Manager, Communications

Sutter Health•Los Altos, CA

6d•$129,189 - $193,773

About The Position

In coordination with communications leadership and marketing colleagues, the Manager, Communications oversees the creation and execution of research-based communication plans, strategies, messaging, campaigns, activities, and events for Sutter Health stakeholder audiences. The role promotes Sutter Health’s brand and service lines through engaging content and works with multimedia, creative services, digital, social, brand, and other teams to implement communications across platforms and channels. It provides analytical support and guidance to multifunctional teams, supports business initiatives, and evaluates communications plans and materials for effectiveness and distribution efficiency. The manager may supervise communications staff and direct contract communications professionals, ensuring project deadlines and budgets are met. The position oversees communications planning and implementation, integrated project management, cross-functional collaboration, vendor relationships, research, and communications metrics. Depending on the assigned focus area, responsibilities may include executive communications, internal communications, media relations, enterprise strategy and market communications, physician and clinician engagement, or public affairs and issues management. The role also contributes to department operations, budget management, mentorship, training, and continuous improvement. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in communications, English, journalism, public relations, or a related field, or equivalent experience in lieu of the degree, and eight years of recent relevant experience. It is a regular, exempt, full-time position with a day shift, Monday through Friday schedule, 40 weekly hours, and occasional weekend requirements. The posted annual pay range is $129,188.80 to $193,772.80; eligible positions include a comprehensive benefits package.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, English, journalism, public relations, or a related field, or equivalent experience in lieu of the degree.
Eight years of recent relevant experience.
Comprehensive knowledge of strategic communications planning, social networking, corporate identity and graphic standards, graphic design principles, writing and editing, publications, photography, audio/video production, audience-list maintenance, and special events coordination.
Thorough understanding of communications planning, graphic design and production, multimedia, brand management, publications, digital channels, special events, leadership presentations, and research.
Expert written, verbal, interpersonal, presentation, and negotiation skills, including the ability to translate corporate goals into effective communications and constituent-relations plans.
Business acumen and exceptional analytical skills, with the ability to develop innovative communications solutions to complex problems and meet business objectives.
Understanding of regional, state, and national healthcare and medicine issues, Northern California current events, and cultural and healthcare trends.
Exceptional attention to detail, time management, and organizational skills, including the ability to maintain production schedules and meet multiple timelines and budgets.
Working knowledge of selecting and hiring third-party talent for creative services, graphic design and production, publication development and management, market research, and advertising.
Proficient computer skills, advanced competency in Microsoft Office, and solid knowledge of graphic design, data management, and statistical analysis software.
Ability to synthesize information across subject areas and create communications plans that provide an engaging and positive reader experience.
Ability to articulate a vision, explain complex business ideas in accessible terms, understand target audience attitudes and preferences, and work with staff at all organizational levels.
Ability to manage, prioritize, adapt to, and drive numerous projects with changing priorities while delivering quality communications on time and within budget.
Ability to foster collaboration and influence individuals or groups with diverse opinions without direct authority.
Ability to negotiate effectively with staff, senior management, vendors, media partners, external agencies, and organizations; identify and resolve technical, operational, and organizational problems; and build effective working relationships with stakeholders and industry influencers.

Nice To Haves

Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from PRSA.

Responsibilities

Oversee and prioritize the conceptualization, development, and implementation of communications campaigns that advance Sutter Health’s mission, strategic vision, and plan.
Ensure communications deliverables are accurate, timely, within budget, aligned with quality and strategic goals, and compliant with editorial guidelines and brand standards.
Manage project issues, risks, scope changes, resources, timelines, budgets, and vendor, freelance, and agency relationships.
Conduct or advance research and audits to assess the effectiveness of communications strategies and channels, brand reputation, employee perceptions, and communications preferences.
Oversee integrated marketing and communications projects, campaigns, programs, and functional teams across enterprise, market, ambulatory, acute, and freestanding entities.
Define clear and attainable project objectives and coordinate with internal and contracted teams and cross-functional departments to reduce risk, maximize benefits, and control costs.
For executive communications, identify strategic communications and presentation opportunities; develop executive messaging, speeches, and visual presentations; support executive social media; coordinate events and visits; arrange presentation and media coaching; and oversee the executive subject matter expert bureau.
For internal communications, advise leaders on employee and constituent messaging; support HR communications; manage employee and manager engagement strategies; oversee internal content, editorial calendars, and platforms; support internal issues and crisis communications; and develop stories about Sutter Health employees and patients.
For media relations, serve as an organizational spokesperson; support media training and priority messaging; develop media and public relations plans; create and coordinate content for traditional, owned, broadcast, radio, and social channels; and adjust priorities to changing trends and needs.
For enterprise strategy and market communications, plan and implement internal and external communications for assigned markets; support enterprise strategy and operational priorities; coordinate integrated storytelling and public relations; and advise system and market leaders.
For physician and clinician engagement, develop communications supporting physician engagement, patient experience, and clinician communications; evaluate related metrics; support key meetings and events; and coordinate communications with medical group leaders.
For public affairs and issues management, develop multi-audience communications and media strategies with leadership and legal counsel; manage media responses on reputational issues; support external partnerships; serve as or prepare spokespeople; identify digital and social media opportunities; and consult on crisis communications.
Foster a collaborative, creative work environment and integrate messaging across public affairs, communications, and marketing strategies.
Encourage team members’ development, communication and writing skills, informed risk-taking, and customer service; mentor and train colleagues; and cultivate stories for systemwide audiences.
Oversee quantitative and qualitative metrics to evaluate communications engagement, effectiveness, and processes, and identify opportunities to improve strategies.
Balance project requests against resources, business roadmaps, healthcare trends, and operational requirements.
Contribute to department operations, including budget management and continuous improvement.