"Assoc Dir - Internal Comms"

Job Details

Assoc Dir - Internal Comms

Job Summary

The Associate Director of Internal Communications & Employee Engagement serves as a strategic leader responsible for shaping and executing communication strategies that advance University of Utah Health's mission. This role primarily focuses on building and leading systems that make communication across the organization effective, consistent, and impactful. Partnering with the Director of Internal Communication, the Associate Director will help oversee all aspects of internal communications—establishing frameworks, processes, and resource allocation to ensure communication initiatives are executed with precision and efficiency. By advising senior leaders, managing a high-performing team, and ensuring alignment across projects, this role directly supports employee engagement and organizational effectiveness.

Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu

Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Strategic Communication Leadership: Develop and implement comprehensive communication strategies that connect organizational priorities with employees across all levels of the organization. Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders and teams, crafting clear, authentic, and actionable messaging for system-wide initiatives, leadership announcements, and organizational updates.
• Operational Oversight: Build and manage systems for project intake, prioritization, and resource allocation to maximize the efficiency and impact of communication initiatives. Establish standards, processes, and templates that ensure consistency, timeliness, and quality across all teams and channels.
• Executive Counsel: Advise senior leaders on effective communication approaches, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with institutional goals.
• Team Leadership: Direct, mentor, and support a team of communications professionals, fostering accountability, creativity, and professional growth.
• Measurement and Improvement: Establish metrics and evaluation methods to track communication effectiveness and inform continuous improvement.
• Change and Crisis Communication: Lead communication planning and execution for organizational change, sensitive issues, and crisis situations.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with departments across the health system (e.g., HR, operations, clinical and academic leadership) to ensure communications are integrated, strategic, and supportive of broader initiatives.
• Innovation and Process Building: Introduce new tools, workflows, and methods that strengthen the internal communication function and scale effectively across the organization.

Minimum Qualifications

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Associate Director, Public Relations Management: Requires a bachelor's in communications, public relations, marketing, business, or related field + 10 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 8 years of directly related work experience.

• Proven ability to design and implement communication strategies that address organizational challenges and drive engagement.
• Strong operational and project management skills, with experience building systems and processes that improve efficiency and impact.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage resources, and deliver results in complex organizations.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience in healthcare, higher education, or similarly complex environments preferred.

Preferences

• Experience with project management frameworks, communication planning tools, and enterprise-wide platforms.
• Experience with presentation and design software (e.g., PowerPoint, Photoshop, InDesign).
• Track record of successfully leading operational improvements in communication teams or functions.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Crisis communication experience preferred.

Special Instructions

Requisition Number: PRN43665B

Full Time or Part Time? Full Time

Work Schedule Summary:

Department: 01886 - HS Internal Communications

Location: Campus

Pay Rate Range: $80,000.00 - $88,000.00

Close Date: 12/5/2025

Open Until Filled:

To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/192487