Director for Communications and Marketing

Overview: Strategic Communications and Marketing play a key role in achieving the goals of our health enterprise. The Director for Communications and Marketing will serve as a crucial member of the organization’s leadership team, collaborating closely with senior leaders in the Medical School and M Physicians. The Director for Communications and Marketing will lead a collaborative team responsible for internal and external communications, outreach activities, marketing, alumni relations, and event planning. This role will work in close partnership with senior leaders to align communications with organizational goals and maintain coordination with University Relations and the University of Minnesota Foundation to support University-wide objectives. We are looking for a forward-thinking director who will develop and implement communications and marketing plans to build our reputation, brand, and profile, as well as advance the strategic priorities of the Dean. This role will also work with M Health Fairview’s communications and marketing teams to support brand development initiatives. Duties/Responsibilities: Lead the Medical School’s Communications and Marketing team, focusing on enhancing institutional pride and the external profile of the Medical School. Support Alumni Relations efforts in collaboration with UMF to increase alumni engagement in development, advocacy, and student mentorship. Develop and execute public relations and media strategies to build trust and reputation. Provide direction for marketing, branding, communications, and creative services to support engagement, increase visibility, and foster strong relationships with key audiences. Offer guidance to leadership and faculty on communications and marketing trends, media opportunities, and strategies to enhance reputation and manage risks. Implement strategies to advance the Dean and CEO’s priorities and thought leadership. Collaborate with leadership on public relations and reputation strategies. Supervise and mentor team members across units, ensuring high-quality results for the Medical School and M Physicians. Maintain strong partnerships with Fairview Health Services, University of Minnesota Foundation, University Relations, and other key community and health system partners. Support issues management and crisis response in coordination with University Relations. Partner with leaders to evaluate current processes, identify improvements, and address priority areas to meet departmental goals. Oversee web and social media channels to ensure alignment with institutional strategy. Establish and track metrics to assess the impact of communications and marketing activities. Build team capabilities by identifying needed skills, supporting team development, and aligning with strategic communication and marketing goals. Minimum Requirements: BA/BS degree plus at least 10 years of experience. 8 years of progressive experience in Marketing and Communications. Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, or a related field preferred. Proven experience managing strategic communications, media relations, marketing, events, or brand management to further an organization’s mission and impact. Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to engage with a wide range of audiences. Experience with owned, earned, and paid media strategies. Competence in budget planning, forecasting, and developing marketing plans. Demonstrated ability to foster a positive team culture that encourages innovation, engagement, and high-quality work. Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines. Attention to detail and professionalism in all aspects of work. J-18808-Ljbffr