The Health System Communications Manager is responsible for developing and executing strategic communications that elevate the organization's executive voice, clinical excellence, and institutional reputation. This role leads the creation of compelling, audience-focused content across internal and external channels, including media, digital platforms, and employee communications. Partnering closely with health system and university leadership, the role supports executive messaging, thought leadership, and storytelling that highlights key organizational priorities such as clinical innovation, research advancements, and quality outcomes. The position ensures a consistent and cohesive voice across all communications, strengthening brand integrity and engagement with employees, patients, and the broader community.
Essential Duties:
- Executive Communications • Serve as lead writer and strategic communications partner for designated health system executives, developing high-impact messaging including speeches, talking points, internal communications, and digital content. • Support executive visibility at high-profile engagements by preparing briefing materials and aligning messaging with organizational priorities. • Proactively identify and develop storytelling opportunities by engaging with clinical teams, operational leaders, and frontline staff. • Manage executive digital presence, including social media platforms, ensuring alignment with organizational voice and strategic messaging. • Maintain and execute editorial planning for leadership communications, including awards, recognition programs, and key milestones. • Synthesize and translate organizational achievements into content for executive leadership, board materials, and enterprise communications.
- Corporate / External Communications • Develop and deliver external communications that promote the organization’s clinical, research, and operational excellence, including media materials and announcements. • Translate complex clinical and research topics into accessible, compelling narratives for patients, media, and community audiences. • Ensure consistency in tone, voice, and messaging across all communication channels, reinforcing brand integrity and trust. • Collaborate with communications, marketing, and university partners to amplify content across internal and external platforms. • Identify and prioritize storytelling opportunities aligned with organizational strategy, media landscape, and leadership priorities. • Lead content development processes, including stakeholder alignment, approvals, and distribution strategies. • Maintain and evolve editorial standards, style guidelines, and best practices for communications materials.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- Req Bachelor’s Degree Degree in related field.
- Req 8 years Experience researching, writing and editing communications materials, preferably within a health care, higher education, news media or other highly regulated organization or agency.
- Req Experience writing, editing and proofreading executive communications materials; ability to adopt tone and voice of health system leadership while maintaining brand alignment.
- Req High emotional intelligence and excellent written and verbal communications skills for working directly with C-Suite leaders, clinical subject matter experts, clinical department chairs, University colleagues and other staff.
- Req Experience writing, editing and proofreading news media materials, including press releases.
- Req Strong attention to detail; ability to edit others’ work for brand voice and clarity.
- Req Ability to learn/utilize content management platforms for press release and newsletter distribution. Utilize internal project management system for cross-team collaboration and sharing content.
- Req Thorough knowledge of word processing and Associated Press stylebook.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Pref Master’s degree Degree in communications/public relations or management
- Pref Basic knowledge of photo editing software.
Required Licenses/Certifications:
- Req Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only)
The annual base salary range for this position is $95,680.00 - $158,230.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.
USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.
We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at [email protected]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.
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