Logo
University of Washington

DIRECTOR OF HOSPITAL COMMUNICATIONS

University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, us, 98127


Experience, qualification, and soft skills, have you got everything required to succeed in this opportunity Find out below.DIRECTOR OF HOSPITAL COMMUNICATIONS

Req #: 240463Department: SCHOOL OF MEDICINEJob Location: Seattle - South Lake UnionJob Location Detail: Hybrid EligiblePosting Date: 10/31/2024Closing Info: Open Until FilledSalary: $11,500 - $12,750 per monthShift: First Shift

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world. UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

UW Medicine Strategic Marketing and Communications has an outstanding opportunity for a Director of Hospital Communications (Director) to join our team.

At UW Medicine , we work to improve health for all people through excellence in clinical, research, and education and training programs. As the only comprehensive clinical, research and learning health system in the five-state WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho) region, UW Medicine provides the most up-to-date care for each individual patient, leads one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive medical research programs, and provides innovative learning programs for students, trainees, and practitioners in the health professions.

The Strategic Marketing and Communications (SMC) team

at UW Medicine plays a unique and vital role in advancing UW Medicine’s mission to improve the health of all people. We do this by creating connections to the discoveries, knowledge, and care that improve people’s lives. Our team is comprised of 50+ dedicated professionals who work across a variety of marketing and communications disciplines for both the health system and UW School of Medicine.

The Director will play a critical role in leading and executing both internal and external communications strategies and messaging for Harborview Medical Center within the Strategic Communications team. This is a new role, so the candidate will have the creative freedom to conduct assessments, design strategy, make key decisions, and build a powerful program that will benefit UW Medicine hospitals for years to come.

As one of the leaders within the Strategic Communications team, the role requires a values-driven, hands-on producer who can both think big picture and drive implementation themselves, proactively identifying, writing, editing, disseminating and facilitating communications. The candidate will be responsible for proactively identifying opportunities for leadership communications, strengthening Harborview’s public reputation, enhancing employee engagement, facilitating feedback, assessing the hospital community and providing critical news and information in a timely manner, including crisis communications as needed.

Please note, this position is not directly responsible for Harborview social media content.

The Director currently has no direct reports but has leadership responsibility over a large functional area and leads collaboration with team members who have expertise in writing, internal communications, media relations, social media and video production. This position requires demonstrated leadership ability, strong listening skills, and a fluent understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

A successful candidate will have strong collaboration and interpersonal skills, adept at building trust and relationships with care teams, hospital leaders, government leaders, subject matter experts, and communications partners.

The Director should be able to create high stakes messaging as well as engaging content. They must be able to balance competing priorities and timelines; identify the right timing, methods and delivery platforms and channels; make complex, technical information understandable for diverse audiences; and work in a fast-paced environment. This role’s work is highly visible and impactful; the candidate must ensure quality and accuracy.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Hospital Communications (Harborview) Program Design (25%):

Conduct assessments to determine the strengths, opportunities and gaps in communications for Harborview Medical Center.

Design solutions, strategies and a robust program to ensure highly effective communications – both internal and external.

Create key performance indicators and conduct evaluations of the program, reporting on results and making adjustments to ensure continuous improvement.

Communications Development (60%):

Proactively identify opportunities for executive messaging and communications, and plan, develop, and coordinate the execution of messaging for multiple formats.

Help protect and advance Harborview’s brand reputation with patients and the community.

Work with the media relations team as they manage HMC-specific media inquiries.

Manage communications projects for or related to Harborview Medical Center, ensuring effective processes and on-time delivery.

Understand and convey the appropriate voice and tone of key executive leaders.

Proactively identify, research, and develop original content about and for Harborview Medical Center.

Follow AP and UW Medicine brand, voice, inclusivity, and editorial style guidelines.

Support ongoing and urgent communications needs.

Create daily content deliverables and manage Harborview’s editorial calendar.

Measure and report on communications engagement and impact.

Review and edit content produced by others.

Apply a lens of equity and inclusion to all communications.

Outreach and Collaboration (15%):

Build trusted relationships with hospital leadership, care teams, other employees and internal and external partners.

Partner with colleagues to enhance the employee experience at Harborview.

Identify and attend regular hospital meetings to understand opportunities and discover information that will benefit internal audiences.

Provide timely and ongoing updates.

Collaborate with colleagues and partners to support process improvements.

Identify potential solutions to complex problems and unique issues as they arise.

Other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor's degree in communications or related field.

Five years of progressive responsibility in communications strategy development, project management and execution.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

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 in a fast-paced, high-change environment.

Understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusive communications practices.

A strategic and resourceful problem-solver.

Strong writer and oral communicator.

Knowledge and understanding of communications best practices.

Working knowledge of internal and external communications platforms.

Experience engaging with employees via an organizational intranet.

High level of computer literacy skills.

Familiarity with AP style and ability to adhere to brand guidelines.

Ability to occasionally work outside of traditional hours to support urgent issues as needed.

Demonstrated integrity.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Ten years of progressively responsible experience in communications strategy development, planning and execution.

Advanced degree in communications or related field.

Experience working in a healthcare setting, preferably within a hospital.

Prior experience working in a large, complex organization.

Experience using email automation applications such as Marketo.

Willingness to drive strong results with limited resources.

Experience posting content on a content management system.

Knowledge of accessibility best practices.

Experience with Office 365 and SharePoint.

Application Process:

The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.

#J-18808-Ljbffr