Communications Manager Jobs in California

INTRODUCTION

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

DEPARTMENTAL OVERVIEW

The Berkeley Center for New Media is an interdisciplinary research center that studies and shapes media transition and emergence from diverse perspectives. Through critical thinking and making, we cultivate technological equity and fairness in our classrooms, in our communities, and on the internet.

The Events & Communication Manager plays a critical role in the operations of the Berkeley Center for New Media (BCNM). Led by several prominent and energetic UC faculty, with support from a non-faculty Associate Director, this dynamic campus unit conducts research, produces lectures and symposia, awards faculty and student fellowships, hosts visiting scholars, and offers a Designated Emphasis for PhD students, a Certificate for Masters students, and a certificate for the undergraduate population. The BCNM also offers select courses each semester. Over 100 faculty and students from numerous departments are represented by the BCNM, including Anthropology, Architecture, Art Practice, Boalt Law School, Comparative Literature, Computer Science, Education, Electrical Engineering, Ethnic Studies, Film & Media, French, Geography, History, History of Art, Performance Studies, Rhetoric, Spanish & Portuguese, Sociology, among others.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The First Review Date for this job is: July 1, 2026 - Open Until Filled

Responsibilities

• Leads the planning, organization, and execution of events and other programs serving campus audiences and the public. Supports the Director and Associate Director in conceiving of events and programs in relationship to larger BCNM strategy, and in creating dynamic programming surrounding speaker visits (workshops, class visits, departmental co-sponsorships/co-presentations).

• Serves as the main point of contact for speakers and guests. Oversees the organization of supplies procurement, air travel, and local transportation, space and audio-visual arrangements, catering, and hotel accommodations. Manages event budgets and payments, including reimbursements to speakers and BCNM faculty. Proposes and implements consequential decisions about event formats, venues, and technical production.

• Creates and implements communication plans and strategy for events and programs. Creates and ensures the distribution of print collateral, directing volunteers, and managing events on-site. Responsible for video recording of events and liaisoning with services to provide captioning services and ensuring ADA compliance. Maintains program-related web content. Manages newsletters, campus and community outreach, as well as regional, national, and international press releases. Facilitates communications to BCNM's Executive Committee and students. Oversees and implements the Center's social media strategy alongside BCNM student workers.

• Creates and distributes annual reports as well as print and online brochures that highlight student programs, faculty research, funding opportunities, and scholarship supported by the center.

• Manages and maintains BCNM spaces on campus, including ordering equipment and supplies, and resolving IT issues with support from campus IT.

• Functions as primary events and space-related liaison to BCNM students, advocating for and supporting students' ideas for community events and access to work areas on campus, including the BCNM Commons. Manages reservations and arrangements for rental of the BCNM Commons by campus departments. Serves as coordinator for BCNM art exhibitions. Manages three to four undergraduate work-study assistants to support events production and events-related communications.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.

• Advanced Event Management Skills: Proven ability to lead the end-to-end planning, organization, and execution of complex public events, including symposia, conferences, and lectures, while managing technical production, venue logistics, and on-site operations.

• Strategic Communication Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of creating and implementing multi-channel publicity plans, including the use of newsletters, social media strategy, and press releases to reach diverse academic and public audiences.

• Budgetary and Financial Proficiency: Solid knowledge of financial management, including the ability to manage event budgets, process payments, oversee procurement, and handle travel reimbursements in compliance with University policies.

• Digital Literacy and Web Management: Ability to maintain program-related web content and oversee digital materials, utilizing web design tools and social media platforms to tell a cohesive organizational story.

• Stakeholder and Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to serve as the primary point of contact for high-profile speakers, guests, and a diverse community of faculty and students across multiple disciplines.

• Program Development and Strategic Alignment: Ability to support executive leadership in conceiving dynamic programming that aligns with broader organizational strategy, including workshops, class visits, and departmental co-sponsorships.

• Operational and Facilities Management: Knowledge of facility operations, including the ability to manage campus spaces, coordinate art exhibitions, oversee equipment maintenance, and resolve IT issues in collaboration with technical support.

• Supervisory and Leadership Ability: Skilled in managing and mentoring undergraduate work-study assistants, including delegating tasks related to event production and communication deliverables.

• Accessibility and Compliance Knowledge: Familiarity with ensuring event accessibility, specifically regarding video captioning services, ADA compliance, and inclusive space arrangements for all participants.

• Organizational and Project Management Skills: Strong skills in short-term and long-term planning, with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities, from annual reporting and print collateral distribution to space rental coordination.

SALARY & BENEFITS

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. 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, analysis of internal equity, 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 budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $74,700 to $103,800 yearly ($6,225.00 to $8,650.00 monthly); the full salary range for title (EVENTS SPEC 3) is $74,700 to $132,900 yearly. This is a 100% FTE career position eligible for full benefits. This position is FLSA Exempt and paid monthly.