Program Manager, Communications

Sutter Health•Sacramento, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Manager, Executive Communications is an internally focused role responsible for planning, writing, coordinating and executing executive communications across multiple internal channels and for multiple internal audiences. This role partners closely with the Manager, Executive Communications and Director, Executive Communications & Visibility to ensure executive communications are clear, accurate, well sequenced and consistently delivered. The Program Manager plays a critical role in helping internal audiences understand the perspectives of senior leaders. You support the development of executive communications by writing about executive points of view with clarity and nuance, ensuring intent, context and emphasis are accurately conveyed, even when deadlines are urgent or information is still taking shape. A core expectation of this role is the ability to write in the executive’s voice. All content must sound like it comes directly from the leader, reflecting their tone, style and way of thinking. This role requires close attention to voice consistency, word choice and rhythm, and the ability to adapt writing to different executives while maintaining authenticity under tight timelines. The role also calls for a creative mindset focused on impact. You should look for thoughtful ways to improve how executive communications engage internal audiences, helping messages feel intentional, relevant and grounded in the current environment. You should bring strong organizational discipline, sound judgment and a collaborative approach to the position. You must be comfortable operating behind the scenes in fast-moving environments, managing complex details, shifting timelines and multiple contributors. Much of this work is developed and delivered on weekly and monthly timelines, with multiple communications in progress at the same time. You must also be comfortable working directly in digital newsletter production and distribution tools. This role is highly collaborative and execution focused. It requires strong communication skills, attention to detail and the ability to work across teams while balancing competing priorities.

Requirements

Equivalent experience will be accepted in lieu of the required degree or diploma.
Bachelor's: Communications, English, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations (PR), or related field.
5 years of recent relevant experience.
Knowledge of strategic communications planning; social networking; graphic standards and corporate identity management; graphic design principles and production; news, feature, leadership presentations; script writing and editing techniques; publications development, production, and management; principles of photography and audio/video production; Web site development and maintenance; audience list maintenance, and special events coordination.
Professional communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills, presentation and negotiation competencies, with the ability to interpret corporate goals and translate them into an effective communications/constituent relations plan.
Current knowledge of regional, state and national health care and medicine issues, Northern California current events, and cultural and health care trends.
Business acumen and exceptional analytic skills with the proven ability to provide innovative communication solutions to complex problems and to meet business objectives.
Exceptional attention to detail with time management and organization skills, including the demonstrated ability to maintain production schedules and strictly adhere to multiple timelines and budgets.
Functional knowledge of selecting/hiring third-party talent for creative services, graphic design and production, publication development and management, market research and advertising.
Understanding of and experience with Lean or other process improvement philosophies and methodologies.
Competency in Microsoft Office suite, including working knowledge of graphic design, data management, and statistical analysis software.
Assess and understand target audience attitudes, opinions, and preferences; and then, develop communications to build consensus, awareness, or inform.
Energize, mobilize, and influence by fostering productive and collaborative working relationships with internal and external constituencies, including the effective management of resources.
Synthesize information and ideas across a variety of subject matter areas and to create communication plans that generate an engaging and positive reader experience.
Manage, prioritize and drive multiple projects in an ever-changing environment to deliver quality products and services on-time and on-budget.
Negotiate effectively with staff, senior management, vendors, media partnerships, external agencies and organizations.
Identify and solve complex problems, generate actionable recommendations, and make informed decisions based on the analysis of multiple sources of information while providing new perspectives on existing solutions.
Build collaborative working relationships with peers, other departments, stakeholders, management, and vendors to achieve marketing goals and corporate objectives.

Nice To Haves

Comfortable working directly in digital newsletter production and distribution tools.
Calm, reliable presence in fast paced, changing environments, with the flexibility to adapt as priorities shift and the steadiness to work through frequent and urgent review cycles on highly visible executive communications.
Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust across teams and roles while working closely with leaders, executive consultants, subject matter experts and Communications partners.
Confident working behind the scenes, supporting high visibility leaders and approaching feedback and edits as a core part of producing strong executive communications.
Proactive problem solver, who anticipates needs, identifies risks early and takes ownership to keep work moving.
Creative mindset focused on audience impact, with curiosity about how structure, format and storytelling choices can improve engagement and clarity.
Comfortable using AI and emerging tools as a practical aid with care taken to ensure accuracy, executive voice and confidentiality.
Strong sense of personal accountability and follow-through, with a willingness to ask questions, seek clarity and continuously improve the quality of work through iteration and feedback.

Responsibilities

Develop communications and engagement strategies and content for key Sutter Health Executive Leadership Team members
Proactively and strategically identify, evaluate and pursue communications, engagement and speaking opportunities for key senior executives that drive organizational strategy, increase system brand awareness and positively position Sutter Health as an industry leader with high-impact target audiences including business partners; employers; and business, government and community leaders
Write and edit executive speeches and develop inspiring and engaging content
Partner with social media team to build out and leverage social media platforms and strategy for senior executives
Enhance internal CEO and senior leader visibility through mutli-faceted communications (written, video, etc.)
Develop engaging presentations and materials about Sutter Health and customize for executives as needed
Provide and arrange for senior executive presentation and news media coaching