DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL STRATEGY

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DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Digital and Creative Strategy department helps build public understanding and support for the University of California and its mission through innovative and engaging digital, print, and other physical products. We work to steward the UC brand and to ensure a positive user experience for our varied audiences. As a team, we strive to build products we're proud of, create processes that empower, and cultivate a culture where all can be authentic, inspired and valued.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Digital Strategy is a strategic leader charged with guiding the vision and development of UC systemwide digital products. This role leads the Digital Product team, overseeing UX, content strategy, and development for systemwide websites, applications, and tools. The Director is responsible for the end-to-end development of digital products, ensuring they align with the university's mission and departmental priorities. Reporting to the Senior Director of Digital and Creative Strategy, this role also serves as a key advisor to leadership and internal and external partners, ensuring products remains engaging, usable, accessible, and on-brand.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Management and digital strategy (50%):
  • Guides digital product ideation, development and execution, effectively balancing business, user, accessibility, branding, design, content and technology needs.
  • Creates cohesive, best-in-class digital experiences through ongoing cross-functional collaboration.
  • Ensures design consistency and adherence to brand guidelines, preserving systemwide brand identity across all digital products.
  • Establishes and guides strategy for UCOP's flagship properties, various program sites and applications.
  • Builds consensus for both strategic and tactical decisions through ongoing collaboration with colleagues, partners and vendors.
  • Uses UX methodologies to ground ongoing decision-making while driving iterative product improvement.
  • Manages, mentors and trains individual team members, ensuring continued professional development and engagement.
  • Establishes goals and objectives that align with departmental priorities, tracking both personal and team progress.
  • Remains up-to-date on emerging UX, technology and content strategy trends, helping to advance department-wide thinking and best practices.
• Consultation and collaboration (25%):
  • Acts as the primary liaison between ER&C, ITS, and external vendors, ensuring seamless coordination.
  • Partners with leadership and cross-functional teams to advise on digital strategies, ensuring products effectively support UC's priorities.
  • Fosters relationships with key stakeholders across UCOP and the UC system to drive collaboration and alignment on key initiatives.
• Project management (25%):
  • Develops project plans, budgets, and timelines for multiple digital projects of varying scope.
  • Ensures the delivery of high-quality digital products on time and within budget, balancing strategic goals with execution.
  • Anticipates and proactively addresses challenges, providing solutions to mitigate risks before they impact project success.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Expertise in end-to-end digital product development, including UX design, content strategy, project planning, and technical execution, with a deep understanding of UX/UI best practices and accessibility standards.
• Strong leadership and team management experience, with the ability to communicate clearly about resources, dependencies, and expectations.
• Proven ability to hire, train, supervise, develop, and coach staff, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to effectively and diplomatically engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, able to independently generate insights and make informed decisions.
• Ability to set and communicate a long-term UX and digital strategy, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities.
• Strong ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines at once.
• Comfort in a rapid response environment; ability to quickly and effectively deploy digital solutions to emerging needs.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Familiarity with the University of California system, including the UC Office of the President, and its mission, goals, policies, practices, structure, and achievements.
• Understanding of current public higher education issues and challenges in the U.S.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and 8+ years' experience leading large web projects in a content strategy and/or user experience role, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Job Title
Communications Manager 1

Job Code
000408

Salary Grade
Grade 25

Payscale:
$150,000 - $170,000, commensurate with experience

The University of California, Office of the President, 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 full salary range shows the growth potential for this position and the pay scale is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position.

Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HOW TO APPLY

Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The first review date for this job is April 16, 2026. The position will be open until filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check Process: Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position. Background check process at UCOP

Smoke Free Work Environment: The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014. UC Smoke & Tobacco Free Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• "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.
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
  • APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

EEO STATEMENT

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 status under state or federal law.

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