Director of Communications, Carver College of Medicine

Join the Marketing and Communications team at UI Health Care as the Director of Communications
. This role develops marketing and communications strategies for the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille

A. Carver College of Medicine, a highly ranked medical school with a statewide commitment to education, research, and patient care.

As a key leader in UI Health Care’s Marketing and Communications team, the director works closely with stakeholders to position Iowa’s only comprehensive academic medical center and leads a specialized communicators, alumni relations, STEM education, and executive events team. The director reports to the associate vice president.

• Strategic Planning
  • Create and oversee marketing and communication plans to support the medical school’s strategic goals and inspire world-class health care providers and scientists.
  • Elevate the academic brand by aligning communications and marketing strategies to achieve priorities measured by US News, NIH funding, and other institutional metrics.
• Message Development and Implementation
  • Lead internal communications for the College, collaborating with UI Health Care’s Marketing and Communications teams and academic units to increase faculty, staff, and learner engagement and ambassadorship.
  • Direct content creation for the medical school intranet, web pages, and social media.
  • Oversee research projects to map stakeholder journeys and recruit and engage faculty and learners.
  • Lead integrated plans for marketing and promotion of the medical school with other Marketing and Communications divisions to improve overall efficiency.
  • Identify and share inspiring stories that demonstrate CCOM’s commitment to academic excellence, innovative research, and positive community impact.
  • Hire and oversee external agency support as needed.
• Public Relations
  • Build and maintain positive working relationships with key internal leaders to align strategies with brand and enterprise goals.
  • Collaborate with communication team members and university colleges to maintain a cohesive voice.
  • Oversee event management team for special events across the medical school and health system, including open houses, groundbreakings, ceremonies, and receptions.
  • Oversee STEM engagement programs to create interest in health care education and careers.
  • Oversee alumni relation communications in collaboration with the University of Iowa Center for Advancement.
  • Represent UI Health Care on relevant education boards, committees, or associations.
• Financial Responsibility and Information Management
  • Manage and monitor the division’s budget.
  • Track and monitor key measures of success.
  • Oversee CRM integrations following privacy and UI policies.
  • Prepare reports to share strategy, plans, results, and opportunities.
• Leadership/Supervision
  • Serve on the Marketing and Communications leadership team to identify and lead new opportunities, align strategy, and use resources effectively.
  • Coach, mentor, and guide team members and collaborators to achieve shared goals and defined outcomes.

• Required Qualifications
  • Master’s degree in leadership communication, public relations, marketing, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • 7 years of successful experience in communication leadership and multi-channel communications.
  • Demonstrated experience developing integrated communications plans.
  • Ability to develop teams and individuals.
  • Proven results of managing external agencies and integrating their work with internal teams.
  • Proven expertise in digital content strategy for professional or academic audiences, including intranet, newsletters, and professional social media channels.
  • Exceptional writing, editing, and research skills.
  • Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Ability to build positive, collaborative relationships.
  • Strong management, analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
  • Proven project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines.
  • Proficiency in MS Office.
  • Demonstrated experience working effectively in a welcoming and respectful workplace environment.
• Desired Qualifications
  • Experience leading a marketing or communications team in an academic medical center, multi-hospital system, higher education administration, or other large, complex business environment.
  • Demonstrated experience developing integrated marketing campaigns and communications plans, including commissioning market research.
  • Experience promoting faculty research, grant awards, and/or NIH funding announcements.
  • High degree of self‑motivation and initiative.

This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization now or in the future.