Director of Communications

CUCFA
Council of University of California Faculty Associations

Director of Communications

Remote in California

Full-time • $92,000 plus benefits • Remote in California

About CUCFA
The Council of UC Faculty Associations (CUCFA) is the statewide organization representing Faculty Associations at each of the ten University of California campuses. CUCFA represents UC faculty on issues of shared governance, academic freedom, labor rights, equitable compensation, and the public mission of the University of California. The organization has been undergoing a shift in strategic direction from an advocacy model to an organizing model. We aim to significantly increase the collective power of our chapters through deeper and more sustained faculty organizing, fighting for the future of higher education.

Position Summary
CUCFA seeks a skilled and politically engaged Director of Communications to develop and execute our communications strategy across multiple platforms. This is a full-time, remote position for someone with a background in communications for unions, labor organizations, or academic advocacy groups. The Director of Communications will report to CUCFA leadership and work with existing staff, which includes the Organizing and Operations Directors, in order to coordinate the organization’s public-facing image in the service of its stated goals. For tax purposes, the Director of Communications will need to be a California resident as of the position start date.

Duties & Responsibilities
Social Media Management

• Create, schedule, and publish regular content across CUCFA’s social media platforms, including Bluesky, Instagram, YouTube, and others if deemed appropriate;
• Design original graphics, short-form video content, and multimedia posts that communicate CUCFA’s positions and campaigns in accessible, engaging ways;
• Identify opportunities for timely content through monitoring online conversations and trends relevant to UC faculty on issues of academic freedom and labor in higher education; 
• Maintain consistent voice, branding, and messaging across all social media accounts;
• Track and report on engagement metrics and adjust content strategy accordingly;
• Develop and maintain a content calendar to ensure a regular posting schedule.

Member Newsletter

• Write and distribute a monthly newsletter to CUCFA members and other Senate faculty across the UC system, covering CUCFA’s organizing work, existing campaigns, legal and legislative developments, and local campus news;
• Liaise with Faculty Association locals at each UC campus to solicit updates, news items, and member stories for inclusion in the newsletter;
• Edit and format newsletter content for clarity, consistency, and appropriate tone;
• Distribute newsletter on CUCFA’s CRM platform, Solidarity Tech.

Press & Media Relations

• Draft press releases, media advisories, and public statements on CUCFA’s behalf upon coordination with leadership to ensure accurate and timely messaging;
• Maintain and cultivate relationships with journalists covering higher education, labor, and California politics;
• Respond to media inquiries and support CUCFA leaders with prep sheets for interviews and public appearances;
• Monitor media coverage of CUCFA and related issues; Inform leadership of items of interest.

Website Management

• Maintain and regularly update content on the CUCFA website (cucfa.org), using the Wordpress platform, ensuring information is accurate, current, and well-organized;
• Work with local Faculty Associations to add content to/create content for their local websites;
• Publish statements, reports, video testimony, campaign promos, and other materials in a timely manner;
• Work with Operations Director as needed to address site and web hosting issues;
• Identify opportunities to improve site structure, navigation, and user experience.

Other Communications Support

• Support CUCFA leadership with talking points, op-ed drafts, and other written communications as needed;
• Work with Organizing Director to assist with communications for membership-facing campaigns, public actions, and coalition efforts;
• Ensure all communications reflect CUCFA’s commitment to faculty rights, academic freedom, and shared governance.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in communications, digital media, or public affairs for a union, labor organization, faculty association, community organizing effort, progressive political or advocacy organization;
• Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to communicate complex policy issues clearly and compellingly for a variety of audiences;
• Hands-on experience managing social media accounts and creating content across multiple platforms (Bluesky, Instagram, YouTube, and/or similar);
• Proficiency with graphic design tools (e.g., Canva, Inkscape, Adobe Express, or equivalent) for creating social media graphics and visual content;
• Experience writing newsletters, press releases, or other organizational communications;
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple deadlines, and coordinate with remote stakeholders across a large institution;
• Genuine commitment to and understanding of labor rights, academic freedom, public education, shared governance, and social justice.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience directing communications for a union or labor organization;
• Familiarity with the University of California system, its governance structure, and/or California higher education policy;
• Experience with email marketing platforms (e.g., Solidarity Tech, Mailchimp, Action Network, or similar);
• Basic website management skills (WordPress or similar);
• Experience with basic video editing for social media (Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, TikTok);
• Bilingual (written and/or verbal) English/Spanish candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Compensation & Work Environment
Yearly salary is set at $92,000 with benefits included. The position is fully remote, however you must be a resident of California as of the position start date for tax purposes. 

Equal Opportunity Employer
CUCFA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

How to Apply
To apply, please send the following materials to View email address on unionjobs.com with the subject line “ Director of Communications ”:

• A cover letter describing your experience in communications for labor, union, community, or advocacy organizations and your commitment to CUCFA’s mission (please also clearly state in the letter that you are a California resident or are able to become a California resident as of the position start date);
• A comprehensive résumé;
• A portfolio of work, including samples of writing as well as social media and/or graphic work (e.g., press releases, newsletters, social media posts, websites, graphic or video content)

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a priority deadline of Friday, July 31st . Short-listed candidates will be invited for a remote interview.

WHEN APPLYING: Be sure to indicate that you saw this information at .