Head of UW Medical Center Communications, UW Medicine Strategic Communications

Job Description

UW Medicine Strategic Communications has an outstanding opportunity for a Head of UW Medical Center Communications to join their team.

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the Chief Communications Officer, the Head of UW Medical Center Communications is the primary communications leader for UW Medical Center within UW Medicine’s systemwide Strategic Communications team. This new, highly visible role partners closely with the UWMC CEO, executive team and other senior leaders to shape clear, timely and effective communications for one of the world’s foremost academic health centers.

The successful candidate will bring strategic judgment, collaborative leadership, change management expertise and a commitment to integrity, kindness, equity and the UW Medicine mission.

Key Responsibilities

UW Medical Center Communications Strategic Leadership – 60%

• Serve as a high-level communications strategist for UWMC - across campuses – making key decisions, providing sound counsel to leadership, designing recommendations, proactively creating communication strategy and overseeing implementation.
• Partner closely with the UWMC CEO as a communications chief of staff, managing executive communications priorities, preparing the CEO for key communications and representing the CEO’s communications interests in appropriate forums.
• Lead hospital wide communications planning and project intake, strengthen UWMC’s reputation through strategic storytelling, and align communications with Strategic Communications peers, Harborview Medical Center Communications and other key partners.

Editing and supervision of UWMC Content Creators – 15%

• Provide skilled, swift and accurate editing of the work of writers and other content contributors.
• Perform dotted line supervision of senior writers – and occasionally social media specialists – producing content related to UWMC.
• Work closely with the Director of Internal Communications in partnered supervision of the senior writers working on UWMC content.

Content Creation – 20%

• Develop high quality messaging and materials to address communication needs.
• Play a key role in the design and creation of messaging and materials for the UWMC Board, UWMC employees, community leaders and other high-impact audiences.

Other Duties as Assigned – 5%

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications or related field
• Five years of progressive responsibility in communications leadership, preferably serving as the communications head of an entire organization

Additional Qualifications

• Supervisory experience, preferably of writers
• Experience in communications planning and project management for large-scale projects
• Experience editing and ensuring high-quality, accurate deliverables
• Experience performing the duties of a communications right hand/communications chief of staff to a high level executive leader of a medium-to-large organization
• Change management experience and expertise
• Internal communications experience and expertise
• Experience building and expanding an organization’s reputation within external communities
• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision
• Sound judgement and the ability to exercise discretion
• An authentically and consistently good listener
• Exceptional skills in relationship-building and collaboration
• Proven ability to work seamlessly and graciously with peer leaders to align with overarching strategy and reduce duplicative or siloed work; the willingness to defer to systemwide strategy and leaders as needed
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, high-change environment, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, priorities and daily content deadlines
• Understanding of and commitment to healthcare equity and inclusive communications practices
• A strategic and resourceful problem-solver
• Strong writer and oral communicator, able to ensure accuracy and excellence in all deliverables
• Knowledge and understanding of communications best practices
• Extensive experience with internal/employee communications
• Experience engaging with employees via an organizational intranet
• High level of computer li