Communications and PR Manager

University of California, Irvine

$79K — $90K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of relevant experience in communications or public relations, preferably in an academic setting.
  • Strong knowledge of strategic communications principles and best practices.
  • Proficiency in digital tools and platforms such as WordPress, Constant Contact, and Canva.
  • Exceptional writing and editing skills, with experience in AP Style.
  • Strong media relations skills and the ability to foster relationships with various stakeholders.
  • Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism or related field, or equivalent experience.
  • Ability to adapt messages for diverse audiences and platforms.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive communications and public relations strategy for the law school.
  • Shape and enhance the school's brand identity across digital and print channels.
  • Create compelling narratives that effectively communicate the school’s mission and achievements.
  • Manage media outreach and cultivate relationships with journalists and influencers.
  • Evaluate communications effectiveness using metrics and refine strategies accordingly.
  • Collaborate with faculty and administration to ensure alignment with institutional goals.
  • Produce and oversee the development of promotional materials and publications.

Benefits

  • Medical insurance options to support your health needs.
  • Paid sick leave and vacation time for work-life balance.
  • Retirement savings plans to help secure your future.
  • Access to discounts and perks for various services and products.
Full Job Description
Your Role on the Team

Under the supervision of the Assistant Dean for Communications, the Communications and PR Manager will lead the development and execution of a comprehensive, integrated communications and public relations strategy for the UC Irvine School of Law. This individual will be responsible for shaping and promoting the law school's brand identity across all channels including the school website, social media platforms, email newsletters, marketing materials, media outreach, and special publications.

The ideal candidate is a skilled storyteller, strategic thinker, and relationship-builder who thrives in a fast-paced academic environment and understands the unique communications landscape of a professional school within a major research university. This role requires both the creative sensibility to craft compelling narratives and the analytical mindset to determine communications platforms, measure impact and refine strategy.

The expected pay range for this recruitment is $79,200- $90,000 (Annual).

What It Takes to be Successful

Required:
  • Understanding of legal education, legal scholarship, or professional education environments.
  • Principles and best practices of strategic communications, public relations, and media relations.
  • Higher education communications and marketing.
  • News writing, feature writing, editorial standards, and AP Style.
  • Digital communications, WordPress, Constant Contact and Canva.
  • Brand management and institutional messaging.
  • Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling abilities.
  • Strong media relations and relationship-building skills.
  • Excellent interviewing and research skills.
  • Ability to translate complex legal and academic topics into compelling, accessible content.
  • Strong organizational and project management skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills.
  • Strong presentation and verbal communication abilities.
  • Analytical skills to evaluate communications effectiveness using data and metrics.
  • Develop strategic communications plans that advance institutional priorities.
  • Exercise sound judgment in handling sensitive and confidential information.
  • Work independently while managing multiple competing priorities.
  • Build productive relationships with faculty, administrators, students, alumni, journalists, and external partners.
  • Meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Adapt communications for multiple audiences and platforms.
  • Exercise creativity while maintaining institutional voice and brand standards.
  • Respond effectively in high-pressure or rapidly changing situations.
  • Demonstrated excellence in writing, editing, and strategic communications.
  • Experience developing media relations strategies and securing earned media coverage.
  • Experience managing multiple communications projects simultaneously.
  • Experience collaborating with senior leadership and diverse stakeholders.
  • Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, English, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • A minimum of 3 years of experience progressively responsible professional experience in communications, public relations, journalism, media relations, or higher education communications.


Preferred:
  • Experience in communications within higher education, law schools, legal organizations, or nonprofit institutions.
  • Familiarity with legal scholarship and legal education.
  • Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, or similar design tools.
  • Experience using content management systems and email marketing platforms.


Total Rewards

In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.

The expected pay range for this recruitment is $79,200- $90,000 (Annual).

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