Job Description

University of Utah Job Description

Job Summary

The System Chief Communications Officer (CCO) is a member of the health sciences executive team and is responsible for stewarding and strengthening the reputation of University of Utah Health through a comprehensive and integrated communications strategy. This role oversees all internal and external communications, serving as the institution’s chief spokesperson and lead advisor on messaging, media relations, executive communications, content strategy, and brand storytelling.

The CCO leads a multidisciplinary team and works in close partnership with SVP Cabinet, Deans, Senior Leadership, Marketing, Government Relations, Human Resources, Advancement, Office of General Counsel and other key stakeholders to ensure alignment, clarity, and transparency across all communication platforms. The role is instrumental in reinforcing the organization’s mission, elevating its strategic priorities, and cultivating a culture of trust, engagement, and purpose.

Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree required
• 3+ years prior experience as VP of Communications, Chief Communications Officer, or equivalent executive-level role.

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

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Essential Functions

Your leadership of research across health sciences should focus on the following high-level goals:

• Advance Institutional Reputation: Develop and execute proactive media and public relations strategies. Serve as chief spokesperson and manage media relations across all levels. Guide crisis communications and reputational risk in coordination with senior leaders, legal, and risk teams.
• Strengthen Executive and Internal Communications: Shape transparent, timely messaging that fosters trust, cultural alignment, and strategic clarity. Oversee executive messaging, speeches, town halls, and communications for key initiatives and transitions. Promote a values-driven communication culture.
• Drive Enterprise Content and Storytelling: Lead institution-wide editorial content strategy across digital, print, and owned channels. Ensure quality, consistency, and engagement using performance data and audience insights. Collaborate with university brand and creative teams to maintain unified messaging and visual identity.
• Ensure Compliance and Standards: Maintain adherence to HIPAA, legal, and regulatory standards across all internal and external messaging. Provide media training and support executive visibility and thought leadership.
• Integrate Communications Across Missions: Partner with academic, clinical, research, and community engagement teams to align messaging and engagement. Lead system-focused clinical and operational communications and consult on communications for clinical staff.
• Coordinate Enterprise Functions: Collaborate with Marketing, Education, Research, Advancement, and other enterprise areas to unify voice and strategy across the organization.

Key Priorities:

• Elevate and Protect Institutional Reputation: Build national recognition, reinforce public trust, and align communications with enterprise goals.
• Unify Voice and Messaging Across the Enterprise: Establish a consistent institutional narrative that connects communications from the C-suite to the front lines. Articulate the organization’s purpose, promise, and value to stakeholders.
• Deepen Employee Engagement and Cultural Alignment: Use internal communications to inform, motivate, and connect employees to strategy, mission, and values. Strengthen internal culture through meaningful dialogue.
• Strengthen Executive Communications and Visibility: Ensure leadership is equipped with clear, effective, and inspiring messaging that fosters alignment, trust, and credibility.
• Ensure Operational Excellence: Drive performance through disciplined operations, transparency, and shared resource alignment. Manage budget and collaborate on team structures with Marketing leadership.
• Build an Agile and High-Performing Communications Team: Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team focused on collaboration, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Support Executive Initiatives: Lead or contribute to additional strategic projects as assigned by health system executive leadership.

Problem Solving

Skills & Abilities:

• Expertise in navigating complex, high-stakes situations with calm, clarity, and strategic foresight. Proficient in risk communication and reputational protection.
• Deep understanding of media landscape and ability to cultivate relationships with journalists, influencers, and stakeholders at local, regional and national levels.
• Advanced experience with digital platforms, content management systems, CRM tools, and analytics to optimize communication strategies and user experience.
• Adept at partnering across academic, clinical, research, and community missions. Skilled in aligning messaging across departments and functions.
• Knowledge of HIPAA, legal, and compliance standards relevant to healthcare and public communications
• Ability to lead, mentor, and inspire a multidisciplinary team. Committed to operational excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.