Manager, Communications

We are so glad you are interested in joining Sutter Health!

Organization:

SHSO-Sutter Health System Office-Valley

Position Overview:

Reporting to the Director, Corporate Affairs, and working in close partnership with the Communications Leadership Team, Marketing leaders, and cross-functional stakeholders, this role helps shape, protect, and advance Sutter Health’s reputation through integrated corporate and public affairs strategies. Leads strategic communications and corporate affairs initiatives—including issues management, stakeholder engagement, and policy-related communications—that support enterprise priorities, strengthen organizational positioning, and build trust with key internal and external audiences.

Responsible for developing and executing comprehensive, research-driven communication strategies and narratives that align with business objectives and address the evolving external landscape, including regulatory, political, and community considerations. Oversees the creation of targeted messaging and campaigns that effectively engage priority stakeholders such as policymakers, community partners, employees, clinicians and media, positioning Sutter Health as a trusted, mission-driven healthcare leader.

Leads the design and implementation of integrated campaigns, initiatives, and events that leverage a mix of earned, owned, shared, and paid channels. Partners closely with digital, social, brand, creative services, and multimedia teams to ensure cohesive storytelling and consistent voice across platforms. Supports proactive and reactive reputation management efforts, including risk assessment, message development, and coordination of response strategies.

Advances and protects the Sutter Health brand and reputation through data-informed insights, audience segmentation, and performance measurement, identifying opportunities to strengthen public perception and competitive differentiation. Provides strategic counsel and analytical guidance to cross-functional teams and senior leaders on communications approaches tied to key business initiatives and reputational priorities.

Oversees and develops team members and manages external agency and contract resources to deliver high-quality work on time and within budget. Evaluates communications strategies, content, and distribution approaches to ensure effectiveness, efficiency, and alignment with enterprise goals.

Job Description:

Ideal candidate will have:

• 8+ years of progressive experience in corporate affairs, public affairs, or strategic communications, ideally within healthcare, public-sector, or highly regulated industries
• Demonstrated experience leading enterprise or system-level communications strategies tied to reputation, issues management, policy advocacy, or other high-visibility issue areas - including executing integrated communications campaigns across earned, owned, shared and paid channels
• Strong leadership presence and experience providing counsel to senior leaders and cross-functional partners, preferably within a highly matrixed organization
• Experience managing and developing teams and/or external agencies, with accountability for budgets, timelines, and quality of work
• A track record using data, research, analytics, and/or performance insights to inform strategy, messaging and analysis of communications strategic impact

These Principal Accountabilities, Requirements and Qualifications are not exhaustive, but are merely the most descriptive of the current job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, staff changes, workload, or technical development).

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Articulate a vision, translate complex business ideas into lay terms, work with staff at all levels of the organization. Assess and understand target audience attitudes, opinions, and preferences.
• Manage, prioritize, adapt, and drive numerous projects with multiple and rapidly changing priorities while still delivering quality communications on-time and on-budget.
• Foster a collaborative environment, to influence individuals or groups with diverse opinions and to enlist cooperation without direct control/authority.
• Negotiate effectively with staff, senior management, vendors, media partnerships, external agencies, and organizations. Identify and resolve technical, operational, and organizational problems using policies, procedures and department plan.
• Establish, build, and maintain effective working relationships with peers, stakeholders, executives, external agencies, consultants, and relevant industry influencers.
• Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from PRSA

Job Shift:

Days

Schedule:

Full Time

Days of the Week:

Monday - Friday

Weekend Requirements:

Occasionally

Benefits:

Yes

Unions:

No

Position Status:

Exempt

Weekly Hours:

40

Employee Status:

Regular

Sutter Health is an equal opportunity employer EOE/M/F/Disability/Veterans.

Pay Range is $126,256.00 to $189,384.00 / annual salary

The compensation range may vary based on the geographic location where the position is filled. Total compensation considers multiple factors, including, but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, licensure, certifications, departmental equity, training, and organizational needs. Base pay is only one component of Sutter Health’s comprehensive total rewards program. Eligible positions also include a comprehensive benefits package.