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The UW Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences (DEOHS) Director of Communications and Public Relations is responsible for communicating and promoting the research, education, and service accomplishments and events of DEOHS faculty, staff and students. The Director develops and executes COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS strategies through local, national and international outlets and by engaging with other key influencers and stakeholders to effectively communicate key messages to target audiences. DEOHS is a large academic unit with over 40 regular faculty, 120 auxiliary faculty, 80 graduate students, 50 undergraduates, 110 staff, over 10 research and service centers, as well as multiple interdisciplinary collaborations. DEOHS also has a unique state funding appropriation ($15M per biennium) which requires that its activities are conveyed to unique audiences, WA legislators & their staffers, employers, workers, labor unions, and government agencies with key prevention and intervention information regarding workplace injuries and illnesses.
The position reports to the Assistant Chair for Stakeholder Engagement and the department Director. The Communications Director works with faculty, staff and students across the department and manages a team of one web designer, one digital communication coordinator, and one part-time senior communications specialist. The Communications Director also partners with the department IT team, other communications teams in the UW School of Public Health and other schools, colleges and departments on campus. Key DEOHS audiences include legislators and staff; national, regional, state and local government agency representatives; academic, research and funding partners; and faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, prospective students, affiliated and unaffiliated friends of the department.
The department's Communications team provides strategic COMMUNICATIONS AND marketing services across a variety of digital, print and physical platforms. This includes brand and identity management, digital strategies, web services, editorial and content strategies, visual communications, media AND PUBLIC RELATIONS, social media, event support and integrated marketing campaigns.
The Communications Director serves as the department's primary media AND PUBLIC RELATIONS adviser and lead. The Director is responsible for positioning and promoting the department through traditional media, social media, PUBLIC RELATIONS campaigns, internal COMMUNICATIONS AND strategic relationships with external partners.
This is a highly independent position with regular reporting to the department's leadership team, including the Chair, Associate and Assistant Chairs and department Director. The position requires strong writing and editing skills and sound judgment in conceptualizing and executing COMMUNICATIONS AND marketing activities, leveraging news events and managing stakeholder requests, media pitches and relationships.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Planning (35%)
Establish department communication strategic goals and priorities, develop budget, oversee planning and assessment processes relative to goals under advisement of the Chair, Assistant Chair for Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement and Department Director.
Operationalize the Communication strategic plan integrating the department's overall plan as well as other units within the department include academic, faculty hiring, and legislative. Spearhead the development of the initial plan, timing, and milestones while tracking and overseeing productivity, goal setting, resources, and budget necessary to accomplish the goals.
Develop, implement and manage an annual media AND PUBLIC RELATIONS plan, including overarching strategies, goals and benchmarks and targeted campaigns that align with department, School, UW and team goals.
Work proactively and collaboratively with other School and department COMMUNICATIONS AND marketing directors on integrated marketing and communication strategies, objectives and tactics. Partner with School of Public Health Communication Director to ensure School and Department strategic planning, milestones and productivity are well-integrated and complimentary.
Meet one-on-one with department Chair each month to provide guidance regarding department communication and engagement efforts, key stakeholder targets, methods of communication, and tactics to evaluate effectiveness. Lead weekly meetings with Assistant Chair, department Director, and Communication team regarding productivity, and specific project development and implementation.
Department Communication Leadership (45%)
Prioritize and promote the department's research, academic achievements, environmental and occupational health services, news and activities through written, verbal, event and multimedia communications.
Act as a liaison between the department and the media/public and serve as a primary liaison among media teams across the School and departments, University divisions and the central University marketing team.
Contribute to the writing, editing and targeted distribution of department communications, including articles of various lengths, news releases, newsletters and media advisories. Supervise additional writers in the role of staff and contract contributors.
Manage all media contacts and lists; cultivate relationships with journalists; maintain faculty expertise lists of key environmental and occupational health, public health, research and policy topics. Provide media training and counsel to faculty, staff and students, including op-eds and media interviews. Provide guidance, direction, training, media release approvals and best practices to faculty, staff and students. Manage on-site (and possibly off-site) interviews, press conferences, news, video and film crews as required.
Follow current events and trends, recommending topics to pitch with department and School experts, story ideas, op-eds and PR campaigns.
Write, manage and oversee content and content strategy for the department's website. Oversee, manage and grow the department's social media channels and content. Assess metrics from social media engagement, website traffic, newsletter engagement and make necessary adjustments to communications strategy.
Develop and maintain policies, guidelines and best practice documents.
Manage and prioritize internal communication functions, including key messages, strategies and channels in partnership with the department's IT team.
Direct department Communications budget of $350,000 per year. Direct allocation of budget resources including vendor contracts for external services, marketing, social media fees, and photography. Develop and submit annual budget to department leadership and oversee adherence to allocation.
Supervise staff and related activities including one web designer, one social media/marketing coordinator and one part-time senior communications specialist. The Director and team will work very closely with the department IT team, which houses two full-time web developer positions, one of whom is dedicated to central department communication channels and needs. May supervise additional staff including contract writers and videographers.
Serve as senior leadership to academic student services providing communication resources, expertise, and mentorship in the areas of graduate and undergraduate student recruitment and retention; student mentoring and training for technical and non-technical writing.
Department State Legislative Relations (20%)
Assist the Chair and Assistant Chair with government relations, including working with the University government affairs team as well as providing COMMUNICATIONS AND coordination with elected officials' offices and government agency representatives.
Provide guidance regarding timely responses to multiple emerging bills and floor actions which include department participation and resources.
May join department leadership team to meet with state elected legislative representatives to respond to inquiries and potential contributions from the department faculty, staff, and students.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Journalism, English, or related field
The position requires a minimum of five years of related work experience combining communications, public information, PUBLIC RELATIONS and media relations. Experience in higher education or journalism a plus.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Experience with direct supervision of two or more staff.
Proficiency with PC platform; working knowledge of Microsoft Office and CMS programs, Google Analytics, Adobe Creative Cloud as part of supervising staff who conduct their daily activities in these platforms. Experience managing social media accounts.
Experience in higher education.
Demonstrated experience with assessment applying the differing needs and approaches for information delivery via website, social media, and print media.
Proven excellence in writing, editing, presentation, copy editing AND PUBLIC speaking with knowledge of AP style.
Strong organization skills and be able to communicate scientific information in written and verbal form noted for precision, interest and objectivity.
A keen and proven judgment for news and other problem-solving skills are critical.
Experience in creating integrated PUBLIC RELATIONS campaigns with short- and long term impact.
Qualified candidate must be able to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
Values the UW's commitment to inclusiveness and UW School of Public Health and department commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Has the ability to work on a team, contribute to and oversee multiple projects, along with demonstration of critical thinking and working alongside others.
Firsthand knowledge of international and national media outlets, both print and electronic.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience communicating in person and via various media forms to legislators and staffs as well as other policy makers and stakeholders.
Application Process: The application process 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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