Executive Director, Internal and Executive Communications (Hybrid) - WashU Medicine Marketing & Communications

Washington University in St. Louis•St. Louis, MO

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Executive Director of Internal & Executive Communications is responsible for leading the strategy, development, and execution of internal and executive communications for WashU Medicine. This role aims to advance a coordinated approach to central internal communications, fostering community, strengthening culture, and keeping faculty, staff, and trainees informed and connected to the institution’s priorities and values. Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Medical Campus Communications, the Executive Director also oversees executive communications as a core part of the internal strategy, ensuring that messaging from the Dean and executive leaders is aligned, intentional, and reinforces institutional priorities. The position serves as a senior advisor to executive leaders, maintaining an organization-wide perspective and integrating leadership messaging into a cohesive communications approach that supports multiple leaders across a complex, matrixed academic medical institution. Additionally, this role is crucial in supporting major institutional initiatives and organizational change through strategic communications that engage internal audiences.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree
5 years of Team Management experience
10 years of Marketing And Communications experience

Nice To Haves

Master's degree
15 years of Strategic Communications, Including Managing A Team experience
Brand Strategy
Communications Writing
Communication Tools
Confidentiality
Crisis Communication Management
Customer-Focused Leadership
Deadline Management
Editorial Editing
Effective Written Communication
Emerging Technology Trends
Executive Communications
Higher Education Public Relations
Innovating Ideas
Integrated Communication Strategies
Internal Communications
Interpersonal Communication
Interpersonal Dynamics
Journalism
Multichannel Communications
Organizational Changes
Project Management
Results-Oriented
Sensitive Information
Stakeholder Communications
Strategic Communication Management

Responsibilities

Develop and lead an enterprise-level internal communications strategy that strengthens culture, builds community and aligns faculty, staff and trainees with institutional priorities
Oversee messaging across central internal channels, including institution-wide newsletters, email communications and town halls, ensuring clarity, consistency and relevance for internal audiences
Serve as a strategic advisor to communicators across WashU Medicine’s 21 departments and other units, establishing best practices, governance and processes that strengthen the overall effectiveness of internal communications
Ensure communications are coordinated, audience-centered and aligned with leadership messaging and institutional priorities
Develop, edit and oversee production and delivery of a new WashU Medicine-wide newsletter and content hub, ensuring content is timely, accurate and aligned with audience needs
Direct internal communications planning, including editorial calendars and integrated campaign strategies that define goals, audiences, formats and timing
Support major institutional initiatives and organizational change through strategic communications that drive awareness, understanding and adoption
Develop and lead a comprehensive executive communications strategy that supports institutional priorities and ensures alignment across executive leadership
Serve as a strategic advisor to the Dean and executive leadership team, shaping messaging for high-impact moments and long-term organizational positioning
Oversee Dean communications, including speeches, remarks, talking points and key announcements
Create messaging frameworks that enable leaders to communicate authentically, consistently and effectively across channels
Partner in crisis communications and issues management, leading internal and executive messaging during high-impact or sensitive situations
Lead and mentor a high-performing communications team grounded in strong writing, strategic thinking and a commitment to excellence
Establish and advance standards for internal and executive communications, driving consistency, quality and alignment across the organization
Serve as a connective leader across the communications team, partnering closely with media relations, external communications and marketing leaders to ensure consistency between internal and external narratives
Build strong relationships across WashU Medicine departments, units and leadership teams to align messaging and priorities
Influence stakeholders across the organization to advance a coordinated, enterprise-wide communications approach
Establish, track and report on KPIs for internal and executive communications
Use data and insights to continuously refine strategies and improve engagement

Benefits

Up to 22 days of vacation
10 recognized holidays
Sick time
Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance
Free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees
Defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%
Wellness challenges
Annual health screenings
Mental health resources
Mindfulness programs and courses
Employee assistance program (EAP)
Financial resources
Access to dietitians
4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child
Family care resources for your continued childcare needs
Adult care resources
Tuition coverage for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us