Director of Community Engagement

NO VISA SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE FOR THIS POSITION.
Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a Baskin Engineering or affiliate staff position. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff.

HOW TO APPLY

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 07-14-2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Originally founded in 1997, Baskin Engineering (BE) is the first professional school at UC Santa Cruz. Over the past 25 years, Baskin Engineering has become a unique 21st-century school of engineering and technology, characterized by evolutionary growth fueled by ongoing research opportunities that open new areas of intellectual inquiry. Baskin Engineering has grown to include six academic departments, a variety of research centers and institutes, and has ambitious plans for further programmatic growth. The focus of Baskin Engineering educational programming is to instill strong basic knowledge for sound practice in science and ethical engineering for the well-being of society, and its diverse curricula facilitate creative thinking and prepare students for productive and rewarding careers. Baskin Engineering is focused on building collaborative connections and expanding instruction and research activities for faculty and students at UC Santa Cruz, both at its Santa Cruz campus and at its campus in Silicon Valley, the international center of technological innovation.

More information can be found at https://engineering.ucsc.edu/

JOB SUMMARY

The Baskin School of Engineering's Director of Strategic Engagement develops and expands focused and sustained strategies that build the School's reputation, engagement, key partnerships, and philanthropic support. Working with leadership, the Director leverages the School's identity as a professional school, accomplishments, initiatives, programs, and people to engage key audiences, including alumni, donors, prospective students and faculty, community members, strategic partners, and the campus community.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $128,400 - $151,900/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 000471 (MARKETING MGR 1) - Grade 25

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

25% - Communications and Marketing

• Supervises the Communication and Marketing team members to extend the reach of news and creative content, ensuring that all potential audiences are regularly engaged.
• Ensures that marketing content and strategic communication effectively engage all target audiences, including prospective students, alumni, parents, peer institutions, and
  community.
• Mentors the team to spot opportunities to connect BE experts and accomplishments to external news and developments.
• Raises visibility of faculty, research centers/institutes, and school-wide organizations, including student clubs and societies.
• Develops talking points, speeches, and run-of-shows for events for the Dean and other divisional leadership.
• Works with faculty to develop communication skills to engage with the general public, news organizations, and the popular press.

25% - Alumni Engagement

• Develops and fosters comprehensive alumni engagement programs, including identification, recognition, communications, and events.
• Working closely with the BE Philanthropic and Corporate Development team, identifies and cultivates future donors and volunteers to support development, student mentoring, and career networking programs. Measures and reports on progress.
• Proactively connects the dots between people, programs, and opportunities to give frontline fundraisers and corporate relations officers actionable information to advance their relationships toward new and larger gifts, and to build a development pipeline of future donors.
• Contributes to developing strategies for corporate support, fundraising events, milestone fundraising, and comprehensive campaigns.
• Through effective communications, builds pride, connection, and identity among BE alumni, strengthening their relationship with and support for the school.
• Through student outreach and celebratory undergraduate and graduate commencement activities, establishes strong bonds between future alumni and the school.

20% - Community, Government, Industry, and Campus Relations

• Identifies and pursues key strategic relationships that advance the school's initiatives and priorities.
• Seeks opportunities to promote the school's people and programs in the community and targeted regions.
• Works closely with the Government and Community Relations (GCR) team in University Advancement to ensure that the School of Engineering is apprised of opportunities to leverage relationships with community leaders and local, state, and federal elected officials.
• Works closely with the school and campus communications and marketing teams to ensure the visibility of the school's academic success, initiatives, and the accomplishments of its faculty, students, and alumni.
• In partnership with the BE corporate relations team, supports efforts to further industry relations, including events and communications.
• Works closely with the Innovation and Business Engagement Hub to develop and share opportunities for faculty and students.
• Serves as a liaison with the University's business and entrepreneurship programs, including student organizations.
• Works with other divisions, campus units (University Advancement, Career Services, Admissions, Commencement, etc.), and colleges to facilitate cross-collaborations.
• Contributes to undergraduate and graduate admissions efforts by hosting events and sharing relevant information about the accomplishments of alumni and faculty with prospective students.

15% - Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives

• Identifies local, regional, and national opportunities for the Dean and faculty to advance the Schools initiatives, raise awareness, and build its reputation and visibility.
• Participates in university task forces and initiatives as needed, e.g., Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Silicon Valley outreach, etc.
• Prepares presentations and reports as needed.

15% - Event Strategy

• Creates outcome-driven and audience-focused events that fully support the School's engagement, philanthropic, advocacy, and brand goals, and that events have clear outcomes that are measured and evaluated.
• Leverages dean and faculty travel to host regional events. Works with faculty to develop storytelling competencies and tools, including creating presentations that are compelling to both technical and lay audiences.
• Hosts events that build community within the School.
• Supervises event staff.
• Provide leadership and oversight for the planning and execution of the BE Commencement and BE PhD Hooding Ceremony.
• Attends campus-level planning meetings, identifies student and keynote speakers, and oversees day-of-event management.
• Develops run-of-shows for the Dean and other divisional leadership.
• Drafts keynote speech for the Dean.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Leadership experience with demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems and implement effective short- and long-term solutions.
• Strong knowledge of the campus, including its mission, vision, achievements, infrastructure, products and services.
• Thorough understanding of marketing trends and best practices in higher education and related industries.
• Proven ability to represent and coordinate strategic initiatives with senior leadership, external partners, and community stakeholders.
• Advanced strategic planning skills to set priorities, allocate resources, and achieve defined goals.
• Experience managing staff at all organizational levels, including hiring, training, performance evaluation, and corrective action when necessary.
• Strong interpersonal and political acumen to build relationships and navigate complex internal and external environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop strategic documents, speeches, and presentations for executive audiences.
• Strong skills in market research and data analysis to inform and evaluate engagement and communications strategy.
• Conflict resolution skills and a demonstrated ability to handle sensitive personnel or stakeholder interactions with professionalism.
• Proven track record in project execution, with the ability to meet goals within defined budgets and timelines.
• Knowledge of University policies and relevant state and federal laws regarding copyright and licensing.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Fundraising experience, particularly in donor engagement and campaign support.
• Familiarity with contract and appointment processes in a higher education environment.
• Experience working in a research-intensive STEM or professional school setting.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work primarily on campus, with periods of remote work possible based on operational needs. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Ability to work a variable schedule.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information, and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

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.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

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.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.