University of Washington

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

UW Medicine works to improve the health of the public by advancing medical knowledge, providing outstanding primary and specialty medical care to people of the region, and preparing tomorrow's physicians, scientists, and other health professionals. The Dean of Medicine’s Office of Academic Appointments and Compensation (AAC) is a comprehensive unit serving 32 School of Medicine academic departments and the Dean's Office units. The School's clinicians provide clinical services through two practice groups, UW Physicians (UWP) and Children's University Medical Group (CUMG), which are separate, non-profit corporations. The school has numerous affiliations with other entities such as Seattle Children’s Hospital, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and the Veteran's Administration Puget Sound. Appointments, promotions, compensation and other academic personnel actions for the School's faculty are managed within UW Medicine's School of Medicine Finance and Administration Unit.

The Office of Academic Appointments and Compensation (AAC) serves as the primary academic human resources facility for School of Medicine (SoM) department chairs, departmental administrators, SoM executive staff, and staff including those at UWP/CUMG and closely affiliated institutions.

We are seeking a dynamic professional to join Academic Appointments and Compensation. AAC has an outstanding opportunity for a Temporary Communications Specialist and Project Manager. This multifaceted role requires an individual with strong PR skills, exceptional project management capabilities, and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders. This position will lead and guide the development of the School of Medicine’s first School-wide Faculty Salary and Promotion Equity Report in collaboration with the newly established committee and in partnership and collaboration with the Office of Faculty Affairs. This position will partner with the AAC Analyst to translate analyzed data into a relatable format (that all levels of readers can comprehend). This position requires a high level of discretion, tact, professionalism, independent judgement, strong communication and writing skills. Strong project management and communication skills will be utilized to create a final information source that will be distributed to the School and departments at large. This position will also utilize effective project management skills to oversee the full scope of the project, deliverables, and tracking of timelines to ensure the project is completed by the deadline.

This position reports directly to the Associate Dean for Academic and Medical Staff Affairs with dual reporting to the Senior Analyst and Reporting Manager. In addition, the position will have a collaborative partnership with the UW SOM Office of Faculty Affairs and the Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs.

This position will improve internal business practices through continuous process improvement. This role provides communications consultation and guidance to ensure consistent and effective communication, cultivation, and messaging for stakeholders, through a variety of communication channels in partnership with the Associate Dean and Senior Analyst and Reporting Manager.

This role develops and executes communications and public relations strategies by engaging with other key influencers and stakeholders to effectively transmit key messages to target audiences. The Communications Specialist, Project Manager works with high level stakeholders and will partner with the AAC Analyst.

This is a highly independent position with regular reporting to the unit’s leadership team and should also keep the Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs and the School of Medicine Faculty Salary and Promotion Equity Committee informed on relevant information, timelines, and project related activities. The position requires strong writing and editing skills and sound judgment in conceptualizing and executing communications and managing stakeholder requests and relationships.

Duties & Responsibilities

Communication: (45%)

• Establish communications, goals, and priorities, oversee planning and assessment processes relative to goals under advisement of the Associate Dean and Senior Analyst and Reporting Manager and in collaboration with the Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs. Spearhead development of the initial plan, timing, and milestones while tracking and overseeing productivity, goal setting and resources.
• Develop content for and edit targeted communications, including emails of various lengths and newsletters.
• Manage and prioritize internal communication functions, including key messages, strategies, and channels in partnership with the Associate Dean, Senior Analyst and Reporting Manager and the Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs.
• Provide guidance, direction, training, and best practices relating to the distribution of materials.
• Manage on-site (and possibly off-site) town halls.
• Craft speeches, talking points, presentations, internal updates and other communications, in alignment with School of Medicine’s strategic guidelines and values.
• Develop and maintain policies, guidelines, and best practice documents.
• Lead or participate in committees as needed to further communications goals.
• Demonstrate exceptional organizational skills and the ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbal form noted for precision, interest, and objectivity. Requires exceptional relationship building and collaboration skills.
• Frequent and substantive communications involving sensitive and confidential matters; good judgment, tact, and discretion.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with tact, discretion, diplomacy and maintain strict confidentiality.

Project Management: (45%)

• This includes but is not limited to providing project management for organizational initiatives led by the Associate Dean and Senior Analyst and Reporting Manager to support development of a School-wide Faculty Equity Report. This work will be in close partnership and collaboration with the Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs and the School of Medicine Salary and Promotion Equity Committee.
• Utilize project management methodologies to ensure timely and successful project delivery.
• Projects must be organized and professional, having clear deliverables and milestones. The projects could be operational or strategic and will include several subject matter experts thereby requiring critical communication throughout the life of the project.
• Lead or participate in a variety of projects including performance improvement for the unit and changes in processes.

Other Duties as Assigned: (10%)

• Complete special projects for the Associate Dean, Director, Sr. Analyst and Reporting Manager and other executive leadership, including the Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs as needed.
• Demonstrate a high degree of diplomacy, awareness, and leadership skills to manage changes and implement new solutions.
• Perform other duties or projects as required or assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Project Management, Marketing, Journalism, English, or a related field.
• A minimum of five years of related work experience combining communications, public information, public relations and media relations. Experience in an academic or healthcare setting, higher education, or journalism a plus.
• Strong public relations skills with the ability to maintain positive relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Equivalent education/experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Fluent understanding of and experience in and commitment to inclusive language, accessibility and diversity, equity, and inclusion considerations. Supportive of the UW’s commitment to inclusiveness and UW School of Medicine’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum requirements.

Desired Requirements

• Proven excellence in writing, editing, presentation, copy editing and public speaking with knowledge of AP style.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills is critical.
• Experience in creating integrated public relations campaigns with short- and long-term impact.
• Ability to work on a team, contribute to and oversee multiple projects, demonstrate critical thinking skills and working alongside others.
• Authentically and consistently exhibit good listening skills.
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, high-change environment with demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• High level of computer literacy skills including experience with MS Office Suite.
• Demonstrated commitment to integrity.

Application Process:

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter, and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.

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