Senior Writer, School of Medicine - UW Medicine, Strategic Communications

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

UW Medicine Strategic Communications has an outstanding opportunity for a Senior Writer to join their team. Reporting to the Director of Internal Communications, the Senior Writer is responsible for creating compelling executive and organizational communications that help inform, engage, and connect audiences across UW Medicine and beyond. This role translates complex, sensitive, and time-sensitive information into clear, strategic messaging across written, digital, presentation, and multimedia formats. The Senior Writer plays a visible role in shaping communications that support senior leaders, strengthen organizational alignment, and advance UW Medicine’s mission through engaging content, thoughtful storytelling and strong editorial judgment. A primary area of responsibility will be developing internal and executive communications for the UW School of Medicine.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with emphasis on communications, writing, public relations, journalism, or related field.
Three to four years of demonstrated success with organizational and executive communications for a healthcare organization and developing written and video content on behalf of C-suite leaders.
Experience in interfacing directly with executives and managing high-profile projects.
Experience in developing PowerPoint presentations on behalf of senior leaders.
Experience in developing organization-wide emails on behalf of senior leaders.
Experience ensuring messaging is consistent, inclusive, and accessible across major channels and audiences.
Prior experience includes a sole – or primary – focus on writing.
Experience working on a team of writers.
Proven ability to collaborate seamlessly with peers.
High level of computer literacy skills, including experience with MS Office Suite.
Extensive experience writing and editing organizational and leadership communication materials with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
Experience supporting message-driving narratives using video, including writing, editing, and adapting scripts for live presentations, recorded video, and multimedia campaigns.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume and often ambiguous/fast-changing environment.
Ability to work independently and within a team-based, collaborative environment.
Ability to occasionally work outside of typical business hours as needed to address urgent situations.
Ability to proactively identify communications opportunities and develop supporting materials.
Exceptionally strong communication (oral and written), writing, visual, and organizational skills.
Ability to write material relevant for diverse audiences.
Ability to implement and deliver on aggressive timelines.
Proven ability to multi-task, adjust to diverse roles and remain comfortable in a dynamic environment.

Nice To Haves

Five to eight years of demonstrated success with organizational and executive communications for an academic organization, writing on behalf of C-suite leaders.
Five years of communications experience in an academic health system.
Experience working in a large, multi-faceted academic health system.
Demonstrated experience in video creation, including scripting, storyboarding, directing, or producing.
Familiarity with video editing tools and production workflows (e.g., Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro) is a plus.
Experience in mission-driven organizations.
Familiarity with the AP style.
Experience with different communication tools, such as content management systems like SharePoint, Drupal, WordPress and Simpplr and email platforms such as Marketo.

Responsibilities

Draft and refine high-visibility communications on behalf of senior leaders across UW Medicine, ensuring each message reflects the leader’s voice, priorities, and intended audience.
Write and adapt content for speeches, talking points, presentations, videos, and multimedia campaigns that translate strategic priorities into clear, compelling messaging.
Navigate a variety of topics and translate complex and sensitive information into clear, concise, and strategic messages for internal and external audiences consistent with institutional priorities.
Guide message review and approval processes, exercising sound judgment to ensure communications are accurate, timely, polished, and aligned with institutional goals.
Create engaging, error-free content for a wide variety of audiences, including faculty, staff, physicians, nurses, researchers, students, and community members, and across channels and formats such as email, intranet, presentations, video, social media, and feature stories.
Develop, edit, proof, and fact-check content to ensure consistency with UW Medicine’s brand voice, style standards, and accessibility expectations.
Use communications platforms and digital tools to deliver targeted messaging, monitor engagement, and coordinate timing and channel strategy with communications partners.
Build and maintain effective working relationships with leaders, faculty, staff, and other constituents across UW Medicine to stay informed on priorities and emerging communications needs.
Provide editorial review and strategic communications consultation to help colleagues and partners strengthen message clarity, effectiveness, and audience alignment.
Support urgent and sensitive communications needs by helping develop and deliver timely, accurate messaging for emerging issues and in critical situations.
Collaborate with leaders, subject matter experts, and communications partners on coordinated crisis and rapid-response communications efforts.
Perform related duties as assigned.
This position performs essential services and may be required to work during any period of declared suspended operation.