program

Management and Senior Professional (MSP)

Salary Grade:

STEPS

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

CM: Comms, Mktg, & Sales Profs

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40952003

Reports to Payroll Title:

COMM SUPV 2

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40231796

Department Head Payroll Title:

VC STRAT COMM

GENERAL SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent develops procedures for performance of variety of duties; or performs complex duties within established policy guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Associate Director of Executive Communications serves as a senior communications strategist responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive executive communications initiatives supporting the Chancellor, Executive Vice Chancellor/Provost, and other university leaders. The incumbent independently manages highly visible communications projects and provides strategic counsel on messaging, executive positioning, reputation management, and stakeholder engagement. Working with significant autonomy, the position develops integrated communications strategies that advance UCLA's mission, institutional priorities, and public profile across internal and external audiences.

The successful candidate will be curious and creative – and have a knack for translating complex information into clear writing that resonates easily with broad internal and external audiences. This person will have a talent for learning – and taking on – the voice and style of different senior leaders, as well as an ear for musical language and the flow of ideas. The ideal candidate will have exceptional research and editing skills, and a talent for synthesizing information from different sources and translating it into concise, memorable messaging. This person will be deft in learning the processes and protocols of navigating a large, complex organization.

UCLA Strategic Communications (StratComm) brings UCLA’s mission and values to life by inspiring positive action as UCLA's lead storytellers, reflecting the multifaceted diversity of our university and surrounding communities. Demonstrating and reinforcing the university's commitment to inclusive excellence in all creative work is central to StratComm’s success. Our two pillars are transparency and humanity.

Executive Communications Strategy and Program Leadership

1. Works with the Director of Executive Communications to develop communications on a wide variety of topics while demonstrating clarity, accuracy, nuance, humanity, and transparency.

2. Writes and edits communications, with sensitivity toward timing, nuance, and subtlety related to message, audience, and delivery.

3. Devises communications on topics that are wide, varied and relevant to the campus community.

4. Translates complex academic information into compelling communications for a variety of audiences including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and parents.

5. Builds trusted relationships with colleagues across campus and with senior leaders through a track record of reliability, results, and awareness of issues.

6. Supports other Strategic Communications colleagues with written communications, as needed. Editing and strategic communications support on certain projects to be determined by StratComm leadership.

7. Develops and executes comprehensive executive communications strategies aligned with UCLA's institutional priorities, reputation management objectives, and strategic initiatives.

8. Advises senior leadership on communication approaches related to emerging issues, opportunities, institutional priorities, and sensitive matters affecting the university.

9. Evaluates communication effectiveness and recommends adjustments to messaging and outreach strategies.

10. Serves as a trusted communications advisor to senior university leaders on messaging, positioning, audience engagement, and reputational considerations.

11.   Provides recommendations regarding communication risks, stakeholder considerations, timing, and message framing for sensitive or politically complex issues.

12.   Develops communications regarding complex, sensitive, and high-profile issues requiring exceptional judgment, discretion, political acumen, and understanding of stakeholder impacts.

13.   Synthesizes information from diverse and often competing perspectives to develop communications that balance institutional priorities and stakeholder interests.

70%

Executive Positioning

1. Develops and executes executive positioning strategies that advance UCLA's reputation, strategic priorities, and public profile. Identifies and cultivates opportunities for senior leaders to engage key internal and external stakeholders through speeches, thought leadership, public appearances, digital content, and special communications initiatives. Coordinates messaging to ensure consistency with institutional brand, values, and strategic objectives.

30%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree

Emphasis in history, writing, social sciences, education, international relations or business.

Preferred

6-8+ years

Progressively responsible experience developing and implementing strategic communications programs within a large, complex organization, including direct experience advising senior executives on communications strategy, executive positioning, and sensitive organizational issues.

Required

Demonstrated experience leading communications initiatives with institution-wide visibility and significant reputational impact.

Required

Demonstrated ability to translate complex and difficult information into creative and effective messages.

Required

Demonstrated ability to collaborate with senior leadership and senior departmental staff to identify communication needs and to conceive and execute programs and services to meet such needs.

Required

Ability to translate leaders' initiatives and goals into inspiring ideas and concepts, as well as an understanding of how to effectively tailor messages for different audiences. Demonstrated ability to research, collect and organize data and material from diverse sources to create memorable speeches and/or messages.

Required

Demonstrated interest in and commitment to serving in an environment that prizes inclusive excellence.

Required

Demonstrated ability to articulate goals, strategies, tactics, and benchmarks. Comprehensive, current knowledge of technology with the ability to fully utilize the capabilities of new media.

Required

Demonstrated ability to strategically improve and maintain internal communications structures within a complex organization.

Required

Ability to successfully manage multiple ongoing tasks and responsibilities of varying degrees of complexity simultaneously. Demonstrated experience in writing on deadline.

Required

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a broad and diverse communications organization and beyond.

Required

A strong strategic orientation, commitment to excellence, and attention to detail. Ability to handle all information with sensitivity, discretion and solid judgment.

Required

Demonstrated ability to produce professional-level written materials in Spanish.

Required

Background in complex, global environment and industries.

Required

Working knowledge of UC and UCLA departments, policies, regulations, guidelines, and resources for programming. Knowledge of the history, policies and practices of the University of California system and UCLA.

Required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

Murphy Hall

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.