MANAGER UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Are you passionate about storytelling, brand elevation, collaboration, and communications strategies that drive impact? UTHealth Houston is seeking a dynamic Manager of University Communications to lead our internal communications.

About Us :

• UTHealth Houston is a leading academic health science center, committed to advancing research, education, and patient care.
• Our vibrant community fosters innovation, collaboration, and excellence.

Role Overview :

As the Manager of University Communications, you'll play a pivotal role in amplifying UTHealth Houston's mission through strategic communications that inform and engage students, trainees, faculty, and staff.

You will lead a small team of storytellers and content curators, manage and maintain the university's intranet and other essential communication channels, and ensure best practices in creating and distributing effective email newsletters.

A people-first approach, organization, and attention to detail are essential to the role.

This is a full-time role with the flexibility to create a hybrid schedule. It is salaried and classified as exempt. The Manager of University Communications is eligible for benefits.

All candidates must provide writing samples to be considered for the position, which can be attached and uploaded into the system through the File Attachments section.

This is the same way you uploaded your resume.

Cover letters are highly recommended - tell us what you would bring to the role and why you want to join the UTHealth Houston team.

The easiest way to attach a cover letter for this role would be to upload a resume and writing samples through the File Attachments section of the application.

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas' resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care.

That's where you come in.

Once you join us, you won't want to leave. It's because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you'd expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus :

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave days, both vacation and sick time - all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you'll accrue!
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service)
• Build your future with our awesome retirement / pension plan!

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees' well-being is important to us. We offer work / life services such as...

• Free financial and legal counseling
• Free mental health counseling services
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
• Other employee discounts include entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
• Resources for child and elder care
• Plus, many more!

Position Summary :

The Manager of University Communications is responsible for elevating the brand by developing and implementing internal communications strategies that inform and engage students, faculty, and staff at UTHealth Houston.

This role manages the university's intranet and other communication platforms.

Position Key Accountabilities :

Oversees all content created by the team to ensure it is factual, engaging, and in compliance with brand standards. Contributes to maintaining websites and web accessibility standards.

Writes news / feature articles, mass emails, website content, scripts, and speeches and curates school- and clinic-based publications content.

Leads the development and coordination of internal communication strategies and campaigns, as well as the day-to-day activities of the University Communications Team.

Creates long-range plans for internal communication channels, assigning stories and tasks and creating original content to bolster the UTHealth Houston brand through timely, accurate, and compelling communications.

Serves as counsel with executive leadership, faculty, staff, and students to develop, manage, and communicate institutional-wide strategic messages.

Generates appropriate strategies and tactics to enhance communications-related promotional plans, goals, and materials; prepares reports and metrics.

• Builds strong relationships and collaborates on news opportunities with school-based communications teams, clinical practices, administrative departments, councils, and committees for faculty, staff, and students.
• Leads emergency communications relating to campus safety and compliance with state and federal requirements at the direction of the university and departmental leadership.

Serves as a key point of contact during emergencies, disseminating safety information across multiple communication channels in a timely fashion.

• Creates high-level communications for various university communities, including legislative mandates and institutional compliance updates.
• Conducts interviews with faculty, staff, students, clinical practice, and other appropriate sources, such as donors and patients, sometimes concerning sensitive information.
• Provides overall project management for assigned communication initiatives and manages project budgets, timelines, and the evaluation of project work.
• Manages department human resources activities in regard to recruiting and selection, hiring and termination, training, professional development, mentoring, counseling, performance evaluations, and salary planning.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification / Skills :

• Superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven news and feature writing skills.
• Superior knowledge and experience in website content management systems.
• Strong knowledge of brand standards and AP Style.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products and platforms.
• Experience in Adobe Creative Suite.
• Experience in emergency communications management.
• Experience working within project management platforms.
• Experience with metric and analytic platforms.
• Proficient management skills and ability to lead a team of communication professionals.
• Organized and deadline-driven.
• Experienced with multi-tasking and operating in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to enhance innovation through internal communication.
• Superior knowledge and experience in website content management systems.
• Experience with email marketing tools and communication software, CRM systems.
• Experience in photography and graphic design for the web preferred.
• Exhibits required job knowledge.
• Demonstrates personal effectiveness and accountability.
• Delivers quality student, patient, and customer services.
• Exhibits teamwork and collaboration.
• Exemplifies strong ethics, dignity, and respect for others.
• Adheres to all work environment, health, safety, and compliance standards.
• Leads and develops others.
• Recognizes meritorious performance and makes informed workforce decisions.
• Sets vision, strategy, and priorities for areas of responsibility.

Minimum Education :

At least a Bachelor's degree in English, journalism, communications, marketing or a related field required.

Minimum Experience :

Five (5) years of increasing responsibilities in public relations, communications, marketing, community engagement, writing / editing, or other related fields are required.

Management Experience is preferred.

Physical Requirements :

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and / or up to 10 pounds frequently and / or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive :

This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code 51.215

Residency Requirement :

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.