Assistant Vice President - External Relations

The University of Iowa; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Iowa Health Care invites applications for the position of Assistant Vice President, External Relations. This newly established role leads enterprise external relations, shaping policy engagement, reputation, and stakeholder partnerships across Iowa and beyond.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Legal Affairs and Chief Clinical Strategy Officer, the AVP will provide strategic counsel to executive leadership, coordinate cross‑functional engagement, and oversee

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public administration, political science, communications, business administration, health administration, public policy, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate enterprise external relations activities to strengthen UI Health Care’s reputation and relationships.
• Provide strategic counsel to executive leadership on external affairs, government, and public policy.
• Lead and coordinate legislative information requests and responses across stakeholders.
• Develop and implement operating approaches and standards for coordinated external engagement.

Skills

Relationship building

Strategic communication

Policy engagement

Leadership experience

Education

Master’s degree in public administration, political science, communications, business administration, health administration, public policy

Tools

None

Job description

Assistant Vice President - External Relations

University of Iowa Health Care is the state’s only comprehensive academic medical center, bringing together world‑class patient care, pioneering research, and outstanding education. As a nationally recognized leader in medicine, we offer opportunities to work alongside top experts in a collaborative, innovative environment that values excellence, compassion, and discovery. Join us in shaping the future of health care—while making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and communities across Iowa and beyond.

The Assistant Vice President, External Relations is a newly established position responsible for providing strategic leadership for advancing University of Iowa Health Care’s relationships with key external stakeholders to strengthen the institution's reputation, influence, and visibility at the local, state, regional, and national levels. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Legal Affairs and Chief Clinical Strategy Officer, this position develops and implements a comprehensive external relations strategy that supports UI Health Care's mission of excellence in patient care, education, research, and community engagement.

This position collaborates closely with Strategic Planning, Marketing & Communications, executive leadership, and other university partners to advance institutional priorities through coordinated external engagement. The role focuses on building strategic relationships, strengthening institutional reputation, supporting public policy engagement, cultivating relationships with corporate, civic, and community stakeholders, and increasing awareness of UI Health Care's impact across Iowa and beyond.

This opportunity honors the legacy of Stacey Cyphert, PhD, a 1990 graduate of the Department of Health Management and Policy and former Assistant Vice President for Health Policy in UI Health Care, whose career helped shape health policy in Iowa and strengthen relationships among University of Iowa Health Care and state and federal government.

The position may be based in Iowa City or Des Moines, Iowa. Regular travel between Iowa City and Des Moines, as well as travel around the state of Iowa, is required.

Position responsibilities:

Operational Leadership

Direct and coordinate enterprise external relations activities that strengthen University of Iowa Health Care’s reputation, influence, visibility, and relationships with key external stakeholders.

Provide strategic counsel to executive leadership on external affairs, government and public affairs, stakeholder engagement, reputation management, and relationship‑building opportunities.

Serve as a senior institutional representative with government officials, business and civic leaders, community organizations, health care organizations, and other external stakeholders, making commitments on behalf of UI Health Care within established areas of authority.

Lead and coordinate routine legislative and governmental information requests and responses, working collaboratively with University of Iowa, Board of Regents, and UI Health Care stakeholders to ensure timely, accurate, and consistent information.

Direct the development and implementation of operating approaches, processes, and standards that support coordinated external engagement across UI Health Care.

Identify, assess, and elevate emerging external issues and reputational risks, advising institutional leaders on appropriate strategies and responses.

Contribute to institutional policies, governance, and decision‑making related to external engagement, public affairs, executive visibility, and reputation management.

Establish approaches for tracking key stakeholder relationships, engagement activities, institutional opportunities, and external relations outcomes.

Use stakeholder intelligence, enterprise data, environmental trends, and evaluation results to inform executive decision‑making and institutional priorities.

Coordinate the External Relations Council and engage council members in all decision‑making related to external relations priorities, strategies, and major initiatives.

Strategic Planning

Develop and execute a comprehensive external relations strategy aligned with UI Health Care's mission, enterprise strategy, and reputation goals.

Contribute significantly to institutional strategic planning by identifying external opportunities, risks,relationships, and public policy considerations that may affect UI Health Care's priorities and long‑term success.

Establish multi‑year and annual external relations objectives, implement strategies to achieve those objectives, and assess progress and outcomes.

Anticipate emerging public policy, economic, political, health care, business, and community trends and assess their potential impact on UI Health Care.

Develop proactive strategies to strengthen UI Health Care's visibility, influence, relationships, and responsiveness in a changing external environment.

Advise executive leadership on opportunities to strengthen UI Health Care's role in statewide, regional, and national conversations related to health care, workforce, research, education, innovation, economic development, and community impact.

Coordinate external relations priorities with Marketing & Communications, Strategic Planning, university leadership, collegiate and unit leaders, and other institutional partners to ensure alignment and maximize strategic impact.

Lead complex, cross‑functional initiatives that require coordination among UI Health Care, University of Iowa, Board of Regents, government, business, community, and other external stakeholders.

Financial and Human Resource Stewardship

Develop and manage the external relations budget in alignment with institutional priorities, including resources supporting stakeholder engagement, strategic events, memberships, travel, convenings, executive outreach, and related activities.

Provide recommendations and make decisions regarding expenditures, contracts, sponsorships, memberships, and other investments supporting external relations priorities within established authority.

Ensure financial accountability, appropriate risk management, and responsible stewardship of resources supporting external relations activities.

Evaluate resource needs and recommend strategies to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and long‑term sustainability of external relations operations.

Provide leadership through influence and collaboration across teams and organizational boundaries, establishing clear expectations, shared priorities, and accountability for enterprise external relations initiatives.

Foster a collaborative culture that supports responsiveness, professional judgment, accountability, and effective service to UI Health Care and its stakeholders.

Communication and Outreach

Represent UI Health Care in high‑level government, business, civic, community, health care, and public engagement activities, including University and Board of Regents initiatives as appropriate.

Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key external stakeholders, including elected officials, government agencies, business and civic leaders, employers, community organizations, health care organizations, and other influential partners.

Strengthen relationships with corporate, civic, community, and other external stakeholders by coordinating institutional engagement, connecting stakeholders with appropriate UI Health Care leaders, and identifying opportunities to advance shared priorities.

Provide strategic leadership in shaping external‑facing messages that strengthen UI Health Care's reputation, influence, and visibility at the local, state, regional, and national levels.

Ensure communications with government officials, corporate and civic leaders, community stakeholders, and other external audiences are clear, consistent, timely, and aligned with institutional priorities.

Develop and oversee key messages, talking points, executive briefing materials, position statements, and other materials supporting high‑level external engagement.

Represent the institution in select high‑profile constituent, media, civic, government, and public engagement efforts.

Lead external relations coordination during significant institutional events, emerging issues, crises, or situations presenting potential reputational risk, in close partnership with Marketing & Communications and executive leadership.

Coordinate with Marketing & Communications, Strategic Planning, university partners, and institutional leaders to ensure external engagement reinforces UI Health Care's brand, reputation, strategic priorities, and institutional messaging.

Identify opportunities to position UI Health Care and its leaders as trusted voices in health care, research, education, innovation, workforce development, public policy, and community well‑being.

Required Qualifications:

A master’s degree in in public administration, political science, communications, business administration, health administration, public policy, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in government relations, public affairs, corporate relations, community engagement, executive communications, higher education, health care, or a related area.

Demonstrated success building and managing high‑level relationships with elected officials, government agencies, business leaders, civic organizations, and community stakeholders.

Experience developing and executing strategic initiatives in a complex, mission‑driven organization.

Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.

Demonstrated political acumen, diplomacy, discretion, and sound judgment.

Ability to prioritize multiple high‑visibility initiatives and work effectively in a fast‑paced environment.

• Valid driver’s license plus the ability to meet the University of Iowa Fleet Safety program driving standards.

Relevant professional experience in Iowa, with demonstrated knowledge of the state's governmental, legislative, business, civic, and health care landscape.

Experience working within or closely with an academic medical center, health system, higher education institution, or similarly complex organization.

Knowledge of state and federal legislative and public policy processes, particularly as they relate to health care, higher education, research, or workforce issues.

Experience working collaboratively across government, business, health care, and community sectors to advance organizational priorities.

Experience with health care payment policy, reimbursement policy, or related payment and financing issues is preferred.

Experience with public health policy, including familiarity with the intersection of health care delivery, population health, government policy, and community health priorities.

Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. For questions, contact Sharon Walther at [e-mail].

Additional Information

• Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
• Schedule: Full-time

Compensation

Contact Information

• Contact Name: Sharon Walther
• Contact Email: [e-mail]

Equal opportunity employer

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.

Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, [phone] or [e-mail]. For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.