Head of Strategic Communications and Marketing

This position is responsible for overseeing strategic communications for the Lawrence Hall of Science. This includes planning, development, implementation and oversight of a strategic, comprehensive, and coordinated approach to communications, marketing, advertising, media relations, and public relations. The incumbent will also be responsible for budget, management, and supervision of the Strategic Communications Team. The position is accountable for ensuring that we achieve applicable sales, engagement, and messaging targets and goals. The position supports the strategic communications and marketing needs of various programmatic activities in a complex organization that serves a diverse array of audiences and stakeholders and pursues various goals with sometimes competing timelines.

This position fills a critical senior leadership role within The Lawrence Hall of Science and reports directly to the Director. We seek a skilled and creative leader, manager, and supervisor who will work collaboratively and productively with other senior organizational leaders to advance our mission and fiscal health. We are seeking candidates who have demonstrated capacity to create inclusive work environments, work effectively on diverse teams, and serve the diverse communities with whom we currently work and want to attract. We are committed to hiring and retaining racially and gender diverse, culturally competent leaders at all levels of the organization who reflect the demographics of our community and continually deepen their skills and competencies.

This is a one-year, full-time, renewable contract position eligible for full UC benefits.

Strategic Communications Leadership & Strategy

Comprehensive Communications Strategy and Plan: Provide leadership, vision and strategic direction for a comprehensive Lawrence Hall of Science communications strategy and plan that includes public relations, audience and stakeholder engagement, media relations and marketing. Create, lead, and manage implementation of overarching strategy and plan. Oversee development of communications priorities and materials in support of Lawrence Hall of Science, aligning messaging and other communications activities across the organization. Ensure that communications activities are culturally relevant. In consultation with Executive Leaders and Team Heads, set overall goals for each year and works with professional staff across the organization to create a plan and calendar of activities. 

Program Alignment and Consultation: Work with internal and external clients and partners to identify, create, develop, and implement long and short-term strategic communications plans and/or projects. Analyze communications needs of programs and initiatives and builds alignment of communications channels across the organization. Advise and consult with departmental administration regarding all aspects of communications, including developing strong communications strategies that effectively deliver the desired message, policy interpretation, problem resolution, etc.; 

Lawrence Leadership: Serve as a member of The Lawrence’s Resource Generation Leadership Team, which works with the Director to develop and implement strategy and infrastructure for generating resources for The Lawrence in ways that advance our mission. Coordinate activities of staff team members who are not direct reports to meet defined objectives for team activities such as marketing campaign rollouts, events, membership and fundraising campaigns, etc. where a cross section of academic and professional staff members participate towards achieving a specific goal. Keep Director and key stakeholders fully informed on status of major communications programs and plans and oversees the preparation of materials related to these activities. Coordinates with campus departments as needed to achieve unit goals.

Professional Learning: Embrace the mindset of being part of a learning organization by sharing expertise with colleagues and engaging in opportunities for their own professional learning through training, workshops, seminars, continuing education pertinent to the position or at the suggestion of the supervisor. 

Marketing Strategy and Revenue Achievement

Marketing Strategy: Lead the creation and implementation of a comprehensive organizational marketing strategy that is culturally relevant and addresses the needs of both English and Spanish-speaking audiences. Work collaboratively with Executive Directors and Heads of Resource Generation Teams to: (1) identify marketing/ communication needs and strategies in service of meeting budgeted revenue targets and (2) identify roles and responsibilities of Strategic Communications staff and/or others across The Lawrence for plan implementation. Build plans that are deadline driven and account for appropriate lead time to ensure marketing messages are in the market for an appropriate amount of time. Create, maintain and monitor a budget for marketing efforts, including media spends aligned to revenue targets and goals. Ensure the collection and use of relevant audience and market data to shape approach and track results.

Revenue Achievement: Ensure budgeted revenue targets and goals are met for admissions, attractions, group sales, events, rentals, products, and services. Work with program and sales staff to achieve relevant targets and goals. Support Strategic Communication staff on the monitoring of these targets to track progress towards goals. Track key Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure revenue maximization.

Management and Supervision of Strategic Communications Team

Management: Oversee communications, marketing, web, and social media teams to  implement comprehensive organizational communications programs and/or projects. Ensures production of quality products that effectively deliver the desired message within budget and time constraints. Oversees any communications/marketing partners and/or vendors with whom we work to implement our communication strategy and plan.

Supervision: Select, train, guide, supervise, direct, evaluate, and, as required, take corrective action with professional and support staff responsible for producing various communication pieces in various venues or mediums, including written, visual or electronic communications, to meet organizational goals. Develop performance metrics and provide expert advice, mentoring, and ongoing feedback to staff members to ensure successful completion of goals. Actively support staff growth and professional development, and departmental commitment to equity and diversity.

Brand and Reputation Management 

Brand Management: Continue implementation of The Lawrence’s brand. Plan for, create and disseminate new materials that strengthen brand awareness with key audiences (e.g. customers, partners, policymakers, funders), with an emphasis on consistent communication of the impact of all Lawrence Hall of Science work. Ensure that our brand promise and related aesthetic remains compelling and relevant for our prioritized audiences, partners and funders. Oversee the development and creation of an annual impact report.

Reputation Management: Advance the positive reputation of The Lawrence through creation and development of comprehensive communications strategy. Identify effective communications channels for key audiences and stakeholders. Ensure that The Lawrence staff uses them effectively to advance our brand and reputation. Act as a media representative and/or  the point- of-contact for media as assigned. As appropriate, may speak on behalf of The Lawrence (or connect media to other senior staff, such as the Director, as appropriate), meet with press, other media, or UC organizational representatives (including UC Berkeley and University of California Office of the President Communications, Public Affairs, and Government and Community Relations).

Enhance Effectiveness of Lawrence Leaders: Prepares academic and program leaders who are not familiar with marketing and communications techniques to communicate strategically, interact with the press and other media, when appropriate, and execute marketing and communications efforts in a manner consistent with the Lawrence Hall of Science brand guidelines and strategic plans. Supports the Director and Executive Team in the creation of public remarks and written statements.

• Broad knowledge of various media venues, technical aspects and requirements of various venues, and the most appropriate and effective applications. 
• Advanced knowledge of all aspects of communications to ensure delivery of the desired and culturally relevant message with diverse audiences and stakeholders.
• Advanced skills related to utilizing communications, marketing strategies and practices  (e.g. creative promotional and advertising strategies, data-driven audience segmentation) to achieve revenue goals and targets across diverse and multilingual audiences.
• Advanced skills related to various forms of communication including (1) writing (including writing of public remarks/speeches/statements) (2) speaking (including with media and the public), (3) interpersonal communications (including active listening), (4) political navigation.
• Ability to ascertain the sensitivity of a situation and then determine and maintain appropriate discretion and confidentiality.
• Strong analytic, critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Ability to manage changing conditions effectively as well as proactively pursue and respond to opportunities.
• Strong knowledge of applicable state and federal laws pertaining to marketing, data privacy and advertising issues and concerns and other related policies or laws. 
• Ability to gain advanced knowledge of (1) The Lawrence and UC Berkeley (e.g. achievements, mission, vision, goals, policies, practices and infrastructure), and (2) current affairs, issues in related field(s) (e.g. education and/or science (STEM) learning)
• Strong management skills and understanding of technical applications (e.g. project and financial management) in order to effectively manage professional technical staff and communications partners/vendors including execution of design concepts, various media and mediums, applications, etc. to achieve project goals on time and on budget. 
• Knowledge and/or experience producing communications materials for both English and Spanish speakers.
• Strong supervisory skills to (1) select, train, evaluate, lead, direct, guide and motivate staff to produce high quality work, (2) take corrective action as required, (3) to select, onboard and oversee communication partners and vendors. 
• Ability to work nights and weekends, as needed.
• Bachelor’s degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Must maintain a valid California Driver’s License and clean DMV record.

• Masters’ or advanced degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.