Associate Vice Chancellor, Strategic Communications & Brand Management (Hybrid)

The University of California, Merced 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 salary range the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $140,000 - $180,000.

Please Note: For this position, Driver's License Required Under SB1100.

This position is expected to work from a campus location 4 days per week.

Initial Applicant Review will take place on or around November 9^th, 2026.

Please direct any questions regarding this recruitment to Rmckinneyd2@ucmerced.edu

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and one of the youngest universities to be designated an R1 research university. With approximately 9,600 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced is a smaller, more intimate campus compared to its sister campuses, while equipped and staffed as a cutting edge, 21st century research institution. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships and a growing community in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked in the top 30 among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and #1 for social mobility by the Wall Street Journal, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide world class educational opportunities to dynamic and enterprising students in the Valley and throughout the state. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced has launched a rigorous medical education program that will supply the Valley with culturally competent providers dedicated to improving local access to quality care. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and is accelerating the continued economic development of the region.

Reporting to the Vice Chancellor and Chief External Relations Officer, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications & Brand Management will oversee all campus-wide strategic public relations and marketing, brand management, and internal communications efforts, working in strong collaboration with colleagues in enrollment management, alumni relations, athletics, student affairs, academic affairs, research, protocol and signature events and philanthropy and strategic partnerships areas.

The AVC will be responsible for creating, implementing and sustaining a multi-year strategic public relations, marketing and internal communications program by coordinating and integrating a broad range of public and media relations efforts, brand marketing functions, internal communications, and university programming and signature events. The position provides strategic advice to senior leadership, including the deans of the schools and vice chancellors.

The AVC has significant responsibility, including leading and managing a talented and goal-oriented centralized marketing, public relations, internal communications team, and coordinating with campus partners on other marketing functions, communications activities and signature programming and events throughout the institution. Provides leadership to ensure that long-term goals and objectives of the schools and several divisions are aligned with the teaching, research and public service mission of a preeminent university system. The successful candidate will be recognized as an influencer within External Relations and by campus academic and administrative leadership. Represents UC Merced at UC systemwide meetings and discussions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategy & Advising: Represents the Vice Chancellor with authority to make decisions on high-level task forces and long- and short-range strategic planning as it relates to public relations, marketing, branding and internal communications. Consults directly with senior academic and administrative leadership to achieve solutions with high level stakeholders such as faculty, deans, senior administrators, Office of the President, public agencies and the community to enhance UC Merced's reputation and build strategic regional strategies through public relations, marketing. This includes coordinating efforts with and among campus partners to include the Chancellor and the Provost, Enrollment Management, Student Affairs, Office of Research and Economic Development, Recreation & Athletics, Auxiliary Enterprises, etc. Creates, develops, implements and sustains proactive public relations, earned media and brand strategies that will enable UC Merced to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, high-level external audiences, including the media, prospective students and families, prospective donors, corporations and foundations and key business and community leaders, and other influencers. Serves as a liaison between the Office of the President and UC Merced on executive communications, engagements, and public relations and marketing initiatives. Works with leadership team and staff to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and solutions and define and execute appropriate strategies to support key initiatives. Inspires creative thinking and fosters solutions-oriented problem solving. Prioritize strategic initiatives and projects that will impact the campus and institutional reputation and overall brand while providing leadership for institutional brand strategy and governance. Measures and monitors progress toward achievement of the organization's strategic initiatives, utilizing market research and analytics to drive decision making. Leads planning for and responds to institutional crises and emerging issues.

Public Relations, Brand Marketing, Internal Communications Management: Establishes staff performance and development goals, including performance metrics and accountability. Promotes a culture of high performance, teamwork, collaboration and continuous improvement through learning. Mentors staff. Works collaboratively with subject matter experts throughout the university to design frameworks and strategies around shared responsibility for content development. Ensures a high quality of varied and integrated marketing, communications and event products and services including brand building, print and digital publications, websites, and multi-media, social and other media align with institutional priorities. Sets priorities with input and buy-in from key internal partners, including deans and vice chancellors. Exercises judgment to prioritize new opportunities as they arise. Works collaboratively with and across divisions, schools and subject matter experts to create frameworks and strategies for shared responsibility for content development; works with academic and administrative leaders to identify and achieve marketing and messaging goals. Oversees the operational budget and staffing plan for public relations, marketing, internal communications, and associated programming.

*LI-RM1

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations or related field; and
• Advanced degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations or related field (preferred);
• Ten years of related experience with 5 years in a senior management role either in-house or with an agency (required); and
• Experience in a non-profit educational or cultural setting (preferred); and
• Valid CA Driver's License (required).
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of all aspects of communications, including strategic planning for various media venues, technical aspects and requirements of various venues, and the most appropriate and effective applications.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of technical applications including design concepts, various media and mediums, applications, etc. to effectively manage/supervise professional technical staff.
• Thorough knowledge of the location, including its mission, vision, goals, policies, and infrastructure; strong knowledge of current affairs and issues in higher education and/or health sciences.
• Excellent skills to create, develop and implement long and short-term strategic communications plans and brand awareness plans.
• Excellent skills to advise and consult management on all aspects of communications and branding, ranging from developing effective communications and branding strategies to appropriately responding to inquiries regarding sensitive or complex issues or information.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal communications, active listening political acumen skills.
• Excellent knowledge and skills in financial and personnel administration and management.
• Excellent management skills to select, train, manage, motivate and evaluate professional communications and branding team to produce high-quality work; skill to take corrective action
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, project management and problem recognition, avoidance and resolution skills.
• Excellent skills to ensure production of high-quality work within budget and time constraints.

Background check required.

The incumbent will be required to participate in the DMV "Pull" program.

How to Apply:
An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

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 categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/