Senior Public Information Representative

Job Description

Job Summary

Please note that this is a hybrid role requiring regular in-person attendance in both San Francisco and Oakland. The position requires onsite work three days per week.

Salary Range: $101,300–$216,700

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 approximately 3,900 faculty members, with responsibility for managing those relationships and 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.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Minimum of 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 the 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

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 University of California system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world’s leading experts in nearly every area of health and 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 up 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.

Learn more about UCSF’s mission and values:

https://www.ucsf.edu/about/mission-and-values

UCSF is committed to equity in both how we deliver care and how we build our workforce. We are committed to fostering a broadly diverse community, nurturing a welcoming and supportive culture, and embracing diverse ideas to provide culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care.

Additional information about diversity at UCSF is available at:

https://diversity.ucsf.edu/

Join us to build a rewarding career while contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.

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 any other protected status under state or federal law.

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