Director, Strategic Communications and Program Development

Stanford University School of Medicine; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 192,934 - 219,560; Full time

Job summary

Stanford University School of Medicine is looking for a Director of Strategic Communications and Program Development. This role focuses on enhancing the national and international visibility of the Stanford Cancer Institute.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in strategic communications, particularly in academic medical settings. Responsibilities include formulating communication plans and leading high-visibility projects.

Offering a hybrid work schedule, this position is crucial for advancing cancer-related initiatives.

Qualifications

• Ten years of relevant experience in strategic communications.
• Experience in Oncology and Academic Medical Centers preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Formulate and execute strategic communication plans.
• Lead high visibility, strategic projects for SCI.
• Mentor staff and guide them in achieving strategic goals.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Marketing

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA or MPH

Tools

PowerPoint

Web content management systems

Job description

The Stanford Cancer Institute (SCI) earned its most recent comprehensive cancer center designation by the NCI in 2022 and is one of an elite number of National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the country. The SCI is a prominent, dynamic, and complex Institute within the Stanford University School of Medicine and actively works to build synergies and collaborations among faculty with cancer-relevant expertise from four Schools and over 30 departments across Stanford University. Cancer clinical research is integrated throughout Stanford Medicine which is comprised of Stanford School of Medicine and our adult and pediatric health systems – Stanford Health Care and Stanford Children’s Health.

Given the SCI’s mission, breadth, and depth, it employs over 400 staff members in a fast-paced, team-oriented, and forward-thinking environment with tremendous opportunities for personal and professional growth. You will be working with an unparalleled leading-edge community of faculty and staff who are fundamentally changing the world of health care in the cancer arena. Reporting to the SCI’s Assistant Dean and Deputy Director for Administration, you will be conversant in the goals, mission and priorities of the Institute, and utilize this knowledge to recruit, engage, and maximize the contributions of the workforce required for the SCI to fulfill its mission and obligations to Stanford Medicine, to the National Cancer Institute, and to the patients we all serve. Our staff run toward challenges, and you will have a demonstrated history of doing the same with a high degree of professionalism, initiative, and flexibility.

We seek a Director of Strategic Communications and Program Development to provide critical strategic oversight for the SCI communications and social media efforts with the goal of increasing the SCI’s national and international visibility, positioning the SCI as a leader in basic science, translational and clinical research. She or he will also lead high visibility, strategic projects of importance to the SCI and its ongoing efforts as an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center.

The Director of SCI Strategic Communications and Program Development should have a track record of proactively seeking out new and creative ways to advance an organization’s strategic objectives, with an ability to think progressively and innovatively, and challenge status‑quo thinking. He or she must be comfortable dealing effectively, diplomatically, honestly, and sensitively with all levels of leadership and staff. In addition, candidates must demonstrate superb staff management and communication skills.

Duties

• Formulate and execute strategic plans for external and internal communications that includes strategic goals and corresponding success metrics, budget, staffing plan, and data needs. Position the SCI as a national and international leader in cancer prevention, detection, treatment and education. Increase visibility of discoveries and innovations of SCI members in basic science, translational and clinical research.
• Establish consulting services to help new SCI faculty build programs that cross the research, educational and clinical missions of the SCI. Partner with SCI, School of Medicine, Stanford Health Care (SHC) and Stanford Children’s Health (SCH) to develop program plans that have sufficient and sustainable resources.
• Lead strategic direction for both direct reporting and indirect reporting staff performing communications functions for the SCI. Ensure the staff are engaged in the broad strategic vision for increasing national and international visibility for the SCI. Provide mentoring and guidance to ensure each staff member understands how her/his work is essential to the broader strategic goals of the SCI.
• Build consistent systems of work to reduce variation and improve consistency. Apply system thinking and continuous process improvement to ensure coordination and collaboration between SCI, School of Medicine, University and SHC/SCH.
• Develop and manage the SCI budget for communications and social media. Execute advanced approval processes for communications and social media expenditures across the SCI. Explore, recommend, and implement efficiencies in operations. Establish targets to meet objectives while stewarding resources.
• Foster relationships with basic scientists, clinicians, and leadership of the SCI/School of Medicine/University/SHC/SCH, to maintain an in-depth knowledge of the programs of cancer research, prevention, treatment, education and outreach of the SCI and its members to ensure consistency in messaging across the enterprise and appropriate representation in publications and communications.
• This position is open to a hybrid work schedule (work from a Stanford location and non-Stanford location, such as home), based on mutual agreement.

Other duties may also be assigned.

Desired Qualifications

• Extensive professional experience in Oncology and in Academic Medical Centers.
• MBA, MPH or equivalent advanced degree preferred.
• Ability to manage internal and external relationships; preparing, justifying and presenting strategic plans, business cases and budgets; and measuring the impact of different strategies and programs.
• Ability to effectively develop strong cross‑functional partnerships, evidenced by a track record of teamwork and collegiality leading cross‑functional teams and building relationships outside and beyond the role.
• Demonstrated success as an inspirational leader who has successfully motivated staff and non‑reporting teams to achieve and sustain excellence. The individual must have strong interpersonal skills to develop alliances with internal and external groups. S/he must be comfortable dealing effectively, diplomatically, honestly, and sensitively with all levels of leadership and staff.
• Demonstrated history of proactively seeking out new and creative ways to advance an organization’s strategic objectives; ability to think progressively and innovatively, and challenge status‑quo thinking.
• Ability to see patterns or connections between situations that are not obviously related.
• Ability to manage multiple strategic projects simultaneously and prioritize the allocation of staff and resources accordingly; ability to identify critical success factors in different business situations and projects.
• Strong enterprise‑wide vision, seeing the big picture, recognizing critical details and dealing with ambiguity.
• Demonstrated history of personal integrity, accountability and follow through.
• Excellent computer skills and expert knowledge of PowerPoint and web content management systems is preferred.

Education & Experience (Required)

Bachelor's degree and ten years of relevant experience; or a combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Required)

• Proven ability to achieve an organization's vision, values and programs through communications and marketing initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience leveraging integrated marketing strategies to achieve goals.
• Strong marketing management skills and the ability to persuade and influence decision‑makers across all levels of an organization.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and leadership skills.
• Proven people manager, with the ability to motivate, grow and train staff across functions.
• Prior experience in planning and managing department budget.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience presenting to senior managers.

Physical Requirements

Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.

Work Standards

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.

Compensation

The expected pay range for this position is $192,934 to $219,560 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.