Senior Communications and Media Relations Manager - 129663

This position will work a hybrid schedule which includes a combination of working both onsite on Campus and remote.

UC San Diego Health Sciences is a multibillion-dollar organization that comprises three professional schools, two hospitals, 20+ graduate degree programs, and 90+ core facilities and research units all working toward fulfilling its tripartite mission. Led by the Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences, it accounts for the majority of the University's research and philanthropic portfolios, in addition to an expanding clinical footprint that spans the San Diego region. With more than 1,700 faculty and 17,000 staff, the Health Sciences is home to nationally recognized academic and clinical programs and has been identified as one of the premier biomedical research institutions in the world. As a top-ranking, future oriented organization, UC San Diego Health Sciences offers challenging career opportunities in a fast-paced and innovative environment. The Vice Chancellor's Office follows a progressive philosophy of career-path development for its employees.

Working both independently and in collaboration with communications professionals across the health sciences and broader university, this position supports research communications and storytelling efforts, crafting articles for internal web and print publications, responding to media inquiries, monitoring public perceptions, developing or pursuing news opportunities for UC San Diego Health Sciences and generating positive, proactive media coverage of one of the nation's premier public research universities.

This is a writing-intensive position, requiring comprehensive journalistic skills and superb explanatory powers demonstrable across diverse mediums such as news releases, news features, media advisories, blog posts, social media, magazine articles, videos and podcasts. The Senior Communications and Media Relations Manager will provide analysis and information on complex results or activities, search out and write stories, conduct interviews, set up press conferences, and arrange for photography, video, or graphics to accompany news releases and feature stories.

The primary work focus is describing research emerging from UC San Diego Health Sciences, including its three professional schools and numerous institutes and centers. Subject matter covers both basic and translational science, and will involve extensive collaboration with colleagues at UC San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Medicine, UC San Diego Health and communications colleagues across campus.

This position is housed within the office of the Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences at UC San Diego and reports to the Executive Director of Health Sciences Strategic Communications. As such, the jobholder is an active participant in departmental and larger discussions and planning related to media relations, content strategy and communications across all Health Sciences entities.

• Seven (7) years of related experience or a Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training. Education/training in writing and/or communicating health sciences or research topics plus three (3) years of related experience.

• Thorough knowledge of the concepts and principles of news, media communications and media relations.

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

• Thorough knowledge of the location, its achievements, mission, vision, goals, objectives, programs and infrastructure.

• May require knowledge of specialty areas such as broadcast news including TV / radio, internet and other emerging technologies.

• Thorough 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.

• Good judgment, political acumen, and thorough organizational skills.

• Skill to maintain confidentiality.

• Experience and proven success in principles, practices, concepts and technical requirements in news, media communications and media relations.

• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit .

UC San Diego is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit:
For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit:

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit for more information.