Senior Public Information Representative - Cancer
 University of California - San Francisco | |||||||||||||
135000-150000
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 United States, California, San Francisco | |||||||||||||
| 490 Illinois Street (Show on map) | |||||||||||||
 Jun 25, 2026 | |||||||||||||
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Job Summary: San Francisco (UCSF) Public Affairs seeks an experienced and highly strategic health, science, and media relations professional to serve as Senior Public Information Representative (SPIR) primarily supporting the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (HDFCCC), one of the nation's leading National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers. Reporting to the Director of Public Relations, this position serves as the lead communications strategist,media relations advisor, and storyteller for a complex portfolio encompassing cancer research, translational science, clinical innovation, and patient care. The role functions with a high degree of autonomy and exercises advanced judgment in developing and implementing communications strategies that enhance institutional reputation, elevate visibility of scientific and clinical excellence, and support UCSF's strategic priorities. The position is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and advancing high-impact communications opportunities involving nationally recognized faculty, physician-scientists, clinical leaders, research programs, and institutional initiatives. Working closely with Cancer Center leadership and stakeholders across UCSF, the incumbent develops comprehensive communications plans and media strategies that translate complex scientific and clinical concepts into compelling narratives for external audiences. While cancer is the primary subject area for this position, the role will require coverage of adjacent topic areas such as dermatology, urology and women's health. The SPIR serves as a trusted communications strategist and media relations advisor to senior leaders, faculty, physicians, and researchers, providing strategic counsel on media engagement, message development, reputational risk, and public positioning. Working with a high degree of independence, this individual develops and executes comprehensive communications strategies, often involving multiple stakeholders and reputational considerations, to elevate the national and international visibility of UCSF cancer research, clinical innovation, physician leadership, and patient care excellence. Success in this role requires advanced knowledge of health, science, and media communications; demonstrated experience translating complex biomedical and clinical information for diverse audiences; and the ability to build productive relationships with faculty, executives, journalists, and external stakeholders. This individual develops and maintains relationships with local, regional, national, and international media and proactively secures earned media coverage that advances awareness of UCSF's leadership in cancer research, clinical care, innovation, and health equity. The position collaborates extensively with colleagues across Public Affairs, Marketing, UCSF Health Communications, Government Relations, Development, and Cancer Center leadership to ensure strategic alignment and coordinated communications across the enterprise. This position participates in the Public Affairs on-call rotation and may provide communications support during crises, emerging issues, and other high-profile situations requiring strategic communications counsel and media engagement. The starting salary range is $135K-$150K depending on experience. Department Summary: As UCSF's enterprise communications team, the Office of Communications (OC) provides comprehensive and coordinated leadership in planning, creating, and implementing integrated strategies across all media to foster increased awareness and support of UCSF's mission, vision, accomplishments and strategic priorities among its diverse internal and external constituencies. Its Public Affairs team serves as the official voice of UCSF to regional, state, national, and international news media. UCSF Public Affairs is dedicated to supporting UCSF's enterprise strategic goals and communicating UCSF's excellence across the breadth of its mission through traditional and evolving news media, as well as our own channels. The team serves as the front line for media and as the primary external communications liaison with UCSF's ~3,900 faculty members, with responsibility for managing those relationships and for guiding them in promoting their work. Public Affairs is a dynamic and collaborative team, made up of bright, talented, motivated colleagues who bring a variety of communications skills to their roles and provide significant support to one another
Required: Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, life sciences, public health, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum seven years of progressively responsible experience in media relations, journalism, public affairs, strategic communications, health communications, science communications, or a related field. Advanced knowledge of media relations principles, strategic communications planning, and reputation management. Demonstrated success developing and executing communications strategies that support organizational objectives and produce measurable outcomes Advanced verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills Demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific, medical, and technical information into compelling communications for diverse audiences. Experience providing communications counsel to senior leaders, faculty, physicians, researchers, or other high-profile subject matter experts. Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex, sensitive, and high-profile communications issues. Advanced analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Strong project management and organizational skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders. Experience using digital and social media platforms to amplify communications efforts Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential or sensitive information. Preferred: Master's degree in communications, journalism, public health, life sciences, or related field. Experience supporting an academic medical center, cancer center, research institution, healthcare organization, or life sciences organization. Knowledge of cancer research, translational science, clinical trials, precision medicine, oncology, or biomedical research. Established relationships with national health, science, medical, or policy reporters. Experience supporting executive communications and thought leadership initiatives. About UCSF
The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world's leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.
Pride Values
UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence - also known as our PRIDE values.
In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity - both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available here.
Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.
Equal Employment Opportunity
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.
Salary Information
The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.
Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.
To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html Required: Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, life sciences, public health, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum seven years of progressively responsible experience in media relations, journalism, public affairs, strategic communications, health communications, science communications, or a related field. Advanced knowledge of media relations principles, strategic communications planning, and reputation management. Demonstrated success developing and executing communications strategies that support organizational objectives and produce measurable outcomes Advanced verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills Demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific, medical, and technical information into compelling communications for diverse audiences. Experience providing communications counsel to senior leaders, faculty, physicians, researchers, or other high-profile subject matter experts. Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex, sensitive, and high-profile communications issues. Advanced analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Strong project management and organizational skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders. Experience using digital and social media platforms to amplify communications efforts Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential or sensitive information. Preferred: Master's degree in communications, journalism, public health, life sciences, or related field. Experience supporting an academic medical center, cancer center, research institution, healthcare organization, or life sciences organization. Knowledge of cancer research, translational science, clinical trials, precision medicine, oncology, or biomedical research. Established relationships with national health, science, medical, or policy reporters. Experience supporting executive communications and thought leadership initiatives. | |||||||||||||