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Details

**Open Date** 11/21/2025

**Requisition Number** PRN43665B

**Job Title** Public Relations Management

**Working Title** Assoc Dir - Internal Comms

**Career Progression Track** M00

**Track Level** M5 - Associate Director

**FLSA Code** Administrative

**Patient Sensitive Job Code?** No

**Standard Hours per Week** 40

**Full Time or Part Time?** Full Time

**Shift** Day

Work Schedule Summary

**VP Area** U of U Health - Academics

**Department** 01886 - HS Internal Communications

**Location** Campus

**City** Salt Lake City, UT

**Type of Recruitment** External Posting

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

**Close Date** 12/05/2025

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)

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.

**Type** Benefited Staff

Special Instructions Summary

Additional Information

_The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students from diverse backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education for historically underrepresented students._

_Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, such as minorities, women, qualified persons with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities._

_The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both._

_To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action:_

_Director/ Title IX Coordinator_

_Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action ( OEO /AA)_

_383 University Street, Level 1 OEO Suite_

_Salt Lake City, UT 84112_

_801-581-8365_

[email protected]_

_Online reports may be submitted at_ **oeo.utah.edu**

_For more information:_

https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/

_To inquire about this posting, email:_

[email protected]

_or call 801-581-2300._

_The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules._

_This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen._

_https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South._