The Moores Cancer Center (MCC) is one of just 57 NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the United States and the only one in San Diego County. As a consortium cancer center, it is a collaborative partnership between the UCSD: encompassing 28 departments, 6 schools (School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Public Health, Jacobs School of Engineering, School of Biological Sciences & the School of Physical Sciences), UCSD Health oncology hospitals and clinics; the basic and public health research and outreach of San Diego State University (SDSU), and the basic and translational research of the La Jolla Institute of Immunology (LJI). These various programs and units are all dedicated to fulfilling the Moores Cancer Center's mission of reducing cancer's burden. As such, it ranks among the top centers in the nation conducting the continuum of cancer research, providing advanced patient care, and serving the community through outreach and education programs. As a top-ranking, future-oriented organization, we offer challenging career opportunities in a fast-paced and innovative environment. Moores Cancer Center follows a progressive philosophy of career-path development for its employees including opportunities for cross-training, professional development, and progressive responsibility.

MCC's mission is to transform cancer care in our catchment area and beyond by driving exceptional scientific discoveries and innovations in prevention, detection, care, and training. MCC will make a global impact on improving health by reducing cancer burden through accelerated discovery and translation, compassionate and interdisciplinary care, education and community engagement, with the foundation of our core values - Excellence, Innovation and Risk-Taking, Collaboration, Diversity and Service.

The Associate Director of Communications reports to the MCC Director of Planning and Development and Executive Director of Strategic Communications for Health Sciences. The incumbent is responsible for developing and executing integrated marketing and communication strategies aimed at driving reputation and growth for the academic-related missions of Moores Cancer Center. In partnership with MCC leadership and UC San Diego Health Sciences communications colleagues, the individual will develop and execute strategic communications plans, including traditional and digital strategies to promote academic research, education and community outreach. They will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including operational and executive leadership, to align program goals, target audiences and messaging.

The individual draws on their knowledge of communications and marketing concepts to select appropriate methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for measuring results. This role oversees the coordination and creation of effective MCC marketing and communications materials, including printed collateral, digital assets, promotional campaigns, annual reports, and the monitoring of all communications tactics to gauge effectiveness, with a key emphasis on reporting and presenting results to stakeholders.

The individual will conduct market research to identify audience needs, preferences and trends to develop effective marketing materials, including printed collateral and digital assets, in collaboration with internal teams. They will stay updated on industry trends and compliance regulations (particularly HIPAA and data privacy), ensuring proper integration into strategic planning. This position also includes project management responsibilities and special projects as assigned. (Note: All patient-facing marketing materials and campaigns are developed under the branding guidelines and direction of UC San Diego Health Marketing Communications Team. This position will work collaboratively with Health System marketing for all patient-facing materials).

Working closely with the Executive Director of Strategic Communications for Health Sciences and the CCMO of UC San Diego Health, this position will help manage important and sensitive issues and provide expert counsel and support leadership in developing key strategies for implementing key decisions in handling of center-wide issues and overseeing important projects.

Independently oversees a comprehensive communications program for a unit or school with a large, complex communications program requiring a wide variety of communications media, including written, visual, digital and electronic, and associated technical applications. Works with management to develop and execute organizational communication and market branding strategy for a highly visible program.

• Nine years of related experience, education/training, OR an Bachelor's degree in related area plus five years of related experience/training.

• Advanced knowledge and understanding of all aspects of communications, including strategic planning for various media venues, technical aspects and requirements of various venues, and most appropriate and effective applications. Thorough expertise and proficiency in digital media content creation and administration. Demonstrated experience developing creative, engaging, strategic content across a variety of social media platforms.

• Advanced knowledge and understanding of technical applications to direct professional technical staff, or personally perform technical work, including design concepts, various media, and applications. Experience using computer applications for web production, image handling, publishing and design, illustration, presentation preparation, animation, web interaction, and/or other state-of-the-art web communication capabilities. Experience with and ability to use and learn software or platform including Adobe suite, CRM, Newsletter tools, Blog tools, Website platform management, etc.

• Advanced knowledge of the organization, including its mission, vision, goals, policies, and infrastructure; strong knowledge of current affairs and issues in higher education and / or health sciences. Ability to comprehend academic research as well as industry needs and to write and translate the work in a way that is understandable to the general public.

• Advanced skills to create, develop, and implement long and short term strategic communication plans. Knowledge of all aspects of communications, including strategic planning for various media venues, technical aspects and requirements of various venues, and most appropriate and effective applications.

• Advanced skills to advise and consult management on all aspects of communications, ranging from developing effective communication strategies to appropriately responding to inquiries regarding sensitive or complex issues or information.

• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal communications, active listening and political acumen skills. Advanced written, verbal, interpersonal communications, active listening and political acumen skills.

• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, project management, and problem recognition, avoidance, and resolution skills.

• Thorough knowledge of location protocols and channels for communication internally and externally.

• Experience creating clear, easy-to-navigate, informative, accurate, well-designed, and functional web sites that provide web content consistent with the organization's message and in keeping with management directives and client objectives.

• Knowledge and understanding of technical applications to effectively direct technical staff, or personally perform technical work, including design concepts, various media, and applications. Thorough understanding and experience in all news / media mediums including the internet, social media and other emerging technologies.

• Knowledge, interest, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and use of digital communications to contribute to achieving DEI goals.

• Extensive skills in audience targeting and experience with generating organic growth. Knowledge of location protocols and channels for internal and external communication.

• Thorough knowledge of content management systems and / or relevant web applications used for web production and organization-specific computer application programs.

• Experience and proven success with advanced knowledge of the UCSD campus and/or medical center's product lines and services, and/or knowledge of Oncology clinical services, research and/or industry.

• Experience working with community-based organizations, direct health-services providers, researchers, professional associations, and businesses. Demonstrated working skills to produce and deliver programs and conduct needs assessments.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.