Communications Manager

Job Details

Job Category:Academic Staff

Employment Type:Regular

Job Profile:Communications Manager

Job Summary:

The Wisconsin Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) and the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health (WORH) are seeking a dynamic, collaborative Communications Manager to lead statewide communication efforts that strengthen learner recruitment, partner engagement, and public visibility. This role is shared equally between AHEC and WORH and plays a key part in advancing health equity and rural health initiatives across Wisconsin. The primary home for this position is on the Wisconsin AHEC team, and the primary supervisor will be the Statewide Director of Wisconsin AHEC.

• This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.
• Additional travel requirements will involve onsite visits to different AHEC Centers, program events, and WORH partner hospitals across the state of Wisconsin.
• Must provide a valid driver's license. Employees may use their own transportation or receive approval for University Car Fleet usage. Employment is conditional pending the results of a Pre-hire Driver Authorization Check (click on “Become an authorized driver;” then click on “Required criteria”).

In this position, you will develop and execute comprehensive communications strategies, manage digital and print outreach, and ensure consistent, accessible, and compelling messaging across both units. You’ll work closely with teams across the state to identify editorial needs, craft high‑quality content, and maintain strong brand and style standards.

This position is perfect for a creative communicator who thrives in mission‑driven environments and enjoys telling stories that elevate public health work statewide. Success in this role requires:

• Strong collaboration and relationship management skills to coordinate across a matrix organizational structure
• Strong project management and process improvement skills to oversee simultaneous and sometimes interdependent project timelines
• Adaptability and change management skills to lead through shifting priorities or ambiguity
• Ability to provide advisement, coaching, tools, or training to support staff and program implementation
• Ability to apply editorial judgement (for example, in the use of generative AI tools)

Candidates who demonstrate the following will be given first consideration:

• Ability to translate complex information to on-the-ground impact in Wisconsin Rural communities through clear and compelling storytelling
• Ability to apply plain language principles and accessible design practices for ADA compliance
• Mission-centered insights and reporting to inform strategic planning and prioritization
• Website content management using WordPress
• Graphic design using Adobe Suite or Canva

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Develops, implements, and delivers communication materials through various mediums to designated audiences
• Plans, writes, and edits content for various internal and external stakeholders
• Plans and directs unit programs and/or projects to ensure adherence to deadlines and budgets
• Serve as the Digital Accessibility Liaison for AHEC and the WORH
• Identifies, proposes, and implements new or revised unit operational policies and procedures
• Manages the day-to-day operational unit plans to align with strategic initiatives and to meet established objectives

Department:

School of Medicine and Public Health, Public Health & Community Engagement

The Wisconsin Area Health Education Centers Program (WI AHEC) and Wisconsin Office of Rural Health (WORH) are part of the Public Health & Community Engagement unit at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. WI AHEC and WORH are key partners focusing on strengthening rural healthcare by engaging in initiatives that improve access to and quality of healthcare in communities. WI AHEC drives health workforce education and training through a network of seven regional AHEC Centers and the WORH focuses on supporting the ongoing sustainability of rural hospitals, healthcare quality improvement, and provider placement.

Compensation:

The starting salary for the position is $70,000 annually; but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. For more information, refer to the campus benefits webpage and the SMPH Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 3 years of experience in communications, or outreach and engagement, directly supporting community organizations and/or educational institutions
• Experience with internal content management using a cloud-based productivity suite (e.g. Microsoft Office, Google)
• Experience creating multi-channel, multi-media communications for professional publication (e.g. press releases, blogs, social media, website, infographics, outreach materials)
• Experience developing, applying, or enforcing brand guidelines

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in health outreach or community service programs is preferred; relevant experience in building relationships with rural health partners is strongly preferred
• Experience coordinating communication plans across multiple programs, functions, and/or site locations
• Experience developing, applying, or enforcing digital accessibility standards

Education:

Bachelor‘s Degree preferred; focus in Communications, Public Health, or Community Health preferred

How to Apply:

For the best experience completing your application, we recommend using Chrome or Firefox as your web browser.

To apply for this position, select either “I am a current employee” or “I am not a current employee” under . You will then be prompted to upload your application materials.

Important: The application has only one attachment field. Upload all required documents in that field, either as a single combined file or as multiple files in the same upload area.

Upload required documents:

• Cover letter (required)
• Resume (required)

Your cover letter should address how your training and experience align with the Required and Preferred Qualifications listed above. Application reviewers will rely on these written materials to determine which applicants move forward in the process. References will be requested from final candidates. All applicants will be notified once the search concludes and a candidate is selected.