Senior Public Information Representative

Job Description

Please note that this is a HYBRID work role with a regular in-person requirement in San Francisco and Oakland

UC San Francisco (UCSF) Public Affairs seeks a seasoned health and science communicator and collaborative team member to join our team as a Senior Public Information Representative (SPIR) supporting UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals (BCH).

UCSF is one of the world’s leading health sciences universities, with top-ranked programs in biomedical research, education, and clinical care. UCSF Health, including UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals in San Francisco and Oakland, is nationally recognized for excellence in pediatric care and its commitment to serving diverse and underserved communities.

The SPIR plays a key strategic role in advancing BCH’s reputation and visibility by developing and leading proactive media relations strategies and comprehensive communications campaigns. This individual identifies high-impact storytelling opportunities aligned with institutional priorities and ensures consistent, strategic positioning across earned and owned media channels.

The SPIR serves as a trusted advisor to faculty, clinicians, and senior leadership, providing counsel on media engagement, message development, and reputational risk. This includes preparing spokespeople for media interactions and advising on communications approaches for complex or sensitive issues.

This role requires a high degree of independence and judgment. The SPIR anticipates emerging issues, evaluates reputational opportunities and risks, and develops proactive communications strategies to address them. The individual collaborates across UCSF Public Affairs, Marketing, Health Communications, and other internal teams to align messaging and maximize impact.

The SPIR communicates through a range of formats, including news releases, feature stories, media pitches, talking points, and multimedia content, translating complex medical and scientific information into clear, compelling language for diverse audiences.

The Office of Communications actively supports UCSF’s PRIDE Values of Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity & Excellence. Candidates representing California’s diverse communities are encouraged to apply.

Department Summary

As UCSF’s enterprise communications team, the Office of Communications (OC) provides comprehensive and coordinated leadership in planning, creating, and implementing integrated strategies across all media to foster increased awareness and support of UCSF’s mission, vision, accomplishments and strategic priorities among its diverse internal and external constituencies. Its Public Affairs team serves as the official voice of UCSF to regional, state, national, and international news media.

UCSF Public Affairs is dedicated to supporting UCSF’s enterprise strategic goals and communicating UCSF’s excellence across the breadth of its mission through traditional and evolving news media, as well as our own channels. The team serves as the front line for media and as the primary external communications liaison with UCSF’s ~3,900 faculty members, with responsibility for managing those relationships and for guiding them in promoting their work. Public Affairs is a dynamic and collaborative team, made up of bright, talented, motivated colleagues who bring a variety of communications skills to their roles and provide significant support to one another.

Responsibilities

%

of time

Essential Function (Yes/No)

Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)

35

Yes

Strategic Media Leadership

Lead the development and execution of strategic media relations plans and comprehensive communications campaigns for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals.

• Develop proactive media strategies aligned with institutional priorities, brand positioning, and business objectives
• Identify, prioritize, and advance high-impact storytelling opportunities
• Ensure media placements and messaging align with UCSF enterprise goals
• Oversee development of major stories and campaigns to enhance national and regional visibility

25 Yes

Complex and Sensitive Communications

Independently manage complex, sensitive, and high-profile media issues.

• Develop and execute communications strategies for controversial or high-risk topics
• Provide strategic counsel to faculty, clinicians, and leadership on media engagement and messaging
• Prepare spokespeople for interviews and public-facing opportunities
• Lead development of messaging frameworks and oversee communications materials across platforms

20 Yes

Media Relations and Execution

Direct and manage media engagement strategies to secure impactful coverage.

• Cultivate and manage relationships with key local, regional, and national media
• Strategically pitch stories and secure placements aligned with institutional priorities
• Oversee media interactions, including high-profile interviews and on-site coverage
• Ensure coordination across teams for integrated communications efforts

5 Yes

Crisis & On-Call Communications

Serve as a key communications resource during crises or emergency situations.

• Participate in on-call rotation as scheduled and needed
• Contribute to institutional response strategies
• Provide timely, strategic guidance on media engagement during urgent situations

5 Yes

Stakeholder Relationships

Develop and maintain high-level relationships across the organization and externally.

• Partner with faculty, clinicians, and leadership to identify communications opportunities
• Build relationships with national and trade media to enhance UCSF’s visibility
• Anticipate reputational risks and opportunities and proactively develop communications strategies

5 Yes

Analytics & Reporting

Evaluate and optimize communications effectiveness.

• Monitor and analyze media coverage and campaign performance
• Use metrics and insights to refine strategies and improve outcomes
• Report on results and impact to stakeholders

5 Yes

Confidentiality

Maintains strict confidentiality in times of crises.

• May be called upon to serve with others in the Office of Communications in providing emergency response communications during times of crises.

100% (To update total %, enter the amount of time in whole numbers (without the % symbol - e.g., 15, 20) then highlight the total sum (e.g., 1%) at the bottom of the column and press F9. The total sum should add up to 100%.)

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related field
• Minimum 5+ years of relevant experience in media relations, journalism, or strategic communications
• Experience using digital and social media platforms to amplify communications efforts
• Experience managing complex, high-visibility communications initiatives
• Advanced knowledge of media communications, media relations, and strategic communications planning
• Demonstrated success developing and executing communications strategies with measurable outcomes
• Advanced verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Advanced judgment, analytical, and decision-making skills, including navigating sensitive issues
• Ability to advise senior leadership and influence communications strategy
• Strong organizational and project management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of autonomy

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience
• Established network of national and regional media contacts

About UCSF

ABOUT US

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world’s leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.

Pride Values

UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence – also known as our PRIDE values .

In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity – both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available here .

Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.

Salary Information

The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.

Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.

To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html