Associate Director of Internal Communications - UW Medicine Strategic Communications

Job Description

UW Medicine Strategic Communications has an outstanding opportunity for an Associate Director of Internal Communications to join their team.

About this opportunity
Reporting to the Senior Director of Internal Communications, this role manages day-to-day internal communications strategy and planning, content development, executive communications support, and organizational messaging that informs and engages staff, faculty, trainees and students across the health system and the School of Medicine.

The Associate Director of Internal Communications manages and executes UW Medicine’s systemwide internal communications strategies, including editorial operations and engagement initiatives across audiences and communication channels. The position provides strategic and operational leadership by managing a team of experienced writers, guiding complex communications projects, and partnering with leaders across UW Medicine to develop and deliver timely, accurate and accessible communications across multiple platforms.

The ideal candidate brings strong leadership capabilities, exceptional writing and editing skills, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment. Success in this role also requires strong organizational and project management skills, relation-building abilities, and a commitment to kindness, integrity, collaboration, curiosity, inclusivity and continuous improvement is essential.

Key Responsibilities

Internal Communications Strategy and Execution: 55%

• Support the development and implementation of UW Medicine’s internal communications strategies, communications plans and audience engagement initiatives across the organization, entities and operational priorities.
• Develop, write, manage and execute high-quality internal communications content across multiple channels, including intranet stories, executive and leadership messages, newsletters, email campaigns, presentations, talking points and organizational updates.
• Lead and support executive, leadership and employee communications initiatives, and ensure deliverables align with UW Medicine’s mission, values, voice, accessibility standards and inclusive language practices.
• Manage and optimize day-to-day internal communications operations, including communications channels and platforms, editorial calendars, workflows, and review and approval processes.
• Partner cross-functionally with Strategic Communications, HR, IT Services, Compliance, Organizational Development, and other operational leaders to ensure coordinated, accurate and effective employee communications.
• Support communications strategies related to organizational change initiatives, enterprise-wide projects, operational disruptions, and crisis and emergency communications. Integrate change management principles into communications planning and execution. Ensure all content adheres to legal, brand and security guidelines.
• Monitor communications performance metrics, audience engagement data and channel effectiveness, and recommend strategies to improve audience targeting, distribution timeliness, user engagement and overall communications impact.
• Help strengthen internal communications capabilities by developing and supporting content governance, editorial standards, best practices, tools, processes, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Communications Operations, Intake and Editorial Leadership: 20%

• Support the Senior Director in operational planning, prioritization and continuous improvement efforts for the internal communications function.
• Manage intake, assessment, prioritization and coordination of internal communications requests and workflows across UW Medicine.
• Oversee editorial planning, production schedules, content operations and workload distribution across writers and other contributors to ensure quality, responsiveness and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Evaluate communications requests and advise partners on communications timing, channels, audience targeting and strategic communications approaches.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve communications operations, editorial standards, governance processes, efficiencies, intake systems and cross-functional coordination.

Team Leadership and Collaboration: 15%

• Directly supervise, coach and mentor a talented team of writers as well as contractors and/or content contributors as needed.
• Manage hiring, onboarding and professional development.
• Ensure team performance, responsiveness and quality standards.
• Foster collaborative relationships across UW Medicine and serve as a trusted communications partner to leaders and project teams.
• Represent internal communications in meetings, workgroups and cross-functional initiatives as assigned.

Other Duties: 10%

• Perform related duties as assigned.

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, journalism, public relations or related field
• 5+ years of progressively responsible communications experience, preferably in a large, complex organization, with at least 3 years in a management role leading internal communications strategy and planning

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications will not be forwarded to the Hiring Manager.

Additional Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience developing and executing internal communications strategies and content
• Exceptional writing, editing and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy
• An authentically and consistently good listener
• Experience managing communications projects, editorial processes and review workflows
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, high-change environment, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, priorities and deadlines
• Strong organizational, analytical and project management skills
• Experience supporting executive communications and organizational initiatives
• Strong understanding of digital communications channels, intranet best practices and email communications platforms
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of equity, inclusive language and accessibility standards
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships across teams and organizational levels
• Sound judgment and ability to handle sensitive and confidential communications appropriately
• Proficiency with digital communications tools, content management systems and analytics platforms
• Experience supporting message-driving narratives using video, including writing, editing, and adapting scripts for live presentations, recorded video, and multimedia campaigns
• Demonstrated commitment to integrity and service-oriented collaboration
• Ability to occasionally work outside of typical business hours as needed to address urgent situations

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in strategic communications, business administration (MBA), public administration (MPA) or related field
• 10+ years of progressively responsible communications experience, with at least 5 years in a management role leading internal communications strategy and planning
• Experience working in a large academic health system, healthcare organization or higher education environment
• Experience supporting communications related to organizational change management initiatives
• Experience managing intranet content strategy or enterprise communications platforms
• Experience collaborating within highly matrixed organizations
• Familiarity with the AP style
• Experience with Simpplr, SharePoint or another content management system.
• Experience with email marketing platform like Marketo or Eloqua

Working Conditions

Ability to occasionally work outside of typical business hours as needed to address urgent situations. As an essential and hybrid position, the individual is required to work remotely when the University is under suspended operations due to inclement weather, etc.

Hybrid – Approximately one day per month at South Lake Union office and additional days as needed onsite for meetings at hospitals or the main campus and for interviewing, reporting, and/or multimedia creation.

About the 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.

UW Medicine’s Strategic Communications team plays a critical role in advancing the organization’s mission to improve the health of all people by delivering clear, timely, and effective communications to internal and external audiences. The team’s work spans media relations, internal and executive communications, hospital communications, crisis communications, social media engagement, and enterprise-wide digital platforms, ensuring our messaging remains closely aligned with leadership priorities and institutional strategy.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$115,200.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$138,540.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW 

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.  

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

Our Commitment 

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected]. 

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.