Director Of Hospital Communications

Req #: 240463Department: SCHOOL OF MEDICINEJob Location Detail: Hybrid EligiblePosting Date: 10/31/2024Closing Info:

Open Until FilledSalary: $11,500 - $12,750 per monthShift: First ShiftAs 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, including brand and marketing strategy, news and media relations, internal and crisis communications, web development, UX/DX strategies, social media, writing, and graphic design. Our success lies in our core values: respect, teamwork, creativity, continuous improvement, and focus on diversity, equity & inclusion, that are reflected in all that we do.Harborview Medical Center is a comprehensive healthcare facility dedicated to providing specialized care for a broad spectrum of patients from throughout the Pacific Northwest, including the most vulnerable residents of King County. Harborview is the only designated Level I adult and pediatric trauma and verified burn center in the state. Patients given priority for care include the non-English speaking poor; the uninsured or underinsured, victims of domestic violence or sexual assault; people incarcerated in King County's jails; people with mental illness or substance abuse problems, particularly those treated involuntarily; people with sexually transmitted diseases; and those who require specialized emergency, trauma or burn care. Harborview recognizes that delivering quality healthcare is enhanced by a strong commitment to teaching, community service and research.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 – designing bold and innovative solutions – as well as 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 interacts with leadership, faculty, and staff across multiple UW Medicine entities and works particularly closely with UW Medicine’s Directors of Internal Communications and Media Relations and Harborview’s CEO, Chief Administrative Officer, Associate Administrator and Communications Specialist. Harborview is owned by King County, governed by a county-appointed board of trustees and managed under contract by the University of Washington. The medical center plans and coordinates with Public Health Seattle and King County, other County agencies, community providers, and area hospitals, to provide programs and services. As such, this person will need to collaboratively and skillfully manage communications that involve and/or impact the various entities involved with Harborview.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.We are excited to find a key partner to fill this essential new role on our team. A commitment to integrity, kindness, the ability to have fun, and the ability to enjoy a team of mission-driven colleagues will be valued.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, including for Town Halls, op-eds, Board of Trustees, Advisory Committees, external and internal events, and ceremonies.

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 that aligns with hospital-specific goals and priorities and adjust format as appropriate to reach different audiences.

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

Support ongoing and urgent communications needs, including those related to construction, parking, facility closing and openings, police activity, and more.

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

Use email platforms, the intranet and other channels to target and send messages to the workforce and external audiences, ensuring timely delivery.

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 and experience supporting executive communications. 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, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, priorities and daily content deadlines.

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

A strategic and resourceful problem-solver.

Strong writer and oral communicator, able to write and edit content quickly and accurately.

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. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

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