Your Role on the TeamUnder the general direction of the Senior Director for Communications & Special Events, the Communications Specialist independently oversees comprehensive communications strategies and programs for UC Irvine Human Resources. The role is both hands-on and strategic, requiring a wide variety of communications media, including written, visual, digital, and electronic, and associated technical applications. The incumbent works with management to develop and execute organizational communication and market branding strategy for a highly visible program, and works closely with stakeholders to understand their business, diagnose communication challenges and opportunities, and define holistic campaigns that accomplish strategic objectives.
On a hands-on basis, the Communications Specialist independently authors and edits organizational messages and communications, produces and distributes enterprise-wide communications through ZotMail, UC Irvine's institutional communication platform, and designs and formats newsletters and other publications for internal and external audiences. The incumbent applies graphic design skills to develop visually compelling materials that align with UC Irvine's brand standards and HR's communication objectives.
At the project and program level, the Communications Specialist oversees the work of external contractors and vendors, ensuring deliverables meet quality standards, timelines, and strategic goals. This role serves as a trusted partner and subject matter expert, working closely with HR leadership, management, and key stakeholders across the institution to understand business needs, diagnose communication challenges and opportunities, and crystallize clear, compelling key messages. The incumbent leads the design and execution of holistic, integrated communication campaigns spanning written, visual, digital, and electronic media to advance the department's strategic objectives.
The Communications Specialist partners with management to develop and execute organizational communication and market branding strategies for a highly visible program, ensuring consistent, cohesive, and impactful messaging across all channels and audiences. This position requires a high degree of independent judgment, creativity, and initiative, balancing direct production responsibilities with strategic oversight to support UC Irvine Human Resources' mission and goals.
The incumbent also plays a key role in co-producing major tentpole events in partnership with the Senior Director, including the annual UC Irvine Service Awards held every June, as well as other events scheduled throughout the year. This requires close coordination, project management, and the ability to bring together communications, logistics, and stakeholder engagement to deliver high-profile, institution-wide experiences.
In the absence of the Senior Director, the Communications Specialist serves as the acting lead for all communications functions, demonstrating the seniority, breadth of knowledge, and independent judgment required to maintain continuity and leadership across the full scope of the department's communications activities. This position requires a high degree of creativity and initiative, balancing direct production responsibilities with strategic oversight to support UC Irvine Human Resources' mission and goals.
What It Takes to be SuccessfulRequired:- Advanced knowledge and understanding of all aspects of communications, including strategic planning for various media, technical aspects and requirements of various media and most appropriate and effective applications.
- Advanced knowledge and understanding of technical applications to direct professional technical staff, or personally perform technical work, including design concepts, various media, and applications.
- Advanced knowledge of the organization, including its mission, vision, goals, policies, and infrastructure; strong knowledge of current affairs and issues in higher education, health sciences, and healthcare.
- Advanced skills to create, develop, and implement long and short term strategic communication plans.
- Advanced skills to advise and consult management on all aspects of communications, ranging from developing effective communication strategies to appropriately responding to inquiries regarding sensitive or complex issues or information.
- Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal communications, active listening and political acumen skills.
- Excellent analytical, critical thinking, project management, and problem recognition, avoidance, and resolution skills.
- Thorough knowledge of location protocols and channels for communication internally and externally.
- Demonstrated skill in independently analyzing situations, interpreting data, defining problems and/or objectives, identifying relevant factors, developing alternative solutions, making final recommendations, implementing and evaluating the results.
- Demonstrated event production or significant co-production experience.
- Expert level experience with MS Office suite (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook)
- Expert level experience with MailChimp and Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat)
- Professional level graphic design experience for web pages, e-newsletters, e-digests, and digital and print materials (flyers, posters, graphics, highlights, icons, etc.)
- Working knowledge of web coding (HTML, CSS, WordPress, Cascade) for web updates.
- Working knowledge of social media platforms (Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, X, YouTube, Spotify, Flickr) to develop strategy, manage accounts, and schedule campaigns.
- Accessibility compliance expertise: WCAG 2.1 AA Standards and SiteImprove platform management
- Experience with social media analytics platforms (Google Analytics)
- Bachelor's degree in a communications-focused field such as, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related discipline or equivalent experience/training (minimum of 7 years)
- Minimum 7 years of comparable experience
Preferred:- Strong business acumen in human resources and higher education.
- Knowledge of UCI-specific technology (ZotMail)
Special Conditions:- This position may be required to report at different work sites between the campus in Irvine and various UCI Health locations throughout Orange and South Los Angeles Counties. The incumbent must be able to provide their own means of transportation to/from work locations.
- Hybrid Schedule of three days onsite and two days remote
Total RewardsIn 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 $100,100- $143,800 (Annual).
