Executive Director of Issues Management

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and its Office of Strategic Communications (StratComm), seek a strategic, proactive, and collaborative leader to serve as the next Executive Director of Issues Management.

This is an extraordinary moment to join UCLA and StratComm. The university recently welcomed its seventh chancellor, Dr. Julio Frenk, a visionary leader in global health and higher education. In his June 2025 inaugural address, Chancellor Frenk called on UCLA to rise to today’s most pressing challenges and to embrace its role as a force for connection, progress, and public trust.

He outlined a bold and values-driven vision for UCLA to be a connective, impactful, and exemplary public institution. “Great universities bridge divides,” he said, affirming UCLA’s unique ability to bring people together, translate knowledge into solutions, and inspire a stronger society.

The Executive Director of Issues Management will play a meaningful role in realizing this vision. This position is central to how the university prepares for, responds to, and communicates around complex issues that shape UCLA’s reputation and relationships. It is an opportunity to lead with integrity, protect what matters most, and help define how a great university shows up when clarity, courage, and care are most needed.

Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications, the Executive Director serves as a senior advisor and institutional strategist. This individual partners with academic and administrative leaders across campus to anticipate and address a wide range of reputational challenges, from emerging concerns to sensitive ongoing issues.

The Executive Director provides clear counsel to senior leadership, oversees real-time response and risk analysis, and uses media and storytelling to reflect UCLA’s mission, values, and excellence. Leading a focused team, this individual will guide the university’s strategy for issues management, crisis response, and long-term reputation building.

The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking communicator who thrives in high-stakes environments and leads with transparency and collaboration. They bring at least ten years of experience in senior communications roles within complex institutions, along with a record of success in issues and crisis management. A deep understanding of audience engagement, messaging, and organizational trust is essential. Higher education experience is not required. A bachelor’s degree is required.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $190,000–$210,000 and is commensurate with experience. 

Elizabeth Neustaedter is leading this search with Christina Garrison and Ryan Cheung. 

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer advancing inclusive excellence. 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 categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.