Executive Director, Public Outreach

COMM SPEC 5 (005921)

UCPath Position ID: 41173796

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

7/10/2025 12:00:27 PM

Date Last Edited:

7/10/2025 12:00:25 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

6300O

Organization:

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Division Code:

6310D

Division:

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DIV

Department:

407500 - GOVERNMENT & COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

41173796

Position Description ID

240535

UC Payroll Title:

COMM SPEC 5 (005921)

Business Title:

Executive Director, Public Outreach

Personnel Program

Management and Senior Professional (MSP)

Salary Grade:

Grade 26

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)

0.5

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40142661

Reports to Payroll Title:

Alumni External Rel Mgr 4

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40037218

Department Head Payroll Title:

VC Dev and Univ Rels

GENERAL DIRECTION - Indicates that the incumbent receives guidance in terms of broad goals and overall objectives and is responsible for establishing the methods to attain them. Generally the incumbent is in charge of an area of work, and typically formulates policy for this area but does not necessarily have final authority for approving policy.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director, Public Outreach will have a significant impact in UCLA's Government and Community Relations (GCR) work as you lead efforts toward more purposeful, strategic and positive public outreach. Within UCLA's External Affairs organization, UCLA's Office of Government and Community Relations helps represent the Chancellor and the university in engaging with members of Congress and their staffs, the White House, and federal/state executive branch agencies and local/community entities.  GCR promotes UCLA's academic, research, and public service missions in an effort to build support for campus programs and activities.

As the Executive Director, Public Outreach, you will be instrumental in advancing the objectives of UCLA's Government and Community (GCR) work. Primary responsibilities of this position include identifying opportunities for public outreach activities; serving as editor-in-chief of a UCLA journal to highlight research in areas relevant to Los Angeles and California and to stimulate discussion about leadership and this region's civic culture; identifying opportunities for administrators and faculty to be spokespeople on key public outreach initiatives.  As the Executive Director, you will work closely and collaboratively with campus leaders, faculty, and staff throughout the university, as well as external constituents in support of GCR and UCLA's public outreach objectives.  As the Executive Director, you will have experience and expertise in creating and implementing innovative communications and media relations programs to advance public outreach initiatives.  In addition, the Executive Director will have extensive experience in managing multiple, complex communications projects. You will serve as a partner to the Associate Vice Chancellor, responsible for cultivating a broad range of relationships aligned with the university's core mission of serving society through education, research and partnerships. You will collaborate and work closely with the Associate Vice Chancellor and other colleagues in GCR.

Manage Publications and Related Public Outreach Initiatives

1. Publish a semi-annual journal on topical issues relevant to elected officials, policy makers and other civic leaders: develop the main theme for each edition; generate article topics/story list; assign to writers; work with photographers and illustrators to provide artwork; and compile into a unified magazine.

2. Manage distribution of the journal to key recipients, including the LA City Council, LA County Board of Supervisors, California state legislative and Congressional delegations.

3. Identify opportunities for public outreach activities, including at least one for each edition of the publication; manage the coordination and implementation of public outreach campaigns and programs, including developing media projects to broaden reach of individual initiatives.

80%

4. Develop partnerships with and create/implement programs in concert with external parties.

5. Collaborate with senior leaders, develop lists and identify, boards, organizations and other civic bodies for faculty and key administrators to engage.

6. Define and refine public outreach audiences for individual initiatives.

7. Work with key communications and External Affairs stakeholders; identify key contacts for databases that will serve as a tool for communicating with public outreach audiences.

8. Identify opportunities for faculty to be spokespeople on key public outreach initiatives and, if appropriate, train them for this role.

0%

Project Management

1. Oversee timeline and milestones for major projects/initiatives; oversee workflow and anticipate/resolve potential issues.

2. Interface with internal partners; keep all parties abreast of current project status.

3. Monitor press coverage and public feedback of programs and activities.

4. Evaluate and track areas of improvement and positive actions following completion of each project.

20%

•

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

in public policy, political science or related field.

Preferred

Minimum of twelve years of experience

primarily in journalism as well as one or more of the following areas: campaigns/politics, public policy/affairs, think tank, strategic communications, or strategic management consulting firm.

Required

Extensive knowledge of and experience with public affairs campaigns.

Required

Demonstrated experience with and ability to provide media training.

Required

Extensive experience with and knowledge of print, broadcast, and online media needs and priorities.

Required

Demonstrated experience leveraging public events that can be used to advance institutional objectives.

Required

Outstanding written and oral communications skills.

Required

Solid professional judgment, impeccable integrity and discretion in working with stakeholders/constituents and in the management and preservation of confidential or sensitive information.

Required

Demonstrated ability to create and implement innovative communications and programs to address and advance public outreach initiatives of GCR.

Required

Extensive media contacts at key California and national media entities.

Required

Demonstrated software proficiency; with web and new media technology expertise.

Required

Demonstrated ability to work with multiple constituents, including an understanding of navigating complex audiences.

Required

Extremely well-developed interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to develop and maintain close working relationships with senior campus leaders, faculty, students, media relations and communications colleagues, UC systemwide staff, as well as external individuals, including volunteers and donors.

Required

Thorough knowledge of issues facing public institutions of higher education.

Required

Ability to work independently and set priorities that advance institutional mission and visibility; ability to respond effectively to changing priorities and to successfully and simultaneously manage multiple ongoing projects and initiatives of varying degrees of complexity.

Required

Extensive knowledge and understanding of UCLA’s mission, long-tern objectives and key strategic plans.

Preferred

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

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

Ability to travel as needed.

Ability to work evenings and/or weekends as needed.

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:

Wilshire Glendon Offices

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

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.