Content and Communications Strategist

San Francisco, CA

Full Time

About the role

The Content and Communications Strategist independently oversees a comprehensive communications program for a unit or school with moderately complex communications requirements. The communications program usually includes written, visual, digital and electronic communications. Works with management to develop and execute organizational communication and market branding strategy. Designs and implements information campaigns.

They support the day-to-day operations and production needs of the Department of Surgery Office of Communications. They assist with drafting, preparing, organizing, and distributing communications materials across digital, print, social media, web, and multimedia platforms in support of departmental priorities and initiatives.

Under the guidance of the Director of Communications, the strategist coordinates communications workflows, supports content development and publication, assists with event communications coverage, maintains communications archives and systems, and helps manage routine departmental communications requests. They work collaboratively with faculty, trainees, administrators, and departmental staff to gather information, coordinate materials, and support communications-related projects.

The role requires strong writing, organizational, and project coordination skills, attention to detail, professionalism, and the ability to manage multiple assignments in a fast-paced academic medical environment. They're expected to exercise sound judgment in managing routine communications tasks while referring sensitive, reputational, media-related, or strategic communications matters to the Director of Communications.

Department Overview

The UCSF Department of Surgery is one of the nation’s leading academic surgery departments, providing advanced surgical care, education, and research across 11 divisions and 12 clinical specialties through UCSF Health, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, the San Francisco VA Health Care System, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, and regional partner sites throughout the Bay Area.

The Department supports the work of approximately 155 faculty members, 287 staff, academic staff, and postdoctoral scholars, as well as 148 residents, fellows, and trainees across its educational programs. Through nationally recognized clinical programs, multidisciplinary research initiatives, and comprehensive surgical training, the Department of Surgery is committed to advancing innovation, improving patient outcomes, and shaping the future of surgical care through excellence in academic medicine.

Key Responsibilities

List key functions and the estimated percentage of time spent performing each of the responsibilities. Indicate which responsibilities are considered "Essential" to the successful performance of the job as defined by the EEOC: “Essential functions are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform. You should carefully examine each job to determine which functions or tasks are essential to performance.”

of time

Essential Function (Yes/No)

Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)

Yes

Works with DoS leadership and key stakeholders to create, develop, and implement long- and short-term strategic communications plans and / or projects.

Content Development + Editorial Support

Drafts and prepares departmental communications materials including announcements, newsletters, event coverage, presentations, web copy, and faculty-related content.
Provide proofreading, formatting, editing, and preparing materials for publication and distribution.
Coordinates editorial timelines, content submissions, and approvals for communications projects.
Ensures communications materials align with departmental formatting, messaging, and brand standards.
Determines appropriate formatting, scheduling, and distribution methods for routine communications materials.
Work in resolving workflow or scheduling conflicts related to communications production timelines and departmental requests.

Yes

Manages comprehensive communications programs, including written, visual, digital, and electronic communications.

Responsible for assisting with the development and distribution of written, visual, digital, and electronic communications that support departmental initiatives, faculty activities, events, education, research, and institutional priorities.

Coordinates communications workflows, supports content development and publication,

Under the guidance of the Director of Communications, manage routine departmental communications requests.

Support communications workflows across departmental platforms.

Ensures communications materials are accurate, timely, organized, and aligned with UCSF brand and editorial standards.

Digital + Social Media Support

Assists with maintaining departmental social media platforms and scheduling approved content.
Supports website updates and digital publishing workflows.

Monitors basic engagement metrics and assists with compiling analytics reports.

Helps organize and maintain digital communications assets and archives.

Yes

Advises and consults with departmental / college administration regarding all aspects of communications including developing strong communications strategies that effectively deliver the desired message, policy interpretation, and problem resolution.

Administrative + Operational Communications Support

Coordinates communications-related requests, deadlines, and project tracking.
Maintains communications calendars, contact lists, archives, and organizational files.
Assists with distribution of departmental communications and internal announcements.
Supports day-to-day operational and production needs of the Office of Communications.
Works collaboratively with faculty, trainees, administrators, and departmental staff to gather information, coordinate materials, and support communications-related projects.

Yes

Ensures production of high quality products that effectively deliver the desired message within budget and time constraints.

Event + Multimedia Coordination

Provide communications support for departmental events, lectures, ceremonies, and institutional programs.

Coordinates photography, video, and multimedia needs as assigned.

Organize and maintain photo libraries, consent documentation, and media assets.

Yes

General Departmental Communications Support

Provides additional communications and project support as assigned by departmental communications leadership.
Assists with special projects, institutional initiatives, and departmental communications priorities as needed.

Identifies specific communications needs and develops the content and process for organizational improvements.

Identifies process inefficiencies related to communications organization, asset management, or content coordination and recommends operational improvements.

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%.)

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
Minimum 3 years of relevant experience.
Knowledge of all aspects of communications, including strategic planning for various media venues, technical aspects and requirements of various venues, and most appropriate and effective applications.
Knowledge and understanding of technical applications to effectively direct technical staff, or personally perform technical work, including design concepts, various media, and applications.
Knowledge of the organization, its achievements, mission, vision, goals, policies, practices, infrastructure, and a strong knowledge of current affairs, and issues in higher education and / or health sciences.
Solid skills to create, develop, and implement comprehensive long and short term strategic communications plans.
Knowledge and skills to advise and consult with management to ensure delivery of the desired message to the target and / or broad general audiences.
Solid written, verbal, interpersonal communications, active listening and political acumen skills.
Knowledge of location protocols and channels for communication internally and externally.
Demonstrated experience with Drupal website development.
Demonstrated experience with social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.).