Director of Marketing and Health Communications

University of Wisconsin Madison • Madison, WI

4d

About The Position

The Director of Marketing & Health Communications leads the Health and Wellbeing communications team within Student Affairs, integrating the marketing and communication operations of University Health Services (UHS) and Recreation & Wellbeing (Rec Well). Reporting directly to the Chief of Staff, Student Affairs, Health & Wellbeing, the Director provides strategic oversight and day-to-day leadership for a combined team of 10 professional staff and approximately 20 student employees, while directly supervising two staff members. The role combines team leadership with direct execution of high-priority communications initiatives, with a focus on communication strategy, staff development, workload prioritization, and brand management across two campus brands.

The Director oversees executive messaging, internal communications, media relations, advancement support, crisis communications, and public health communications, including emergency messaging for communicable disease response. The role also guides marketing strategies that support revenue-generating Rec Well programs, memberships, and services. The position is based in University Health Services, Chief of Staff, and reports to the Chief of Staff, Student Affairs, Health & Wellbeing.

The minimum salary is $105,000, with final salary based on experience and qualifications. The position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health, dental, vision, and life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System pension fund. The University is a qualified employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Temporary Expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs.

Requirements

• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, public relations, health communications, or a related field.
• Experience directly supervising and managing staff, including performance management, coaching, and staff development.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects, prioritizing competing workloads, and planning and executing multi-channel marketing or communications campaigns.
• Exceptional ability to develop, write, edit, and deliver clear and effective communications across a range of audiences and communication channels.
• Experience leading communications initiatives in complex environments with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Bachelor's degree required.

Nice To Haves

• Professional experience in higher education, student affairs, public health, or healthcare.
• Experience supporting marketing strategies for revenue-generating programs or facilities.
• Knowledge of public health communication practices, including crisis communications or emergency health messaging.
• Experience supporting advancement, fundraising, or donor relations.
• Experience managing organizational change or large-scale internal communications initiatives.
• Knowledge of communication technologies and channels, with experience using them strategically to reach organizational goals and audiences.
• Experience advising institutional leaders or senior executives on communication strategy and messaging.

Responsibilities

• Develop executive communications, talking points, and leadership updates for Health & Wellbeing and Student Affairs leaders.
• Serve as the primary communications contact for media inquiries and class project requests related to campus health, wellness, and recreation, partnering with University Communications as needed.
• Use health communications team expertise to build guidelines for crisis messaging, emergency communications, and rapid-response public health announcements.
• Exercise supervisory authority over at least 2.0 FTE employees, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and approving hours worked.
• Identify, establish, and direct media relationships and partnerships with internal and external sources.
• Assess and streamline merged operational workflows, approval processes, and communication channels between UHS and Rec Well.
• Identify, propose, and implement new or revived operational policies and procedures.
• Audit and direct day-to-day operational plans to align with strategic initiatives and meet established objectives.
• Develop, implement, and monitor strategic communication initiatives for designated audiences and internal stakeholders to maximize engagement and strengthen collaboration.
• Develop and execute marketing campaigns supporting Rec Well revenue-generating programs, services, facilities, and memberships.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with campus partners, student organizations, and external community groups.
• Lead annual communication planning with UHS and Rec Well leadership, identifying communication priorities and developing a shared editorial calendar.
• Support advancement and fundraising efforts by developing stories, impact reports, and donor materials in collaboration with Student Affairs and the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off.
• Health insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Tax-advantaged savings accounts.
• Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System pension fund.
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Temporary Expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director