Associate Director of Technology Communications

Job Description

UW Medicine Strategic Marketing and Communications has an outstanding opportunity for an Associate Director of Technology Communications to join their 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 UW Medicine’s Strategic Marketing and Communications (SMC) team plays a unique and vital role in advancing UW Medicine’s mission to improve the health of all people.  We advance UW Medicine’s mission 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 and inclusion, that are reflected in all that we do.

Reporting to the Director of Internal Communications, the Associate Director of Technology Communications holds a critical and strategic role within the Strategic Communications team, responsible for the creation, delivery and management of employee-facing communications associated with UW Medicine IT Services and Innovation Core. 

The Associate Director of Technology Communications serves as a strategic leader and hands-on practitioner responsible for developing, executing, and measuring an integrated internal communications program for IT Services and Innovation Core.

The Associate Director will work closely with IT and Innovation Core leadership, project teams, and communications partners to create communications strategies and plans that ensure the delivery of right-time, right-place, clear, compelling messages that support change initiatives, reinforce strategic priorities, and promote a strong internal brand for the value that IT Services and Innovation Core provide the organization.

This position proactively interacts with IT Services, Innovation Core and other UW Medicine leadership, project teams, employees and partners across multiple UW Medicine entities, including Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, UW Medicine Primary Care, UW Physicians, Airlift Northwest, and the UW School of Medicine. The position collaborates closely with members of the strategic communications, information technology and Innovation Core teams as well as clinical and operational leaders.

This position requires a deep understanding of communications, information technology and technology change management strategy; internal, employee-facing content; and executive and strategic communications needs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Technology Communications Development, Strategy & Planning (50%)

• Build and lead an integrated communications strategy that elevates understanding of IT Services and Innovation Core-related products, platforms, and long-term technology enablements, communicates the value of these efforts across UW Medicine (and with executives, operations, partners, and IT Services employees) and demonstrates alignment with and support for UW Medicine objectives.
• Partner with IT and Innovation Core leadership to identify key priorities, audiences and desired outcomes for communications initiatives.
• Identify critical, impactful initiatives and their significance to UW Medicine’s mission, values and strategic direction, and report on these to other leaders in UW Medicine via the President’s Report.
• Create communications plans, including messaging frameworks.
• Develop, lead and execute communications strategy and planning around product innovation and launches, customer-facing processes to ensure awareness, change management, and also convey customer benefit and value of these to the organization.
• Identify, evaluate and manage budgets associated with communications deliverables, such as those that are part of product innovation and launches, employee awareness campaigns and change management.
• Lead and partner on executive and operational messages for IT Services and Innovation Core as part of technology implementations.
• Lead communications for large-scale technology projects.
• Lead communications for major IT crisis situations.
• Consult on large, impactful projects to support implementation and approach.
• Understand and work to incorporate the University’s long-standing commitment to diversity, ensuring access and opportunity for all individuals in all projects, products and interactions.
• Integrate change management principles into communications planning for major IT and Innovation Core initiatives.
• Develop standard templates and processes, along with editorial guidelines.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership on message development and delivery.
• Oversee and guide appropriate uses of internal communications infrastructure and standards for IT Services and Innovation Core communications (e.g., via Vitals, email or Marketo-based newsletters) to maximize engagement and clarity, reduce duplication, and ensure high-quality and effectiveness.
• Ensure coordination and alignment with UW Medicine communications strategies, messaging in partnership with Strategic Marketing and Communications.
• Establish metrics to assess communications effectiveness (open rates, engagement, feedback, etc.).
• Continue to refine strategies for increasing employee awareness, understanding and adoption of new and changing technologies.

Communications Execution (35%)

• Write, edit, and produce a range of internal (and, occasionally, external) communications, including leadership messages, Vitals intranet news content, talking points, FAQs, strategic outreach emails and more.
• Solicit and research information and ensure the highest standards of accuracy.
• Adhere to editorial guidelines, submission processes, and content production workflows, including reviews and approvals.
• Work cross-functionally to ensure all content adheres to legal, brand and security guidelines.
• Ensure messaging is consistent, inclusive, and accessible across major channels and audiences.

Outreach, Collaboration & Engagement (10%)

• Support monthly Site Executive meetings.
• Foster and build relationships with managers, IT and Innovation Core project teams, partners and leaders to identify communications needs and opportunities, and understand factors that influence successful implementation, including gathering and facilitating awareness, sharing, and feedback from partners and customers so these can be considered in technology implementations.
• Build avenues for multi-directional communications.
• Identify and attend regular IT and Innovation Core meetings to understand opportunities and discover information that will benefit internal audiences.
• Identify opportunities to provide coaching and resources on developing and executing effective internal communications.
• Collaborate with internal communications, HR, UW-IT and other partners to align messages, avoid duplication and use central platforms and infrastructures to communicate effectively.

Other Duties (5%)

• Ultimately support and advance the mission of UW Medicine.
• Related duties as assigned.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

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 (with the option for more days in-office as desired) and minimum one day per month at UW Tower with ITS leadership. This position may need to sometimes be onsite locally for interviewing, reporting, and/or multimedia creation.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, English, Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field.
• At least five years of progressively responsible technology communications experience, with at least 3 years in a management role leading internal communications strategy and planning for an IT organization.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing communications strategies for technology organizations.
• Familiarity with IT concepts, systems and services, including ITIL, COBIT, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, enterprise applications, digital transformation, AI, generative AI, machine learning, natural language processing, Enterprise AI applications, and ethical and compliance considerations of AI.
• Prior experience in change management related to technology rollouts.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards and inclusive communications practices.
• Excellent writing, editing, and presentation skills with ability to translate technical concepts into accessible language.
• Creating and managing key business partner engagement plans.
• Prior experience working in a large, complex organization.
• Prior work in an academic or health system setting.
• Familiarity with the AP style.
• Experience with Simpplr and SharePoint or ServiceNow or another content management system.
• Experience with email marketing platforms like Marketo or Eloqua.
• Demonstrated and outstanding organizational and project management skills.
• An authentically and consistently good listener.
• Exceptional skills in relationship building and collaboration.
• A strong writer, able to quickly and accurately write and edit clean and compelling content.
• An effective public speaker who can manage and lead meetings related to large, impactful communications projects.
• Experience using analytics to assess the impact and effectiveness of content.
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, high-change environment with demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and have the flexibility to perform within an environment of changing needs and priorities.
• Ability to anticipate program needs, discern work priorities, and work cross-functionally.
• Ability to occasionally work outside of typical business hours as needed to meet deadlines and address urgent situations.
• Ability and willingness to create strong results with limited resources.
• High level of computer literacy skills, including experience with MS Office Suite, intranet platforms and key project management and presentation tools.
• Demonstrated commitment to integrity.
• Excellent research, writing and editing skills.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in strategic communications, business administration (MBA), information management or related field.
• 7-10 years of progressively responsible technology communications experience, with at least 5 years in a management role leading internal communications strategy and planning for an IT organization.
• Proficiency with intranet content management systems, email marketing platforms, and collaboration tools (e.g., SharePoint, Teams, Slack).

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$115,008.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$132,000.00 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.