SENIOR DIRECTOR OF EMPLOYEE AND LABOR COMMUNICATIONS

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UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

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DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Employee and Labor Communications Department is responsible for strategic, systemwide communications to and about UC's employees, retirees, and key employee stakeholders. The Department ensures clear, consistent, and coordinated communications that improve the employee experience across the UC system and reiterates the value of employment at UC. The Department partners closely with UCOP and Systemwide Human Resources, Labor Relations, UC Legal, and the External Relations and Communications (ER&C) Division, as well as campus and medical center communications teams, to align employee communications with UC's mission, values, and institutional goals.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Communications, the Senior Director of Employee and Labor Communications ("Senior Director") serves as a key member of the Communications leadership team at the UC Office of the President and is the primary architect of the University of California's systemwide employee and labor communications strategy. This role provides executive-level leadership in shaping how the University engages, informs, and builds trust with its workforce in support of the University's teaching, research, and public service mission.

The Senior Director establishes the strategic vision for employee and labor communications across the UC system. As the systemwide authority in this portfolio, the Senior Director designs and advances integrated communications strategies that align with institutional priorities, workforce management, and labor relations objectives. This includes oversight of systemwide and UCOP communications for employees and retirees; communications related to collective bargaining and labor negotiations; employee benefits and HR policy messaging; and coordinated communications during organizational transformation, crisis response, and other high-risk, high-visibility moments.

Operating at the intersection of policy, leadership, and workforce engagement, the Senior Director ensures that communications strategies are proactive, data-informed, and aligned with UC's values and long-term institutional goals. The role provides strategic counsel to senior leadership on reputational risk, employee sentiment, change management, and labor relations dynamics, ensuring communications approaches anticipate impact and advance institutional trust. The Senior Director partners closely with executive leaders across Labor Relations, Human Resources, Legal, ER&C, and campus communications functions to ensure that messaging is consistent, accurate, accessible, and aligned with policy and contractual obligations. Through strong governance, cross-functional alignment, and enterprise-wide coordination, the Senior Director strengthens transparency, reinforces leadership credibility, and elevates the employee experience across one of the nation's largest and most complex public university systems.

This is a hybrid position based in Oakland, California.

Responsibilities

• 30% Employee and Labor Communications Strategy & Issues Management:
  • Develop and execute integrated employee and labor communications strategies that align with institutional goals and reflect the realities of a predominantly unionized workforce operating across a large, decentralized public institution.
  • Lead proactive, responsive, and crisis communications related to labor negotiations, employee issues, organizational changes, and sensitive employee matters.
  • Establish a transparent, predictable framework for labor relations communication, including clear rhythms, accessible explanations of complex topics, and timely factual updates.
  • Anticipate and surface emerging employee and labor issues; develop mitigation strategies to address risk, speculation, or misinformation before issues escalate or impact operations, morale, or reputation.
  • Oversee the development and implementation internal communications plans that support the full employment lifecycle, including recruitment, benefits, negotiations, and retiree engagement.
  • Lead employee communication campaigns focused on benefits, total compensation, workplace safety, professional development, and major employee updates.
  • Coordinate systemwide messaging to ensure employees receive accurate information simultaneously, reinforcing trust and organizational stability.
• 25% Organizational Capability Building and Cross-Functional Alignment:

  • Optimize, lead, and manage the Employee and Labor Communications team, designing durable and scalable systems, structures, and workflows that ensure clarity, consistency, and high-quality service, particularly during periods of heightened complexity or risk.

  • Formalize a cross-functional operating model with HR, Labor Relations, Legal, and ER&C to ensure unity and clarity in employee communications.

  • Partner with systemwide UC Health Communications and with campus and medical center communications teams to provide shared messaging frameworks, narratives, and guidance while allowing for local adaptation.

  • Identify intersections with other Communications teams, Governmental Relations, and UC Health to advance coordinated storytelling and institutional priorities.

  • Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the team.

  • Provide coaching and professional development opportunities for individual team members.

• 25% Employee Experience, Engagement, and Communications Platforms:
  • Modernize and simplify employee communication channels, prioritizing authoritative, accessible platforms that reach all employee groups, including non-desk workers.
  • Lead the transformation of employee communications from reactive, fragmented messaging to a proactive, predictable, and human-centered model, building durable systems, shared narratives, and cross-functional workflows that strengthen trust, mitigate risk, and reinforce UC's mission beyond bargaining cycles.
  • Strengthen two-way engagement by creating structured opportunities for employees to ask questions, share feedback, and surface concerns.
  • Build strong, trust-based relationships with internal stakeholders through clear communication, transparency, and a service-oriented approach.
  • Ensure communications reinforce a unified narrative that highlights the mission-driven work, impact, and shared successes of UC employees beyond bargaining cycles.
• 20% External Issues Management and Media Strategy:
  • Serve as a senior advisor on employee and labor-related media strategy, issues management, and reputational risk.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with key media outlets covering labor and related issues in higher education.
  • Manage and respond to high-volume, deadline-driven media inquiries related to employee and labor issues, including negotiations or labor disputes.
  • Serve as a systemwide spokesperson as needed on employee and labor issues and provide counsel and preparation for senior leaders.
  • Ensure alignment and consistency of external messaging across ER&C, UCOP divisions, and UC locations.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years of experience in strategic communications, internal communications, labor communications, public affairs, or a related field.
• Extensive experience operating in complex, high-pressure environments with constant deadlines and significant reputational risk.
• Expert ability to develop integrated, effective communications strategies for large, complex organizations, bringing an innovative, systems-level perspective while maintaining strong attention to detail and execution.
• Strong understanding of employee dynamics, labor relations, and employee communications in a unionized environment.
• Excellent judgment, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Deep experience providing strategic counsel to senior leaders and navigating politically complex environments.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including editing and message development under tight deadlines.
• Proven ability to build trust and strong working relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Extensive experience serving as an on-the-record spokesperson or supporting high-profile leaders with media engagement.
• Expert-level people management skills with a track record of coaching and developing teams.
• Strong ability to manage competing priorities while balancing immediate response needs with long-term strategy.
• Demonstrated experience with labor relations, HR policy communications, public policy, or higher education.
• Extensive experience in issues management and crisis communications.
• Demonstrated mastery of digital communications platforms and integrated media strategies.
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with the University of California system or large public-sector organizations.
• Experience working in higher education or the public sector.
• Understanding of labor laws and regulations, particularly in California.
• Experience using media and digital tools such as Muck Rack, Slack, Box, and project management platforms.
• Spanish language proficiency is a plus but not required.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field. Equivalent training and experience will be considered.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Job Title
Communications Manager 2

Job Code
000409

Salary Grade
Grade 27

Payscale:
$200,000 - $235,000, commensurate with experience.

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 April 24, 2026. 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.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
  • APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

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.

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