DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY

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Job ID

80706

Location

Oakland

Full / Part Time

Full Time

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UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

The University of California Office of the President serves as the headquarters to a system of 10 campuses, six academic health centers, and three affiliated national laboratories. As one of the largest and most acclaimed institutions of higher learning in the world, UC is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and public service. Together, we educate nearly 300,000 students, employ 266,000 faculty and staff, and have 2 million alumni living and working around the world.

Learn more about the UC Office of the President

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Social Media unit helps showcase the University of California's impact and value to the state and the nation through compelling social media content on a variety of platforms. In collaboration with others, the team supports strategic messaging and advocacy efforts on behalf of the University to the general public, elected officials, news media, and the greater UC community.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Senior Director of External Engagement, the Director of Social Media Strategy ("Director") manages a team consisting of a social media manager, contractors, and interns responsible for the University's systemwide social media presence and voice. The Director develops and implements effective, innovative, and cost-effective social media strategies that support sustained outreach to broad audiences (including news media, elected officials, the general public, and the greater UC community) and builds affinity and understanding of the University of California. The Director advises External Relations and Communications (ER&C) leaders and other university colleagues on how best to utilize social media platforms and strategies, including paid advertising and promotion, to advance the University's messaging goals, particularly around rapid response and advocacy. The Director routinely assesses, measures, and reports on the effectiveness of these strategies and results of campaigns and projects, aiming to improve the reach and impact of this work. The Director also convenes, supports, and provides guidance to social media professionals across the UC system as needed.

Responsibilities

• 30% Strategy and coordination : In collaboration with division leadership and colleagues, leads the development and implementation of creative and effective social media strategies, plans, and initiatives that develop and grow new audiences for UC content on core social media accounts (including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, as well as new and emerging platforms as appropriate); Leads strategic planning for the team and facilitates advance collaboration with colleagues across ER&C and the UC system through the development of short- and long-term social media content calendars; Collaborates with in-house and external content teams to create, adapt, and optimize social media and paid content; Coordinates social media efforts and supports social media needs for other UCOP Communications teams, including those focused on labor and employee communications, media relations, executive communications and advocacy.; Provides strategic advice and guidance on the use of paid / boosted content and advertising on social media; works with Digital, Creative, and Multimedia colleagues or outside professionals to create graphics, videos, and other visual assets for paid content; Guides strategy and supports implementation of efforts to build and protect UC's brand and promote affinity for UC with the general public through appropriate social media channels; Continually assesses the effectiveness of existing and emerging social media platforms, adjusting the University's approach and strategy as appropriate; Develops and maintains relationships with social media leaders and professionals across the University of California; serves as a convenor and provides guidance and support regarding systemwide social media practices, messaging, and strategies.
• 30% Rapid Response : Supports and contributes to division- and UCOP-wide rapid response efforts as they relate to social media, helping the university quickly respond to crises, unfolding events, or new trends; Assesses opportunities and realigns resources to support social media content addressing breaking news and providing key audiences with relevant information, dispelling misinformation, and advancing UC's position on key issues; Implements and manages a comprehensive approach to social media listening and tracking, elevating issues of concern in real time.
• 25% Advocacy : Collaborates closely with UC's State and Federal Governmental Relations teams to craft social media strategies in support of the University's advocacy priorities through the UC Advocacy Network (UCAN); Working with State and Federal GR teams, assists in managing advocacy-focused social media channels; In collaboration with Digital, Creative, and Multimedia colleagues or outside professionals, creates compelling graphics, videos, and other visual assets to support effective advocacy communications on social platforms.
• 15% Team Leadership : Manages senior social media manager and provides strategic direction to them and to contractors and interns utilized by the team. Hires, trains, coaches, and motivates team members, with an emphasis on leading through change; Supervises the development and distribution of regular content for the University's social channels, with an emphasis on content that supports government relations, advocacy, media outreach, and rapid response needs; Ensures the team is closely aligned with the overarching priorities and needs of the UCOP Communications Department, ER&C, and UC as a whole by setting clear and aligned objectives and key results; Regularly tracks and assesses the effectiveness and impact of programs, projects, and practices executed by the Social Media team using data and metrics; determines benchmarks, adjusting tactics when necessary and optimizing budget and return / efficiency of spend; develops a monthly practice of clear and concise metrics reporting to senior leadership; Works with the Senior Director of External Engagement, the AVP and Deputy for Communications, and ER&C's Director of Finance and Administration to carefully manage department resources, including the use of contractors and interns as needed, to optimize work, resource use, and project delivery; Strengthens team structure, processes, and skills to support the organization's needs, ensuring the team has the tools and training they need to succeed and is utilizing them effectively; Identifies and supports opportunities for staff development and cross-training and other duties and special projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

Education

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Job Title

Communications Manager 1

Job Code

000408

Salary Grade

Grade 25

Payscale : $150,000 - $170,000

The University of California, Office of the President, is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range shows the growth potential for this position and the pay scale is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position.

Benefits : For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit : Benefits of Belonging

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HOW TO APPLY

Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The first review date for this job is September 16, 2025 . The position will be open until filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check Process : Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position. Background check process at UCOP

Smoke Free Work Environment : The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014. UC Smoke & Tobacco Free Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs , as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

EEO STATEMENT

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

The University of California, Office of the President, strives to make this job board accessible to any and all users. If you have comments regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us at : Accessibility or email the Human Resource Department at : epost@ucop.edu .