Rana Freedman Named Communications Director of the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics
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Berkeley, CA – Dec 2, 2025 — The UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics (BCSP) has named Rana Freedman as its new Executive Director of Communications, a role that will guide the Center’s strategic communications and voice as it continues to advance psychedelic research for the public good.
Freedman brings more than 25 years of experience in communications, marketing and content development across the nonprofit, philanthropic and higher education sectors. Throughout her career, she has worked to amplify mission-driven organizations and translate their priorities into clear, engaging stories. She’s passionate about connecting people to science in ways that inspire understanding and trust, reflecting the BCSP’s values of integrity, transparency, equity, reciprocity and curiosity—principles that inform all its work.
In her new role, Freedman will oversee the BCSP’s communications strategy, strengthening its visibility as a trusted source on the science and cultural understanding of psychedelics.
“We’re excited to welcome Rana to the BCSP,” says Andrea Venezia, Executive Director of the Center. “Her extensive experience and creative vision will elevate our work and help us connect with new audiences seeking thoughtful and balanced information about psychedelics and their potential benefits.”
“I’m thrilled to join the BCSP at such an exciting time,” says Freedman. “As public curiosity about psychedelics grows, the BCSP’s commitment to rigorous science, multidisciplinary inquiry, and open dialogue are more important than ever. I look forward to collaborating with this talented team—and our partners—to help more people understand the research and its potential impact.”
Before joining the BCSP, Freedman served as Director of Digital and Social Media Marketing at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, where she led a team in translating cutting-edge science and AI through digital storytelling. She also spent nearly a decade at the University of California Office of the President, leading integrated marketing strategies that highlighted the University’s research, public service and impact across California and beyond.
Freedman earned her B.A. in religion from Oberlin College.
The UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics (BCSP) is an interdisciplinary research, journalism, and public education center exploring psychedelics.
Our work includes world-leading academic research into the role and nature of psychedelics and the brain and mind; a set of highly acclaimed independent journalism programs that report on groundbreaking issues related to psychedelic science, history, politics, culture, and therapeutic value; and a community engagement strand that brings learnings from the Center’s work to communities for dialogue and action on UC Berkeley’s campus and beyond, with a focus on diversity of voices, inclusiveness, and equity-driven approaches in all facets of the Center’s work. Clarity about the role of equity-driven approaches in the BCSP’s communications is essential.
The Executive Director of Communications will work closely with BCSP leadership to craft the Center’s strategic voice, highly attuned to the its multiple audiences and complexities within the field of psychedelics. They will help lead the strategic positioning of the BCSP within the field and create and track indicators of success to use when communicating with a broad group of audiences. They will develop and lead a comprehensive strategic communications plan, leveraging external and public affairs, media relations, digital and social media, stakeholder management, and events in accord with the BCSP’s mission. This strategic communications plan will also include a messaging platform for the team and its collaborators. They will lead the evolution of the plan and messaging platform, based on the Center’s work and priorities.
Position Summary
The Executive Director of Communications will work closely with BCSP leadership to craft the Center’s strategic voice, highly attuned to the its multiple audiences and complexities within the field of psychedelics. They will help lead the strategic positioning of the BCSP within the field and create and track indicators of success to use when communicating with a broad group of audiences. They will develop and lead a comprehensive strategic communications plan, leveraging external and public affairs, media relations, digital and social media, stakeholder management, and events in accord with the BCSP’s mission. This strategic communications plan will also include a messaging platform for the team and its collaborators. They will lead the evolution of the plan and messaging platform, based on the Center’s work and priorities.
Furthermore, the Executive Director of Communication’s work will fall into the following areas:
Strategic Communications and Communications Leadership. This includes leading the development and implementation of the Center’s voice, creating and leading the implementation of a strategic communications plan, supporting leadership and reputational needs for the center, innovating communications, translating and writing for different audiences, and working with leadership to track and communicate the Center’s impact.
Development of collateral/assets. This includes overseeing the website, social media channels, the newsletter, donor communications (in partnership with leadership), branding, and 508 compliance.
Internal engagement. This includes leading communications for team projects, programs, and work strands, UC compliance around communications, engaging with campus partners and collaborators, and leading communications for UC Berkeley’s Big Give.
External engagement. This includes working with media outlets, external partners and collaborators, providing thought partnership about communications components of Center events, and engaging with communications directors at similar centers globally.
Management. This includes overseeing the work of communications staff members, pending funding; deciding upon appropriate internal tools to use for communications; overseeing project management (or delegating to staff, pending funding); providing communications trainings to Center teams; managing Center media requests; and overseeing the Center’s communications inbox.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is: May 28, 2025
Responsibilities
Leads and manages diverse aspects of the BCSP’s communications, including its online presence (e.g. website and social media), media relationships, live events, and spokesperson support.
Identifies strategic and programmatic communications goals; develops & delivers comprehensive communications plans to meet those goals.
Provides actionable advice to the BCSP on all aspects of communications, including strategic planning, effective messaging, and problem resolution (including negative publicity).
Directly represents the BCSP to external stakeholders, including through written pieces, public speaking, and stakeholder relationships.
Evaluates, selects, and manages external contractors & agencies to deliver key elements of the BCSP’s communications activities.
Manages, develops, and leverages the BCSP’s brand identity in service of its communications goals.
Considers the Center’s fundraising and donor-engagement needs, and creates appropriate communications strategies and assets to support those needs.
Develops and implements a communications monitoring & evaluation plan to assess the effectiveness of the Center’s communications, and enable the Center to act appropriately.
Ensures adequate budgeting, resourcing, and cost-effectiveness of the Center’s communications activities.
Required Qualifications
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.
Advanced knowledge and understanding of technical applications to direct professional technical staff, or personally perform technical work, including design concepts, various media, and applications.
Advanced knowledge of and/or can quickly learn the organization, including its mission, vision, goals, policies, and infrastructure.
Strong knowledge of current affairs and issues in higher education and/or health sciences.
Advanced skills to create, develop, and implement long and short-term strategic communication plans.
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.
Excellent analytical, critical thinking, project management, and problem recognition, avoidance, and resolution skills.
Thorough knowledge of and/or can quickly learn location protocols and channels for communication internally and externally.
Bachelor’s degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
Preferred Qualifications
Understanding of contemporary issues in public education.
Salary & Benefits
This is a 100% full-time (40 hrs a week) exempt career position, which is paid monthly and eligible for UC Benefits.
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California’s Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The budgeted annual salary that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $98,600.00 – $175,000.
This position is eligible for up to 40% remote work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs, and are subject to change.
Conviction History Background
This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
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.
About Berkeley
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