Internal Communications Manager

University of Wisconsin; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 82,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Wisconsin–Madison seeks a Communications Manager to lead internal communications in the School of Medicine and Public Health. The role focuses on crafting campaigns, strengthening culture, and informing leadership priorities with data-driven insights.

The successful candidate will write, coordinate, and measure internal narratives, oversee the intranet and newsletters, and partner with executive leaders to advance the strategic plan while delivering clear, compelling messages.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in internal communication, organizational communication, corporate communication, or related work
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and experience managing feedback, editing, and review processes
• Experience both planning and writing internal communications campaigns in higher education, health care, public entities, agencies, military, or comparable large and complex organizations
• Experience serving as trusted advisor to leadership to gather necessary information and shape internal messaging and campaigns
• Evidence of ability to work both collaboratively and independently

Responsibilities

• Partners with stakeholders in Dean’s Office administrative units to translate operational needs and change initiatives into effective communications that foster alignment, advance strategy and achieve goals
• Plans and directs unit programs and/or projects to ensure adherence to deadlines and budgets
• Coordinating internal communications messaging and campaign with campus and health system partners
• Identifies, proposes, and implements new or revised unit operational policies and procedures
• Manages the day-to-day operational unit plans to align with strategic initiatives and to meet established objectives
• Develops, implements, and delivers communication materials through various mediums to designated audiences
• Plans, writes, and edits content for various internal and external stakeholders

Skills

Internal communication

Organizational communication

Corporate communication

Strategic writing

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Email marketing tools

Campaign design tools

Accessibility tools

Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Communications Manager

Job Summary:

The Office of Strategic Communications at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health seeks a strong writer and strategic communicator focused on internal communications, with a passion for crafting campaigns and messaging that inspire action and support within the organization. An individual with a deep sense of purpose for supporting the work of an academic medical center to advance the health of people and communities will excel in this role.

Reporting to the Associate Director of Executive and Internal Communication, you will provide writing support and communications management for the school’s organizational communication campaigns, internal newsletter, leadership searches, signature events, storytelling and culture building content, Intranet website, and more. The position will also lead the management of the school’s internal communications infrastructure. The successful candidate will thrive in a dynamic environment, transforming complex ideas and priorities into clear, compelling communications that inform, inspire, engage, and strengthen a sense of community and belonging.

In this inaugural role, you will shape internal narratives and institutional culture and measure the impact of internal communications in the school to drive optimization using data and metrics. You will work closely with leaders and subject matter experts across the school, partner closely with the associate director on communications related to executive leadership priorities, and work independently on projects. A key responsibility will be to ambitiously lead communication efforts related to the school’s new strategic plan and continuous improvement initiatives, working with leaders and project managers to build awareness and support of the plan and its progress.

The ideal candidate will build strong relationships across the organization and bring the curiosity, acumen, sound judgment, and collaborative spirit needed to connect people, ideas, and priorities within a leading academic medical center. Situated in the Office of Strategic Communications within the Dean's Office, you will be part of a talented team dedicated to executive and internal communications, public relations and crisis communication, external communications and social media, and web and digital strategy.

• This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non‑campus work location.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Partners with stakeholders in Dean’s Office administrative units to translate operational needs and change initiatives into effective communications that foster alignment, advance strategy and achieve goals
• Plans and directs unit programs and/or projects to ensure adherence to deadlines and budgets
• Coordinating internal communications messaging and campaign with campus and health system partners
• Identifies, proposes, and implements new or revised unit operational policies and procedures
• Manages the day-to-day operational unit plans to align with strategic initiatives and to meet established objectives
• Develops, implements, and delivers communication materials through various mediums to designated audiences
• Plans, writes, and edits content for various internal and external stakeholders

Department:

School of Medicine and Public Health, Office of the Dean, Strategic Communications

Compensation:

• The starting salary wage for the position is $82,000 annually; but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.

• Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. For more information, refer to the campus benefits webpage. SMPH Faculty /Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026

Required Qualifications:

• At least 5 years of experience in internal communication, organizational communication, corporate communication, or related work

• Strong written and verbal communication skills and experience managing feedback, editing, and review processes

• Experience both planning and writing internal communications campaigns in higher education, health care, public entities, agencies, military, or comparable large and complex organizations

• Experience serving as trusted advisor to leadership to gather necessary information and shape internal messaging and campaigns

• Evidence of ability to work both collaboratively and independently

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing communications related to organizational change, strategic initiatives, or culture-building efforts

• Demonstrated adaptability to write across mediums, channels, and audiences in fast‑paced environment with high level of accuracy

• Professional history of using data and analytics to measure impact of internal communications and optimize effectiveness

• Ability to practice sound professional judgment and acumen, high integrity, and discretion

• Experience with email and marketing tools for email sending and campaign design

• Proficiency in digital accessibility best practices

Education:

Bachelor’s degree required; focus in communication preferred but candidates with any relevant background and training are encouraged to apply

Contact Information:

Kim McFarlane, [e-mail]

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Eligibility and Work Authorization:

• University sponsorship is not available for this position, including transfers of sponsorship and TN visas. The selected applicant will be responsible for ensuring their continuous eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. This position is an ongoing position that will require continuous work eligibility. If you are selected for this position you must provide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work.

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW‑Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin‑Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin‑Madison is an Equal OpportunityEmployer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgroundsand encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy‑related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre‑employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on‑campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW‑Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.