Director, Corporate Communication

At UVA Health University Medical Center, communications is a strategic driver of reputation, influence, and organizational impact. We are seeking an accomplished Director of Corporate Communications to lead enterprise-wide communications initiatives that elevate our brand, strengthen executive thought leadership, and increase visibility for one of the nation's premier academic health systems.

This high-profile leadership role serves as a trusted advisor to senior executives and key stakeholders across UVA Health, the UVA School of Medicine, and the Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology. Through strategic storytelling, proactive media engagement, and executive communications, the Director will help shape how UVA Health's mission, innovation, and clinical excellence are shared with audiences locally, regionally, and nationally.

The Role

As Director of Corporate Communications, you will lead a broad communications portfolio spanning media relations and executive communications. This role is ideal for a seasoned communications leader who thrives in a dynamic, mission-driven environment and is energized by influencing organizational reputation at both regional and national levels.

On a typical day, you may be partnering with executives to develop keynote speaker engagements and remarks, collaborating with media professionals on emerging stories, guiding strategic communications plans for major organizational initiatives, and coaching a growing team of communications experts.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the development and execution of enterprise communications strategies that strengthen UVA Health's brand, reputation, and stakeholder engagement.
• Serve as a strategic communications advisor to senior executives, helping articulate vision, priorities, and organizational impact through compelling messaging and thought leadership.
• Direct proactive media relations efforts focused on increasing regional and national visibility for UVA Health, the School of Medicine, and the Manning Institute.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with journalists, media outlets, and external communications partners.
• Develop high-impact content across print, digital, video, presentation, and live-event channels.
• Guide crisis and issues communications while ensuring alignment with institutional priorities.
• Lead and mentor a growing communications team currently consisting of four direct reports.
• Partner closely with leaders across marketing, operations, clinical services, legal, finance, academic medicine, and community health initiatives.
• Measure communications effectiveness and provide strategic insights that inform leadership decision-making.

This position follows a hybrid work model, with regular in-person collaboration in Charlottesville, typically on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Why UVA Health

UVA Health is one of the nation's premier academic health systems, bringing together patient care, education, and research to improve health outcomes across Virginia and beyond. This role offers the opportunity to influence communications strategy at an organization known for innovation, clinical excellence, and groundbreaking research.

What makes this opportunity exceptional:

• Direct access to executive leadership, serving as a trusted advisor on high-profile communications initiatives.
• A unique opportunity to build proactive public relations and executive thought leadership programs that shape organizational reputation at a national level.
• Leadership of an expanding communications team with significant opportunity to develop talent and scale capabilities.
• Collaboration across one of the most respected academic medicine environments in the country, where innovation and discovery are transforming the future of healthcare.
• Access to leading physicians, researchers, operational leaders, and educators whose work presents powerful opportunities for storytelling and brand elevation.
• A culture that values collaboration, inclusion, innovation, and continuous improvement.

For communications professionals seeking a role that combines executive influence, strategic leadership, media engagement, and meaningful organizational impact, this position offers an outstanding career-defining opportunity.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Bachelor's degree required.

Experience: 8+ years relevant professional experience, to include 3+ years of formal managerial experience required.

Licensure: None.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Retirement Savings
• Long-term and Short-term Disability
• Health Saving Plans, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Certification and Education Support

UVA Health is a world-class Magnet Recognized academic medical center and health system with a level 1 trauma center. 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report "Best Hospitals" guide rates UVA Health University Medical Center as "High Performing" in 5 adult specialties and 14 conditions/procedures. We are one of 70 National Cancer Institute designated cancer centers. UVA Health Children's is named by 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report as the best children's hospital in Virginia with 9 specialties ranked among the best in the nation. Our footprint also encompasses 3 community hospitals and an integrated network of primary and specialty care clinics throughout Charlottesville, Culpeper, Northern Virginia, and beyond.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.