Responsibilities

• The Senior Director, Marketing & Communications is the senior communications and marketing leader for the UNM Health Sciences Center.
• This role is responsible for developing and executing integrated marketing and communications strategies across all of UNM HSC’s mission areas: academic health professions, education, biomedical and translational research, clinical care, and community health.
• Reporting directly to the HSC Chief of Staff and working closely with the UNM Chief Marketing and Communications Officer (CMCO), the Senior Director leads a team of marketing and communications professionals and holds primary communications authority across the UNM HSC portfolio.
• The role functions as the strategic marketing and communications advisor to HSC senior leadership—including the EVP for Health Sciences, Hospital CEO, Dean of the School of Medicine, and other Health Sciences academic and clinical leaders.
• This position is integral to UNM’s One University marketing and communications structure and works in close coordination with the CMCO to advance institutional alignment, shared brand standards, and cross-campus collaboration.
• The Senior Director contributes to division-level and university-wide brand strategy and ensures that UNM HSC’s communications and marketing activity reflects both the distinct mission of the health enterprise and the broader reputation of the University.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s in communications, marketing, journalism, public health, public administration, or a related field.
• Experience working in an academic medical center, health system, or academic health sciences environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the missions, culture, and governance structures of a public research university and affiliated health system, including the distinct dynamics of academic medicine.
• Demonstrated record of developing and leading integrated marketing and communications functions for a complex, multi-mission institution or enterprise.
• Proven experience as a senior communications advisor to executive leadership, governing boards, or institutional senior leaders in high-stakes environments.
• Experience leading organizational change, building or restructuring communications teams, and establishing operational frameworks and standards.
• Track record of effective budget stewardship, hiring and talent management, and staff development.
• Comprehensive expertise in brand strategy, institutional positioning, and message development across diverse internal and external audiences.
• Demonstrated success in media and public relations, including experience managing complex or sensitive institutional situations, crisis communications, and legislative or regulatory environments.
• Expertise in digital communications, including web strategy, social media, and content marketing across patient-facing, research, and academic audiences.