Communications Manager

MEDIA COMM SPEC 3 (007462)

UCPath Position ID: 40984178

Position Description History/Status

For Reference ONLY - PeopleAdmin JA Number:

1137573

Approved Date:

8/1/2025 3:10:14 PM

Date Last Edited:

8/1/2025 3:10:11 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

2/6/2023

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

8400O

Organization:

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Division Code:

8420D

Division:

DEAN, UCLA EXTENSION

Department:

574500 - UNEX-MARKETING

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

40984178

Position Description ID

167576

UC Payroll Title:

MEDIA COMM SPEC 3 (007462)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

Grade 22

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

99: Non-Represented (PPSM)

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:

40932470

Reports to Payroll Title:

COMM SPEC 4

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40899453

Department Head Payroll Title:

#N/A

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

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of Strategic Communications, the Communications Manager has the sole and primarily responsibility for reporting, writing, editing, and proofreading of news, press releases, marketing copy, emails, and other internal and external communications for UCLA Extension. Additionally, they will be the editorial director - leading and managing the planning and execution of news stories for the UCLA Extension newsroom, newsletter, and magazine. They will directly supervise an editorial and magazine student worker.

As an exceptional and innovative storyteller, the Communications Manager holds the pivotal responsibility of safeguarding and enhancing the UCLA Extension's reputation both locally and globally among internal and external stakeholders. Leveraging industry expertise in editorial communications, this role involves identifying, researching, planning, developing, and crafting compelling narratives and authoring press releases that elevate the UCLA Extension brand and its initiatives. The Manager will strategically disseminate these stories across newsletters, social media, print/magazine, and web platforms, ensuring cohesive and impactful official messaging.

Additionally, the Manager has oversight of newsletter production and editorial logistics, as well as leverage data and analytics to drive informed decision-making and content creation for the newsroom website. Serving as the editorial director of the semi-annual UCLA Extension Magazine, the Manager will steer its vision and editorial integrity to further elevate and strengthen the UCLA Extension brand and reputation in the community.

As a trusted representative of UCLA Extension, the Manager will forge and maintain robust relationships with campus partners, academic departments, and media representatives, ensuring broad and impactful reach for the institution's brand, programs, and initiatives.

Additionally, they will be called upon for executive communications, crafting and composing official messaging - internally and externally - and engaging with the media when necessary. Acting as a trusted representative for the organization and senior leadership, they will compose and manage crisis communications and executive communications, internally and externally. They will author, edit, and/or review emails, memos, and official statements for senior executive leadership, such as: power points, speeches, and presentation/talking points. 

Excelling in quality, innovation, and impact, UCLA Extension (UNEX) is one of the top providers of continuing and professional education in the United States, offering programs and classes to more than 50,000 students per year through approximately 4,500 classes and certificate programs to meet the professional development, continuing education, and personal enrichment needs of the full spectrum of traditional, nontraditional, domestic, international, professional, and continuing education students throughout and beyond Los Angeles.

Managing Public

Relations &

Editorial

Communications

1. Develop, plan, implement, and manage communication strategies that effectively enhance awareness and understanding of UCLA Extension through various storytelling techniques.

2. Serve as the primary editor for the division newsletter / newsroom website -  oversight and management of editorial logistics and communications planning to ensure timely and strategic content delivery.

3. As primary editor, research and develop unique stories throughout the organization, conduct interviews, plan/coordinate and assign month to month stories to staff to produce, ensure production of stories (for division & University newsrooms) are timely, quality, and effectively appeal across various audiences.

4. Author and pitch press releases to elevate the UCLA Extension brand and promote its initiatives and programs in the community, locally and globally.

5. Cultivate and maintain strong working relationships with campus partners, academic departments, and media representatives.

6. Serve as the editorial director of semi-annual UCLA Extension Magazine, overseeing and managing story production process among the team (research, development, and production) and partnering with the creative team to edit, design, and distribute email communications with relevant photography and graphics.

7. Review, edit, and approve content for various projects to ensure clarity, accuracy, and quality.

8. Act as a spokesperson for UCLA Extension, handling media inquiries and internal communications while maintaining confidentiality.

9. Develop, plan, and implement communications plans to support senior executive leadership and key initiatives of the organization.

10. Oversee the creation and editorial direction of newsletters targeting various audiences including staff, instructors, alumni and community.

65%

Executive Communications

1. Implement a strategic communications plan for the Office of the Dean, aligning with the institution's goals and objectives.

2. Write speeches, presentations, talking points, memos, email blasts, updates and messages for Dean and senior leadership that elevate the UCLA Extension brand and drive awareness of UCLA Extension initiatives and programs.

3. Write general announcements from leadership to staff, including strategic initiatives, policy changes, new senior staff announcements, and other key messages.

4. Handle media relations for Dean and senior leadership, crafting quotes, pitching stories and writing op-eds.

20%

Project Management, Quality Maintenance, & Administrative Responsibilities

1. Acts as main point of contact with the online newsroom CMS vendor to maintain high standards of quality and function of the UCLA Extension newsroom website.

2. Track, manage, and analyze data on newsroom stories and email newsletter performance, using insights to make data-driven recommendations for future content.

3. Track and manage various projects on project management software, ensuring they are completed on time and within scope.

4. Directly supervise student staff, assign schedule, projects, and assignment, evaluate quality of work and provide guidance and support to help development and performance management.

15%

•

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

Bachelor's degree in journalism, English, marketing, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience is required.

Required

5 - 7 years

Minimum of progressively responsible professional experience in public relations, communications, or news writing; reporting and writing news features and press releases and pitching stories to media.

Required

Possess expert professional-level writing and editing skills; Exceptional storytelling and demonstrated ability to produce clear and compelling presentations.

Required

Advanced written, verbal, and interpersonal communications skills, including a strong sense of a good story and understanding of the topics that may be of interest to various publics and will incorporate key location messages; possess effective communication skills to initiate and maintain cooperative, effective working relationships with academic and staff employees, media contacts, and the public; ability to interact with others in a direct, cooperative, and tactful manner and with a professional demeanor.

Required

Expert knowledge of the concepts and principles of news, media communications and media relations; must have applied expert-level knowledge and experience in Associated Press style guidelines commonly used in editorial communications industry.

Required

Advanced knowledge and highly experienced in editorial production such as newsrooms and magazines.

Required

Highly collaborative style with experience developing and implementing communications strategies successfully; possessing skills in negotiating and exchanging ideas, information, and opinions with others to formulate solutions or to arrive jointly at decisions.

Required

Advanced research and analytical skills.

Required

Advanced skills and expertise in understanding and effectively utilizing all news / media mediums including broadcast news, the internet, social media and other emerging technologies.

Required

Outstanding organizational and analytical skills to manage multiple projects and perform efficiently and courteously in a fast-paced environment with a fluctuating workload, conflicting and competing priorities, and frequent distractions and interruptions. Ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, and follow through on multiple tasks and projects with attention to detail and in a timely manner.

Required

Highly skilled in managing time and meeting multiple deadlines as it relates to editorial calendars and curating newsletters.

Required

Ability to exercise independent and sound judgement; possess strong political acumen, advanced organizational skills, and skill to maintain strict confidentiality; ability to prioritize tasks and achieve a high level of productivity and quality; Higher education experience is preferred.

Required

Demonstrated proficiency and capabilities with personal computers and software, and the Web (inclusive of social media). Working knowledge of standard computer office applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint or other productivity software.

Required

Additional experience in marketing copywriting, speech writing, social media, magazine writing, photography, video editing, or other related field.

Preferred

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.

Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.

Must be able to work evenings and weekend hours for news and event coverage.

Required

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Non-University Setting(s)

Location:

433 S. Spring Street Los Angeles, CA 90013

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

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.