SFESOM Strategic Communications Manager

University of Utah Health Research; Salt Lake City (UT); Hybrid; USD 69,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Utah Health Research seeks a Marketing Communication Specialist to serve as SFESOM Strategic Communications Manager. You will oversee a range of communications—from news releases to blogs and speeches—while coordinating with SFESOM leadership and the MarCom team.

The role requires strong writing, project management, and the ability to advise senior leaders. The position is hybrid with in-office time weekly; it may require occasional evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for executive and leadership audiences
• Ability to manage projects with strong interpersonal skills and discretion
• Experience translating complex issues into clear, compelling communications for diverse audiences
• Ability to work both independently and in a team setting

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute communication plans, strategy, and tactics to support client goals
• Produce executive-level communications: speeches, announcements, op-eds, presentations, articles, newsletters, blogs, and social media posts
• Monitor effectiveness of strategies and adjust plans as needed
• Collaborate with MarCom team and SFESOM leadership to provide communications counsel
• Ensure high quality output across print, web, and social channels
• Adhere to timelines and ensure accuracy and timeliness of materials
• Perform related duties as assigned

Skills

Excellent written & verbal comms

Team collaboration

Strategic communications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in English/Journalism/Communications

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Drupal

Wordpress

Photography

Job description

Details

Open Date 09/30/2026

Requisition Number PRN46357B

Job Title Marketing Communication Specialists

Working Title SFESOM Strategic Communications Manager

Career Progression Track P00

Track Level P4 - Advanced

FLSA Code Professional

Patient Sensitive Job Code? No

Standard Hours per Week 40

Full Time or Part Time? Full Time

Shift Day

Work Schedule Summary Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm.

The person in this position must be willing to work occasional evening and weekend hours. While the position is hybrid, weekly in-office time will be a requirement as determined in consultation with the supervisor and key clients.

VP Area U of U Health - Academics

Department 01758 - COMMUNICATIONS

Location Campus

City Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment External Posting

Pay Rate Range $68,800 - $77,800

Close Date 10/30/2026

Job Summary Under minimal supervision, the strategic communications manager is responsible for planning, organizing, and carrying out strategic communication functions for the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine ( SFESOM ) and its leadership. This pertains to areas including (but not limited to) news releases, blog posts, social media, speech writing, event scripting, and professional representation. Acts as a liaison between the Marketing & Communications office and SFESOM leaders and staff (mainly Deans office) to ensure continuity and quality of service. Performs a wide range of communications and marketing functions and project management while using good judgment, high-level discretion and confidentiality, and strong interpersonal skills to plan and execute comms planning, strategy, and tactics. Utilizes traditional and electronic media to accomplish goals.

Is a member of the U of U Health Academic Communications & Marketing team and works regularly with the System Communications team.

Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu

Responsibilities

• Develop and executes communication plans, strategy, and tactics to support client goals. Incorporates traditional and electronic media targeting both internal and external audiences.
• Understand the SFESOM mission and develop executive-level communications to support it, including speeches, announcements, op-eds, presentation materials news articles, newsletters, blogs, and social media posts.
• Responsible for monitoring strategic effectiveness and adjusting communication plans and tactics as necessary.
• Collaborate with the MarCom team, SFESOM Deans office, and other clientele to conceptualize on various projects and provide communications counsel to SFESOM leadership as appropriate.
• Ensure high quality of communication output through all channels, including print, web, social media, etc.
• Develop and adheres to project timelines; ensures that distributed material is accurate and timely.
• May perform other related technical duties as assigned.

The person in this position must be willing to work occasional evening and weekend hours. While the position is hybrid, weekly in-office time will be a requirement as determined in consultation with the supervisor and key clients.

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Minimum Qualifications

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT : 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Marketing Communication Specialist, IV: Requires a bachelor’s in English, Journalism, Communications, or related field (or equivalency) + 8 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 6 years of directly related work experience.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop clear, compelling communications for executive and other leadership audiences; project management and strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to work both individually and in a team setting.
• Demonstrates the ability to write in the voice of senior leaders and translate complex issues and priorities into clear, compelling communications for a variety of audiences
• Ability to work proactively and meet deadlines is essential.

Preferences

• Skills in interviewing, content management (especially Drupal or Wordpress), oral presentation, and photography are a plus.
• Master’s degree in a related field may be preferred.

Type Benefited Staff

Special Instructions Summary

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at [phone] for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at [phone] or [phone] or University Human Resource Management at [phone] if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX ( OEO ). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page .

Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu.

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As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members , a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.