Director of Communications, School of Social Welfare (6401C) 87273 About Berkeley
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Departmental Overview
Berkeley Social Welfare is one of the nation's leading social work graduate programs. As part of the world's top ranked public university, the School of Social Welfare is producing new knowledge for the common good and training the next generation of social work thought leaders dedicated to serving society's most vulnerable members. Known for combining rigorous scholarship with outstanding education, the School of Social Welfare offers MSW and PhD programs as well as an undergraduate major. Since 1944, the School has prepared nearly 12,000 social work professionals for leadership positions in the public and nonprofit human service sectors. Berkeley Social Welfare graduates are dedicated to meeting the growing needs of marginalized, underserved and other vulnerable populations.
Position Summary
This role spans internal and external communications - from translating the strategic plan into messaging that builds faculty alignment, to positioning SSW research on institutional channels and in external media.
The position reports administratively to the Assistant Dean of the School of Social Welfare and receives professional direction from the Executive Director of News & Media Relations in UC Berkeley Strategic Communications. This structure makes the role part of the Strategic Communications team while keeping it accountable to school leadership on content and priorities.
The ideal candidate develops and implements a strategic narrative and communications plan that integrates internal messaging, external positioning, donor outreach, and recruitment. They operate independently but want to be part of a larger communications community. They care about child welfare, health equity, housing, and community mental health - and can communicate thoughtfully about race, identity, and systemic inequality
This hybrid position requires a minimum of 80% on-campus presence, with a higher on-campus presence during the first six months to support relationship-building within the School.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is July 20, 2026. For full consideration, please apply by the first review date.
Responsibilities
Strategic & Internal Communications
Develop and maintain core messaging that articulates the school's identity, direction and value proposition - including differentiation from peer programs.
Translate strategic plan priorities into accessible narratives for faculty, staff, students and alumni.
Support internal change communications as the school evolves programs, structure and curriculum.
Manage school's internal communications program, including digital signboards, announcements and regular updates to faculty and staff.
Draft talking points, remarks and written materials for the dean and school leadership.
Compile and produce regular strategic plan progress reports in partnership with school leadership.
Develop messaging frameworks for faculty retreats and strategic planning sessions.
Monitor school reputation across social media, earned media and internal channels; flag issues and opportunities.
Attend and document events that advance strategic narratives about the school, including occasional evening and weekend work.
Institutional Storytelling & Strategic Communications Partnership
Identify, pitch and develop SSW faculty research stories for institutional channels, including UC Berkeley News, social media and video.
Partner with faculty and dean to define research theme clusters that connect SSW scholarship to institutional narrative priorities.
Participate in Strategic Comms content planning meetings and coordination processes.
Support institutional campaigns (e.g., Research with Results) with relevant SSW content.
Manage media inquiries for SSW faculty expert requests.
Ensure school materials align with institutional brand and messaging priorities.
School Communications & Content Production
Maintain school web properties and content to advance institutional narrative to external audiences and provide accurate, relevant information to internal audiences.
Maintain active social media presence across LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Produce 2-4 electronic newsletters annually; coordinate occasional print communications for alumni and donors.
Develop recruitment and yield materials in partnership with the Admissions, Advising and Student Experience team.
Maintain the school's photo and video library.
Create materials for national conferences, donor meetings and external presentations.
Ensure consistent application of school and university brand standards across all channels.
Serve as the school's Information Technology Accessibility Lead, ensuring digital communications meet campus accessibility requirements and best practices.
Professional Development
Maintain currency with emerging communications trends and best practices, including monitoring peer schools of social work for approaches worth adopting.
Coordinate with communicators in other schools and colleges with similar goals.
Activating Resources
Serve as primary liaison between SSW and Strategic Comms for communications support.
Manage external vendors and contractors for projects requiring specialized expertise.
Integrate Strategic Communications tools and systems into school communications workflows.
Other Duties As Assigned
Support school and Strategic Communications initiatives as needs arise.
Contribute to cross-functional projects that advance school or institutional priorities.
Required Qualifications
Demonstrated ability to translate complex information - research, policy, strategy - into clear narratives for diverse audiences.
Strong writing and editing skills across formats: web, social media, newsletters, talking points, presentations.
Ability to navigate and communicate complex issues related to race, ethnicity, gender, ability and other intersectional topics.
Experience managing multiple projects and competing priorities with limited supervision.
Comfort operating in ambiguous environments and adapting to evolving priorities.
Proficiency with social media platforms and analytics (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook).
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with faculty, leadership and communications colleagues.
Demonstrated excellence in problem identification and resolution, sound judgment and decision-making, critical thinking/analysis, risk management, negotiation, creative problem solving, and organizational skill.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, objectivity, sensitivity, discretion, professionalism, and exercise good judgment and tact.
Genuine interest in social welfare, public health, housing, child welfare or related policy areas.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with website content management systems.
Experience with email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Marketing Cloud).
Experience with reputation monitoring tools.
Experience coordinating vendors for photography, video or design.
Familiarity with accessibility standards for digital communications.
Understanding of and/or ability to learn about higher education environment, including faculty culture and academic communications.
Experience supporting internal change management or strategic planning communications
Education / Training
Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related field, and/or equivalent training or experience. (Required)
Demonstrated experience in communications, preferably in higher education, nonprofit, or mission-driven organization and/or equivalent training or experience. (Required)
Salary & Benefits
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. 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, analysis of internal equity, 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 budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $120,000.00 - $151,000.00.
This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.
