Communications Manager

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Job Summary
The Wisconsin Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) and the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health (WORH) are seeking a dynamic, collaborative Communications Manager to lead statewide communication efforts that strengthen learner recruitment, partner engagement, and public visibility. This role is shared equally between AHEC and WORH and plays a key part in advancing health equity and rural health initiatives across Wisconsin. The primary home for this position is on the Wisconsin AHEC team, and the primary supervisor will be the Statewide Director of Wisconsin AHEC.

Travel and location requirements: This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non‑campus work location.

Additional travel requirements will involve onsite visits to different AHEC Centers, program events, and WORH partner hospitals across the state of Wisconsin.

Must provide a valid driver's license. Employees may use their own transportation or receive approval for University Car Fleet usage. Employment is conditional pending the results of a Pre-hire Driver Authorization Check.

In this position, you will develop and execute comprehensive communications strategies, manage digital and print outreach, and ensure consistent, accessible, and compelling messaging across both units. You’ll work closely with teams across the state to identify editorial needs, craft high‑quality content, and maintain strong brand and style standards.

This position is perfect for a creative communicator who thrives in mission‑driven environments and enjoys telling stories that elevate public health work statewide. Success in this role requires:

Strong collaboration and relationship management skills to coordinate across a matrix organizational structure

Strong project management and process improvement skills to oversee simultaneous and sometimes interdependent project timelines

Adaptability and change management skills to lead through shifting priorities or ambiguity

Ability to provide advisement, coaching, tools, or training to support staff and program implementation

Ability to apply editorial judgement (for example, in the use of generative AI tools)

Candidates who demonstrate the following will be given first consideration:

Ability to translate complex information to on-the-ground impact in Wisconsin Rural communities through clear and compelling storytelling

Ability to apply plain language principles and accessible design practices for ADA compliance

Mission-centered insights and reporting to inform strategic planning and prioritization

Website content management using WordPress

Graphic design using Adobe Suite or Canva

Key Job Responsibilities

Develops, implements, and delivers communication materials through various mediums to designated audiences

Plans, writes, and edits content for various internal and external stakeholders

Plans and directs unit programs and/or projects to ensure adherence to deadlines and budgets

Serve as the Digital Accessibility Liaison for AHEC and the WORH

Identifies, proposes, and implements new or revised unit operational policies and procedures

Manages the day-to-day operational unit plans to align with strategic initiatives and to meet established objectives

Department
School of Medicine and Public Health, Public Health & Community Engagement

The Wisconsin Area Health Education Centers Program (WI AHEC) and Wisconsin Office of Rural Health (WORH) are part of the Public Health & Community Engagement unit at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. WI AHEC drives health workforce education and training through a network of seven regional AHEC Centers and the WORH focuses on supporting the ongoing sustainability of rural hospitals, healthcare quality improvement, and provider placement.

Compensation
The starting salary for the position is $70,000 annually; but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.

Benefits
Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. For more information, refer to the campus benefits webpage and the SMPH Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026.

Required Qualifications

Minimum 3 years of experience in communications, or outreach and engagement, directly supporting community organizations and/or educational institutions

Experience with internal content management using a cloud‑based productivity suite (e.g. Microsoft Office, Google)

Experience creating multi‑channel, multi‑media communications for professional publication (e.g. press releases, blogs, social media, website, infographics, outreach materials)

Experience developing, applying, or enforcing brand guidelines

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in health outreach or community service programs is preferred; relevant experience in building relationships with rural health partners is strongly preferred

Experience coordinating communication plans across multiple programs, functions, and/or site locations

Experience developing, applying, or enforcing digital accessibility standards

Education

Bachelor’s Degree preferred; focus in Communications, Public Health, or Community Health preferred

Legal and Diversity Statement
Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States; no university sponsorship available. The selected applicant will be responsible for providing proof of continuous eligibility to work and the University will not support a J‑1 waiver.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

To request a disability or pregnancy‑related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre‑employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

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