Biomedical Cancer Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary:

Note: This position requires on-site work three days per week.

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.

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of time

Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)

Yes

Strategic Communications & Reputation Management 
Lead the development and execution of strategic media relations plans and comprehensive communications campaigns that advance the reputation and visibility of the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.

• Develop strategic communications plans supporting Cancer Center priorities, research initiatives, clinical programs, and institutional goals.
• Identify and elevate breakthrough discoveries, major publications, clinical trials, physician leaders, and patient-centered innovations.
• Position UCSF faculty and leadership as national thought leaders in oncology and biomedical research.
• Advise leadership on opportunities and risks that may impact the Cancer Center's reputation.

Media Relations & Story Development

Serve as the primary media relations lead for the Cancer Center.

• Build and maintain relationships with top-tier national, international, health care, science, and trade journalists.
• Develop compelling media pitches, news releases, feature stories, and executive messaging.
• Secure high-impact media placements in national, international, regional, and specialty outlets.
• Coordinate media interviews, press events, embargoed scientific announcements, and publication-related communications.
• Develop integrated communications approaches for major scientific meetings and conferences.

Faculty & Executive Communications Counsel

Provide strategic communications counsel to faculty, researchers, physicians, and senior leaders.

• Advise investigators and clinical leaders on media engagement strategies.
• Prepare faculty and executives for media interviews and public-facing opportunities.
• Support communications related to complex scientific discoveries, clinical research findings, and emerging health issues.
• Build trusted relationships with key stakeholders across the Cancer Center and UCSF enterprise.
• Navigate competing stakeholder interests while maintaining strategic alignment with institutional priorities.