Executive Director of Media Relations (Issues Management)

MEDIA COMM MGR 2 (000414)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_2678

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

2/7/2025 2:28:44 PM

Date Last Edited:

2/7/2025 2:28:40 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

11/19/2024

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

8010O

Organization:

VICE CHANCELLOR-STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

Division Code:

8510D

Division:

COMMUNICATIONS

Department:

775500 - MEDIA RELATIONS

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_2678

Position Description ID

232803

UC Payroll Title:

MEDIA COMM MGR 2 (000414)

Business Title:

Executive Director of Media Relations (Issues Management)

Personnel Program

Management and Senior Professional (MSP)

Salary Grade:

Grade 27

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

99: Non-Represented (PPSM)

Employee Relations Code:

A: Manager - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40231796

Reports to Payroll Title:

VC STRAT COMM

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40231796

Department Head Payroll Title:

VC STRAT COMM

DIRECTION - Indicates that the incumbent establishes procedures for attaining specific goals and objectives in a broad area of work. Only the final results of work done are typically reviewed. Incumbent typically develops procedures within the limits of established policy guidelines.

000416

Media Comm Spec 5

2

005885

Media Comm Spec 4

1

007462

Media Comm Spec 3

1

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications, the Executive Director of Media Relations (issues management) manages and supervises responses to incoming media queries to UCLA Strategic Communications and social media posts and threads that typically involve sensitive issues concerning campus operations and activities that require strategic media and social media counsel. Working with the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications, campus leadership and other StratComm leadership; the Executive Director of Media Relations manages communications issues; directs campus communications efforts related to issues of importance to the campus and its stakeholders; manages media requests on campus issues related to public records requests; and creates crisis communications plans. The Executive Director of Media Relations leads staff in the management of unsolicited, incoming media inquiries and serves as a team lead for projects that require broad departmental involvement; works closely with campus emergency personnel on media response during a crisis; represents the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications at meetings and events as needed; and serves as a spokesperson on key communications issues involving UCLA as they unfold, coordinating response procedures and staffing. Working hours may include weekends, evenings and holidays and light travel is required.

Under the direction of the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications, the Executive Director of Media Relations is expected to work independently, determining and setting individual and team projects and priorities. Work is reviewed in terms of meeting objectives, quality of work, innovative approaches, meeting deadlines, business and budgetary goals and objectives and the ability to provide appropriate administrative and communication leadership.

The Executive Director of Media Relations supervises a staff of issues management and media relations professionals and provides regular team leadership and functional expertise and feedback on all projects within the department.

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 equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in all creative work is central to StratComm's success. We believe a workplace culture that values EDI practices is essential to building strong teams, which translates to robust ideas, strategies and creative content that resonate with UCLA's diverse audiences.

Strategic Communications

1. Develops a comprehensive communications and media vision and strategy that advances UCLA's reputation and builds support for institutional priorities, enhances the image and visibility of UCLA locally, nationally and internationally, and for the management of controversial issues. (E)

2. Defines strategic communications planning efforts, determines actionable goals, metrics and implementation approach to guide staff in designing, measuring, preparing and executing communications and media responses. (E)

3. Sets policy and short- and long-range strategy for communications and media relations efforts. (E)

4. Directs campus communications efforts related to issues of importance to the campus and its stakeholders with particular attention to media relations efforts. (E)

5. Provides counsel and support to the Vice Chancellor of Strategic Communications and campus senior leaders, including Vice Chancellors and Deans, on critical media matters involving serious liability of consequence to the University. (E)

6. Collaborates with the VC in helping campus senior leadership assess reputational impact of crises, including public reactions to campus positions; developing public messages that represent campus positions; crafting and implementing media strategies to support campus positions during a crises or campus emergency. (E)

7. Preserves and advances the University's reputation among key internal and external constituencies, including public policy makers, civic and business leaders, donors, alumni, and the higher education community. (E)

8. Serves as the University spokesperson. (E)

60%

Senior Media Relations Officer

1. Serves as lead media relations representative on complex media issues, working with campus leaders to develop messages and serving as point person with external media. (E)

2. Provides timely, accurate and effective response to internal and external media inquiries and requests. (E)

3. Places commentary in mainstream and niche media by administrative or academic leaders on current-event topics that support the University's public and/or advancement objectives on topics and projects as assigned. (E)

4. Identifies potential issues and initiates media placement of comment or appearances by administrative and academic experts to proactively address. (E)

B 5. Coordinates media interviews for senior administrative leadership and faculty. (E)

6. Stays abreast of current events, issues and developments in all subject areas. (E)

7. Cultivates contacts at key media outlets that support the University's public objectives and/or advancement. (E)

8. Anticipates public events (holidays and observances, elections, reports and studies, judicial rulings, etc.) and coordinate the public, development and/or government and community relations objectives. (E)

9. Conceives and manages the production and distribution of press kits, fact sheets, talking points, expert directories, and other support documents for University developments of national significance. (E)

20%

Management

1. Provides leadership in setting operational goals, establishing budgets andproducing deliverables. (E)

2. Oversees Crisis Communications, which responds to inquiries fromstudent, local and national media on a broad variety of issues in a way that protects the institution's reputation and clearly communicate the institution's priorities and values. (E)

3. Works collectively and collaboratively with colleagues to establish supportfor cross-functional projects. (E)

4. Builds partnerships in with other units across campus to help achieve acomprehensive and coordinated communications vision for the campus. (E)

5. Serves as a member of Strategic Communications executive leadership team to establish strategic goals for the department. (E)

6. Provides leadership to department- and institute-wide committees andtask forces. (E)

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

Master's Degree

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

Preferred

10-20 years

Strategic counsel and speechwriting experience, serving CEOs and senior-most executives- from higher education, political leadership, or corporations.

Required

Demonstrated experience in ensuring that communications align with strategic UCLA branding efforts.

Required

Demonstrated experience in journalist writing on deadline.

Required

Demonstrated ability to use communications strategies to move public opinion, encourage stakeholder involvement and support, increase donor support, and establish brand preference.

Required

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

Required

Demonstrated success in gaining participation through effective communication throughout an organization.

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

Proven track record of effective speeches written for executives.

Required

Ability to successfully manage multiple ongoing tasks and responsibilities of varying degrees of complexity simultaneously.

Required

Demonstrated skills to actively and constructively participate in a complex organization, recognizing the need for a high degree of collaboration.

Required

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

Required

Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build cooperative, effective relationships with administrators and staff.

Required

Knowledge of distinctions between writing for the eye and for the ear.

Required

Basic knowledge of public relations practices and procedures.

Required

Background in complex, global environment and industries preferred.

Preferred

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

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

Ability to get to work reliably and on time and to be present in the workplace during normal working hours.

Required

Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Required

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

JWAC, 2nd Floor

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

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

Communication skills

X

Numerical Skills

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.