Sutter Health · 10 hours ago
Manager, Communications Labor and Workforce and Reputation Management
Sacramento, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$126K/yr - $189K/yr
8+ years expSutter Health is a healthcare organization seeking a Communications Manager specializing in labor relations and crisis communications. This role is crucial for managing labor-related communications, supporting crisis response strategies, and safeguarding the organization's reputation through effective messaging and collaboration with senior leaders.
Health CareHospitalNon Profit
Responsibilities
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
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
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
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
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's: Communications, English, Journalism, Public Relations (PR), or related field
8 years recent relevant experience
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
Preferred
Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from PRSA
Benefits
Comprehensive benefits package
Company
Sutter Health
Sutter Health is a non-profit organization operating a network of hospitals and physicians in Northern California.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
Sutter Health has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (19)
2024 (16)
2023 (14)
2022 (21)
2021 (24)
2020 (30)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$27.17MKey Investors
Department of Health Care Services
2025-05-19Grant· $23M
2016-11-22Grant· $1.2M
2013-10-09Grant· $2M
Leadership Team
Megan Gillespie
Chief Executive Officer
Warner L. Thomas
Chief Executive Officer
Recent News
2025-11-19
2025-11-19
Company data provided by crunchbase