Executive Director, Leadership Communications in the Office of the President

UTHealth Houston is looking for an Executive Director of Leadership Communications. This role will be responsible for developing and executing strategic communication initiatives that elevate the visibility, reputation, and thought leadership of UTHealth Houston's president, senior leadership, and institutional priorities. This role blends senior-level writing, messaging strategy, executive event communications, and digital communications expertise to advance the university's mission of excellence in education, research, and clinical care. The role demands that you lead this area, manage projects, and supervise people directly and indirectly.

Working within the Marketing and Communications team, the Executive Director ensures alignment with institutional goals and leads the development of compelling, consistent executive communications across multiple channels - strengthening the connection between university leadership and key internal and external audiences. This role works closely with the Office of the President and requires a hybrid schedule. You will also help plan and attend events alongside our highest-level leadership.

Essential Functions

Strategic and Executive Communications: Leads the development and execution of executive communications strategies that highlight UTHealth Houston’s leadership, strategic vision, and institutional impact. Drafts and oversees speeches, remarks, internal messages, op-eds, presentations, talking points, social media posts, and other high-profile materials for the president and senior leaders. Translates complex academic, clinical, and research topics into clear, engaging content tailored to specific audiences. Provides senior-level counsel on tone, message development, and delivery for leadership communications.

Executive Event Planning and Support: Provides strategic communications leadership for executive-level events, including institutional events, community engagements, and special initiatives. Develops event messaging, remarks, and materials that align with institutional priorities and reinforce leadership visibility. Partners with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure high-quality event execution, seamless logistics, and consistent branding. Anticipates communication opportunities tied to events and proactively identifies ways to extend their reach through media, digital, and social channels.

Digital and Social Presence: Provides strategic direction for digital storytelling and online visibility efforts that amplify institutional and leadership initiatives. Oversees content planning and coordination for leadership-related channels, ensuring a consistent voice and alignment with the university’s brand. Monitors engagement and trends to refine strategies that strengthen audience reach and impact.

Brand and Reputation Management: Collaborates across university departments and schools to identify and promote stories of innovation, community impact, and excellence. Ensures leadership messaging reinforces UTHealth Houston’s mission, values, and strategic priorities. Anticipates communication needs and develops proactive messaging around institutional opportunities and challenges.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field required.

• Master's Degree preferred.

Work Experience

• 7 years of progressive experience in executive or strategic communications required
• 2 years of prior leadership experience, whether that be managing employees or functioning as a team or departmental lead required
• Prior experience working with healthcare, academic medicine, or university environments preferred
• Experience with companies, institutions, or organizations that use a shared services model in communications preferred
• Experience supporting executive communications or thought leadership initiatives for senior administrators, public officials, or organizational leaders preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated experience advising senior leaders and supporting executive-level communications.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with demonstrated ability to adapt tone and style for senior leadership.
• Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to manage sensitive and high-profile information
• Demonstrated experience advising senior leaders and supporting executive-level communications.
• Proficiency with analytics and content management tools for digital communications.

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code §117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.