Strategic Communications Specialist – Clinical Trials Office

Job Description

UW Medicine works to improve the health of the public by advancing medical knowledge, providing outstanding primary and specialty medical care to people of the region, and preparing tomorrow’s physicians, scientists and other health professionals. Within the large UW Medicine health system, the School of Medicine (SoM) is a world leader in biomedical research, among the largest biomedical research programs at a public university based on National Institutes of Health funding and ranking among the top research universities internationally.

The Clinical Trials Office (CTO) supports the clinical research mission of UW Medicine. The CTO is an operational unit within the SoM’s Office of Research and Graduate Education charged with providing multi-service support to clinical researchers bringing important new therapies to our patients in compliance with evolving regulatory requirements.

The CTO Strategic Communications Specialist is the face of the operation since they are often the primary developer and distributor of important information about strategic operational changes and improvements. The outreach by the incumbent will include not only internal UW research faculty, staff and administrators, but those from our strategic partner institutions as well.

The position is key for designing and maintaining effective, informative, and creative operating communications and for productively engaging with all of our stakeholders via multiple channels, including websites, staff and leadership forums, operational workgroups, printed materials, etc.

This position is a part of the operational CTO leadership and reports to the CTO Director.

The Clinical Trials Office is a central clinical research operation with compliance responsibilities and services across the vast portfolio of clinical trials in UW Medicine. The CTO operation has direct impact on UW reputation with major global biotech and biopharma sponsors and the availability of funded clinical trial opportunities in UW pipeline. In addition, the CTO plays a key role in mitigating institutional financial and reputational risks by ensuring strict compliance with the CMS and the FDA regulations and guidelines. The CTO Strategic Communications Specialist is a key position to maintain secure, transparent and fully compliant CTO operation.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

CTO Training and Strategic Communications

• Design, develop, introduce and implement research staff and faculty education and training materials
• Organize and present information about CTO services and impact in a dynamic, creative and effective way
• Establish and maintain CTO web presence relevant to all stakeholders that offers meaningful and well-organized information
• Develop and disseminate timely communication about operational changes, improvements and adjustments to our research community
• Design, create and introduce effective research study and research subject-facing content and materials to optimize study recruitment and retention strategies
• Develop and disseminate trial start-up tools and templates for clinical research study teams
• Identify and effectively collaborate with subject matter experts to serve as resource for content development and presentation
• Collaborate with various UW programs and our strategic partner institutions in developing new and improving existing training resources.  Our strategic partners include the UW Institute of Translational Health Sciences (ITHS), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (Fred Hutch), the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA), and Seattle Children’s Hospital (SCH).
• Design and establish effective strategy and materials for onboarding of internal staff
• Continually monitor, evaluate and adjust the training program based on user feedback and operational changes
• Present strategic training, communication and operating improvement ideas to leadership

CTO Brand and Marketing Efforts

• Accelerate awareness for the UW Clinical Trial Office services and footprint among the key stakeholders, including study teams, investigators, UW departments and divisions, UW leadership, external partner institutions and our sponsors
• Design, reassess and improve the CTO website structure and content presentation
• Build and maintain relationships with our investigators, study teams, subjects and sponsors to document and memorialize the UW CTO research success stories
• Serve as liaison with the UW Medicine, ITHS and Cancer Consortium branding offices

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing or related field
• Five years of relevant experience in an academic work environment

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Additional Requirements.

• Ability to manage competing priorities with minimal direction
• Demonstrated skills in MS Office and design software programs, e.g. Acrobat DC, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premier, etc
• Demonstrated experience effectively managing multiple project timelines
• Excellent written communication skills to draft complex correspondence
• Outstanding verbal and interpersonal communication skills to be able to interact effectively with all levels of leadership, faculty, research staff, sponsors, and clients
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently as a team member

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in a Clinical Trials Office or a similar clinical research operation
• Ability to effectively utilize data and metrics in support of process improvement
• Experience designing employee training materials

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

Pay Range Maximum:

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

Shift:

Temporary or Regular?

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

Union/Bargaining Unit:

About the UW 

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.  

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

Our Commitment 

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu. 

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.