Director, Public Relations/Communications

Director, Public Relations/Communications

Announcement

 Details 

Open Date  | 07/18/2025
Requisition Number  | PRN42582B
Job Title  | Director, Public Relations/Communications
Working Title  | Senior Director of Communications - HMHI
Job Grade  | H
FLSA Code  | Executive
Patient Sensitive Job Code?  | No
Standard Hours per Week  | 40
Full Time or Part Time?  | Full Time
Shift  | Day
Work Schedule Summary  | Monday – Friday | 8:00am – 5:00pm
VP Area  | U of U Health - Academics
Department  | 01757 - PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Location  | Campus
City  | Salt Lake City, UT
Type of Recruitment  | External Posting
Pay Rate Range  | $130,000 - $140,000
Close Date  | 10/18/2025
Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)  |

Job Summary 
The senior director of marketing and communications at Huntsman Mental Health Institute is a strategic leader and thought partner who is a member of the executive leadership team. This position is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy that advances the organization’s mission, enhances its reputation, and drives engagement with key stakeholders. The senior director of marketing and communications will work cross-functionally to support all areas of the institute’s missions including clinical, research, education, and community collaboration.

Responsibilities  | Essential Functions -

Internal Communications
· Develop and implement effective internal communication strategies to align employees with the organization’s goals, values, and culture.
· Enhance the flow of information across departments, promoting transparency and collaboration within the organization.
· Draft and oversee the distribution of executive communications, including memos, announcements, presentations, and newsletters.
· Monitor and refine message delivery to ensure resonance with diverse internal audiences.
· Create internal communication campaigns to communicate HMHI’s strategy and drive alignment amongst faculty and staff.
· Collaborate cross functionally amongst HMHI’s missions to support enterprise-wide initiatives.
· Lead internal communications strategies to engage and inform staff and foster transparency and alignment across the organization through channels such as town halls and newsletters.

External Communications
· Lead the development of external communication strategies to enhance the organization’s reputation and public image.
· Oversee the creation of press releases, media kits, speeches, and other external-facing materials.
· Build and maintain strong relationships with media outlets, ensuring consistent and favorable coverage.
· Act as the organization’s spokesperson when required, handling sensitive communications with poise and professionalism.
· Work closely with senior director of public policy on aligning internal and external communications to public policy initiatives.
· Collaborate effectively with the institute’s external stakeholders which include foundation partners, donors, leaders across campus and beyond.
· Develop and implement strategies that elevate the organization’s profile among key stakeholders, including patients, donors, partners, and the broader community.
Marketing
· Develop and execute marketing strategies that promote clinical programs and services, driving patient engagement, referral growth, and community awareness.
· Budget oversight and forecasting staffing and operating budget needed to fulfill clinical marketing objectives.
· Markets and promotes new and existing programs and services to patients.
· Aligns with institutional messaging in public-facing marketing materials.

Team Leadership
· Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing communications and marketing team, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and excellence.
· Set clear goals and expectations for the team, conducting regular performance evaluations to track progress and growth.
· Encourage professional development by providing opportunities for training and skill enhancement.
· Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure consistency and integration of messaging across all platforms.
· Manage a budget that is aligned with institutional goals and needs.

DISCLAIMER
This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency typically required
Nearly Continuously: Office environment.

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required
Nearly Continuously: Sitting, hearing, listening, talking.Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking.Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.

Minimum Qualifications  | Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related area, or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience); eight years of progressively more responsible management experience; and demonstrated leadership, human relations and effective communications skills required.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.
Preferences  | · Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate communication needs and challenges.
· Natural leader with a track record of inspiring and managing teams effectively.
· Proficiency in communication tools and technologies, including content management systems, intranet platforms, and analytics tools.
· Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships at all levels of the organization.
· Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Type  | Benefited Staff
Special Instructions Summary  | Please submit your resume, cover letter, and portfolio of relevant work samples to kathy.wilets@hsc.utah.edu. We look forward to learning more about your qualifications and how you can drive our communications strategy forward.

Additional Information  
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.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.

All qualified individuals are strongly 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 (OEO/AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/
Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu

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Posting Specific Questions

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Applicant Documents

 University Human Resource Management 
 250 East 200 South, Suite 125 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
 Contact us: (801) 581-2169 By Email: employment@utah.edu