Program Manager, Communications & PR - Hybrid (On-Site Required)
Mary Washington Healthcare, Fredericksburg, VA, United States
Start the day excited to make a difference...end the day knowing you did. Come join our team.
The Manager of Communications & Public Relations plays a critical role in advancing the healthcare system's mission, reputation, and strategic priorities through high-impact internal and external communications. This role leads media relations and PR execution, supports executive communications, and elevates the organization's visibility across clinical, operational, and community-focused initiatives. Working closely with senior leadership, clinical leaders, internal stakeholders, and external agency partners, the Manager ensures consistent, accurate, and compelling messaging that reflects the organization's commitment to patient care, quality, safety, and community trust. The ideal candidate is a strategic communicator with strong healthcare experience, excellent writing skills, and the ability to manage complex projects in a highly regulated environment.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
Media Relations & Public Relations
Serve as the primary liaison with external PR agencies, overseeing agency‑led outreach to ensure alignment with organizational strategy, messaging, and priorities
Lead the development, review, and execution of press releases, media statements, and announcements related to clinical programs, quality outcomes, leadership updates, and organizational milestones
Build and maintain relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets, including healthcare trade publications
Track media coverage, maintain media lists, and report on earned media performance and trends
Support proactive storytelling to highlight patient care excellence, innovation, workforce achievements, and community impact
Team Leadership
Builds and leads a superior team by selecting, developing, and evaluating personnel to ensure the efficient operation of the Communication and Public Relations function/process
Executive & Leadership Communications
Draft and refine executive talking points, briefing materials, speeches, presentations, and Q&A documents for public appearances and media engagements
Support executives and clinical leaders in preparation for interviews, panels, conferences, and community events
Provide strategic counsel to senior leaders on communications approach, messaging, and stakeholder considerations
Crisis & Issues Management
Support the development and execution of crisis communications plans in coordination with legal, compliance, and clinical leadership
Assist with timely, accurate, and compassionate communications during sensitive or high‑impact situations
Monitor emerging issues and support leadership with messaging recommendations and response strategies
Events, Conferences & Community Engagement
Coordinate communications support for executive participation in conferences, panels, and external events
Draft abstracts, manage speaking submissions, and track event‑related deliverables and deadlines
Support PR outreach and media coordination for major organizational events, community initiatives, and key announcements
Maintain an event and speaking engagement tracker visible to leadership
Operations, Analytics & Reporting
Manage communications timelines, workflows, and publishing calendars using project management tools (e.g., Asana)
Monitor and analyze communications outcomes across media, PR, and events
Prepare regular performance reports and dashboards to measure effectiveness and inform continuous improvement
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field preferred
Minimum of five years of progressive experience in communications, public relations, or media relations; healthcare or mission‑driven organization experience required
Minimum of two years supervisory experience, required
Proven ability to write, edit, and tailor content for diverse audiences, including press releases, executive communications, talking points, speeches, announcements, digital content, and thought leadership
Demonstrated success in media relations, including pitching stories, securing earned media, and managing reporter relationships
Experience supporting or leading crisis communications, including rapid response, message coordination, and executive advisement
Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and approvals in a fast‑paced healthcare environment
Collaborative, detail‑oriented, and comfortable working across departments such as clinical operations, HR, legal, compliance, and executive leadership
Knowledge of healthcare systems, patient‑facing services, regulatory considerations (e.g., HIPAA), and community health issues preferred
As an EOE/AA employer, the organization will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status.
Physical Requirements
Constant (67-100% of workday) sitting and use of arms and hands; occasional (0-33% of workday) standing, walking, bending, squatting; ability to lift, push, and pull up to 10 lbs.; auditory and visual skills.
Mental Requirements
Possesses critical thinking and analytical skills. Ability to multi‑task. Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with a multi‑disciplinary team.
Environmental Requirements and Exposure Hazards
Potential risk of exposure to chemicals.
It is the policy of Mary Washington Healthcare to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability who are applicants for employment or associates.
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The Manager of Communications & Public Relations plays a critical role in advancing the healthcare system's mission, reputation, and strategic priorities through high-impact internal and external communications. This role leads media relations and PR execution, supports executive communications, and elevates the organization's visibility across clinical, operational, and community-focused initiatives. Working closely with senior leadership, clinical leaders, internal stakeholders, and external agency partners, the Manager ensures consistent, accurate, and compelling messaging that reflects the organization's commitment to patient care, quality, safety, and community trust. The ideal candidate is a strategic communicator with strong healthcare experience, excellent writing skills, and the ability to manage complex projects in a highly regulated environment.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
Media Relations & Public Relations
Serve as the primary liaison with external PR agencies, overseeing agency‑led outreach to ensure alignment with organizational strategy, messaging, and priorities
Lead the development, review, and execution of press releases, media statements, and announcements related to clinical programs, quality outcomes, leadership updates, and organizational milestones
Build and maintain relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets, including healthcare trade publications
Track media coverage, maintain media lists, and report on earned media performance and trends
Support proactive storytelling to highlight patient care excellence, innovation, workforce achievements, and community impact
Team Leadership
Builds and leads a superior team by selecting, developing, and evaluating personnel to ensure the efficient operation of the Communication and Public Relations function/process
Executive & Leadership Communications
Draft and refine executive talking points, briefing materials, speeches, presentations, and Q&A documents for public appearances and media engagements
Support executives and clinical leaders in preparation for interviews, panels, conferences, and community events
Provide strategic counsel to senior leaders on communications approach, messaging, and stakeholder considerations
Crisis & Issues Management
Support the development and execution of crisis communications plans in coordination with legal, compliance, and clinical leadership
Assist with timely, accurate, and compassionate communications during sensitive or high‑impact situations
Monitor emerging issues and support leadership with messaging recommendations and response strategies
Events, Conferences & Community Engagement
Coordinate communications support for executive participation in conferences, panels, and external events
Draft abstracts, manage speaking submissions, and track event‑related deliverables and deadlines
Support PR outreach and media coordination for major organizational events, community initiatives, and key announcements
Maintain an event and speaking engagement tracker visible to leadership
Operations, Analytics & Reporting
Manage communications timelines, workflows, and publishing calendars using project management tools (e.g., Asana)
Monitor and analyze communications outcomes across media, PR, and events
Prepare regular performance reports and dashboards to measure effectiveness and inform continuous improvement
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field preferred
Minimum of five years of progressive experience in communications, public relations, or media relations; healthcare or mission‑driven organization experience required
Minimum of two years supervisory experience, required
Proven ability to write, edit, and tailor content for diverse audiences, including press releases, executive communications, talking points, speeches, announcements, digital content, and thought leadership
Demonstrated success in media relations, including pitching stories, securing earned media, and managing reporter relationships
Experience supporting or leading crisis communications, including rapid response, message coordination, and executive advisement
Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and approvals in a fast‑paced healthcare environment
Collaborative, detail‑oriented, and comfortable working across departments such as clinical operations, HR, legal, compliance, and executive leadership
Knowledge of healthcare systems, patient‑facing services, regulatory considerations (e.g., HIPAA), and community health issues preferred
As an EOE/AA employer, the organization will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status.
Physical Requirements
Constant (67-100% of workday) sitting and use of arms and hands; occasional (0-33% of workday) standing, walking, bending, squatting; ability to lift, push, and pull up to 10 lbs.; auditory and visual skills.
Mental Requirements
Possesses critical thinking and analytical skills. Ability to multi‑task. Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with a multi‑disciplinary team.
Environmental Requirements and Exposure Hazards
Potential risk of exposure to chemicals.
It is the policy of Mary Washington Healthcare to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability who are applicants for employment or associates.
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