Manager, Communications Labor And Workforce And Reputation Management

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

Organization:

SHSO-Sutter Health System Office-Valley

Position Overview:

Reporting to: Senior Director, External Communications

Role Overview

This role requires a seasoned communications professional with demonstrated experience supporting labor relations, workforce issues and crisis communications in high-stakes environments. The Communications Manager, Labor, Issues & Crisis plays a critical role in protecting and strengthening Sutter Health's reputation by supporting labor-related and workforce communications, managing complex and evolving issues, and helping execute crisis response strategies in close partnership with senior leaders, Legal, and HR/Labor Relations.

You bring a strong passion for issues management and crisis communications, a clear understanding of labor and workforce dynamics, and the ability to operate with confidence, discretion, and sound judgment during moments of heightened risk and scrutiny. You are comfortable working in fast-paced environments shaped by labor activity and workforce issues and collaborate effectively across teams to ensure communications are timely, aligned, and credible.

This role operates at a manager-level scope, providing day-to-day leadership on labor and issues communications while aligning closely with senior communications leadership on strategy, decision-making, and escalation.

Job Description:

What You'll Do

Crisis Communications, Issues Management & Preparedness

• Support the execution and ongoing refinement of Sutter Health's crisis communications strategy and playbooks to reinforce trust, credibility, and reputation with key stakeholders.
• Coordinate timely, accurate, and aligned communications responses during crisis situations and sensitive issues by working closely with internal stakeholders and subject matter experts.
• Apply a strong understanding of organizational policies, processes, and stakeholder perspectives to help shape effective communications approaches.
• Execute issues-related communications plans and campaigns that support organizational priorities and mitigate reputational risk.
• Contribute to proactive issue mitigation by identifying potential vulnerabilities early and helping develop messaging frameworks and response materials to prevent escalation.
• Lead the development and ongoing distribution of issues- and labor-focused media monitoring and intelligence, delivering clear summaries, trend analysis, and actionable insights to communications leadership.
• Support continuous improvement by evaluating the effectiveness of crisis and issues management efforts and refining approaches based on outcomes and feedback.

Labor & Reputation-Focused Communications

• Serve as the primary communications lead for labor relations, workforce matters, organizing activity, negotiations, workforce actions, and other reputationally sensitive issues, in close coordination with Legal, HR/Labor Relations, and communications leadership.
• Serve as a day-to-day lead for assigned labor- and workforce-related issues, coordinating timely, accurate, and aligned communications responses in close partnership with internal stakeholders and subject matter experts.
• Draft, refine, and align messaging for complex or sensitive labor-related topics, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and alignment with legal and organizational guidance and Sutter Health values.
• Monitor labor activity, external narratives, and media coverage to identify emerging risks, misinformation, or escalation triggers, and elevate concerns as appropriate.
• Work closely with and help manage relationships with external crisis communications agency partners to ensure alignment and readiness.

This role requires prior experience supporting labor relations, workforce communications, or labor-related issues in a highly regulated and/or unionized environment.

Media Relations & Content Development

• Bring demonstrated passion for-and success in-media relations, particularly in the context of labor, crisis, or other high-profile public affairs issues.
• Serve as a key resource during crises by supporting media relations efforts, disseminating accurate information, and helping influence public perception.
• Develop high-quality external communications materials, including press releases, statements, media kits, Q&A documents, and executive briefing materials.
• Translate complex labor, policy, and workforce topics into clear, human, and accessible messaging for media and external audiences.
• Ensure all content reflects Sutter Health's voice, tone, and messaging standards, especially during high-visibility or high-pressure situations.
• Partner with digital, social, and creative teams to adapt core messaging across platforms while maintaining message integrity.

Collaboration & Day-to-Day Leadership

• Serve as a trusted communications partner to internal teams, providing guidance on labor communications, crisis response, and issues management best practices.
• Manage timelines, approvals, and cross-functional coordination to ensure work moves efficiently and responsively.
• Support the Senior Director of External Communications by advancing labor and issues priorities, flagging reputational risks, and helping ensure consistency across external messaging.
• Collaborate closely with senior leaders to align communications approaches with business objectives, while operating within a manager-level scope.

EDUCATION:

• Equivalent experience will be accepted in lieu of the required degree or diploma.
• Bachelor's: Communications, English, Journalism, Public Relations (PR), or related field

TYPICAL EXPERIENCE:

• 8 years recent relevant experience

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Comprehensive knowledge of strategic communications planning, social networking, graphic standards/corporate identity management, graphic design principles, news/feature/speech/online/script writing and editing techniques, publications development/production/management, principles of photography and audio/video production, audience list maintenance and special events coordination.
• Thorough understanding of communications planning, graphic design and production, multi-media, brand management, publications, digital channels (web, social, etc.), special events, leadership presentations and research.
• Expert communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills, presentation and negotiation competencies, with the ability to interpret corporate goals and translate them into an effective communications/constituent relations plan.
• Business acumen and exceptional analytic skills with the proven ability to provide innovative communication solutions to complex problems and to meet business objectives.
• Demonstrated understanding of regional, state, and national health care and medicine issues, Northern California current events, and cultural and health care trends.
• Exceptional attention to detail with time management and organization skills, including the demonstrated ability to maintain production schedules and strictly adhere to multiple timelines and budgets.
• Working knowledge of selecting/hiring third-party talent for creative services, graphic design and production, publication development and management, market research and advertising.
• Proficient computer skills, including advance competency in Microsoft Office suite and a solid knowledge of graphic design, data management, and statistical analysis software.
• Synthesize information and ideas across a variety of subject matter areas and to create communication plans that generate an engaging and positive reader experience.
• 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:

As Needed

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. Emeryville Pay Range is $143,478.40 to $215,217.20 / 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.