Chief Communications and Marketing Officer

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Job Summary

Michigan Medicine is searching for a transformational leader to join the executive team as Chief Communications and Marketing Officer (CCMO). The CCMO will lead strategic communications and marketing across the organization and provide high-level counsel to its leadership. This innovative, creative, and forward-thinking leader will be responsible for developing and implementing the Michigan Medicine strategic communication and marketing plans in support of its mission, as well as the department?s operational priorities

The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in communications and marketing and be knowledgeable on emerging trends in the industry. They will be adept at communicating with different audience groups and engaging with key stakeholders to ensure alignment. Through proactive and creative outreach, the CCMO will elevate external and internal understanding and awareness of the academic medical center?s programs, services, brand, and image to key constituents.

This is an exciting opportunity for a visionary and accomplished communications and marketing professional to partner with an exceptional leadership team and have significant impact within a community that is deeply committed to providing world-class health care.

Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally.  Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Why Join Michigan Medicine?

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world’s most distinguished academic health systems.  In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

  • Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
  • 2:1 Match on retirement savings

Responsibilities*

  • Plan, direct, achieve, and evaluate the major strategic planning and development activities for the communications and marketing staff of Michigan Medicine to ensure the accomplishment of its mission, goals, and institutional objectives.
  • Develop integrated marketing, communications, and public relations strategic plans that reflect the strategic goals of Michigan Medicine and clearly articulate the mission, vision, and values of Michigan Medicine. Lead the implementation of those strategic and operational objectives.
  • Partner closely with Michigan Medicine?s Chief Administrative Officer, the U-M Health Regional Network President, the President of U-M Health, and the Dean of the Medical School.
  • Direct the Public Relations, Marketing, Employee & Leadership Communication, Web & Digital Content Strategy, and Medical School Communications departments and programs. Increase external and internal understanding and awareness of Michigan Medicine?s programs, services, brand, and image.
  • Position Michigan Medicine as the premier academic medical center in the state of Michigan and as one of the country?s top academic medical centers.
  • Develop coordinated, appropriate, timely, and effective communications to educate and inform key constituencies, raise the profile of Michigan Medicine regionally, nationally, and internationally, and grow target service volumes for U-M Health.
  • Oversee the staff and activities across Michigan Medicine?s regional network, including University of Michigan Health-West, University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Clinton Hospital, University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Carson Hospital, University of Michigan Health- Sparrow Eaton Hospital, and University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Ionia Hospital, as well as the regional ambulatory network, to align strategic initiatives with system-wide goals.
  • Collaborate with external partners and member organizations, such as the Michigan Hospital Association, AAMC, AHA, and more.
  • Oversee budgeting, financial planning, and expense management to optimize operations, maximize investments, and improve efficiency.
  • Provide proactive counsel and direction for the health systems and their leaders on issues.
  • Develop an executive communications strategy that leverages the expertise of the senior leadership team with internal and external audiences.
  • Modernize employee communication tools and support increased employee engagement strategies.
  • Direct the development and implementation of local, state, national, and international media relations and social media programs that include media training and issues management.
  • Develop a comprehensive crisis communications plan and manage communications around crises as they arise.
  • Lead community engagement and advocacy strategy for the Regional Health Network with direct involvement in issues that could impact brand integrity.
  • Provide strategic guidance for Michigan Medicine?s internal and external websites. Direct system market research to attain timely and actionable information and analysis.
  • Demonstrate organizational commitment to change by promoting an environment that supports cohesive and integrational communication across a highly matrixed clinical and academic environment.
  • Create effective collaborative relationships with university leadership, Michigan Medicine leadership, and other constituencies of the University of Michigan to partner and facilitate the goals and objectives of Michigan Medicine.
  • Create standardized service-level agreements for health system partners that ensure high- quality support and effective responsiveness of communications and marketing resources.
  • Serve to maintain a cost-effective staffing structure that focuses on lean operations and organizational integration that results in expense reduction over time.

Required Qualifications*

  • At least 15 years of increasingly responsible communications management experience in a large, complex, and highly matrixed organization; healthcare and academic experience highly desired.
  • Comprehensive understanding of key communication practices within a complex setting; preferably in academic health sciences or health care.
  • Demonstrated success in leading change in a complex organization.
  • Experience developing and overseeing an effective and engaging internal communications program for a large network of employees.
  • Exceptional diplomacy, discretion, and judgment, and comfort with navigating ambiguity and complexity.
  • Proven success in working cooperatively and strategically in a team environment with the ability to influence and interact with all levels of senior leadership, professional, clinical, technical, academic, and administrative faculty and staff.
  • Ability to align enterprise strategy with overall communications strategy and appropriately balance the ability to be strategic and execute tactical functional execution.
  • Knowledge and experience in all aspects of assigned functions as well as development and management of operational and capital budgets.
  • Excellent negotiation and persuasion skills in order to successfully put forth Michigan Medicine positions and issues in the broader university-wide context.
  • Demonstrated success working collaboratively and strategically across multiple functions, ensuring alignment among organizations that operate independently of one another.
  • Ability to promote cultural competency and community engagement. 
  • Demonstrated commitment to cultural diversity and inclusivity.
  • Demonstrated success in building and inspiring teams in a complex, fast-paced environment.

Desired Qualifications*

  • Experience driving communication strategies in an environment with faculty and students.
  • Full understanding of and ability to effectively respond to elements that drive competitive advantage under dynamic conditions, such as healthcare industry changes, competitor actions, legal/regulatory changes, and technological trends.
  • Facilitate discussions to enable people to collaborate with each other independently; promoting collaboration across multiple parties.
  • Excellent interpersonal, writing, communication, organizational, and analytical skills. High energy coupled with a strong work ethic and a desire to have an impact.
  • Demonstrates the following leadership competencies:
    • Creates Value for the Diverse Communities We Serve
    • Creates a Shared Vision
    • Leads Innovation & Change
    • Fosters & Promotes Diverse Teams
    • Collaborates and Builds Inclusive Relationships
    • Coaches and Develops Others
    • Achieves Results
    • Solves Problems
    • Aligns Culture
    • Adapts
    • Acts with Courage and Confidence
    • Communicates

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.