Communications Director

JOB DETAILS Department: Public Relations FTE: 1.00 (80 hours per pay period) Workdays: Monday - Friday Shift(s): Days Shift Length: 8 hours Location: In-Person Purpose of this position: Leads the integrated communications team responsible for enterprise-wide strategic communications across all platforms—internal, external, digital, media, storytelling, executive communications, and organizational change. Ensures consistent, accurate, timely, and high‑quality communications that strengthen organizational reputation, support patient and community trust, and advance system priorities. Primary leader for crisis communications, media relations escalation, and high‑stakes public messaging within a major public health system, consistent with crisis and emergency readiness expectations identified across peer public hospital systems. This position will report to the Vice President of Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs.
Responsibilities Crisis & Public Relations Leadership
Serve as the senior lead for crisis communications, coordinating rapid response, media inquiries, high‑profile issues, and patient‑privacy‑sensitive situations
Act as escalation point for urgent communications needs, ensuring clear decision pathways, timely approvals, and controlled distribution of information
Oversee systemwide media relations operations, including request triage, spokesperson preparedness, message development, and coordinated responses with Legal, Privacy, Security, clinical leadership, and county partners
Maintain emergency communication readiness, participate in emergency management planning, and support PIO functions during incidents or drills—aligned with public hospital PIO models included in major system profiles
Monitor emerging issues and media trends to assess risk, recommend mitigation strategies, and guide leadership through sensitive communications
Strategic Communications Leadership
Lead the communications team responsible for integrated communications across all platforms, ensuring coordination, work sequencing, and consistency of organizational voice
Oversee internal communications channels including Scanner, Scanner for Leaders, CEO messages, intranet/SharePoint updates, newsletters, and enterprise‑wide announcements
Direct storytelling, content strategy, digital communication, and message alignment across all audiences—internal, external, community, and media
Ensure a “single source of truth” approach for major organizational messaging, providing leaders with aligned talking points, FAQs, scripts, and toolkits before broader communication
Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on communication opportunities, risks, messaging strategy, public perception, and organizational change
Executive & Leadership Communications
Draft executive and CEO messages, scripts, video content, talking points, and systemwide updates; manage review cycles with relevant executives and subject‑matter partners
Support CEO and senior leaders for presentations, board materials, leadership forums, and major organizational announcements
Provide communication guidance and decision support during high‑visibility initiatives or sensitive public issues
Team Leadership & Operational Management
Manage communications staff through structured cadences including weekly 1:1s, staff meetings, workload reviews, coaching, and performance evaluations
Oversee project intake, resource prioritization, work sequencing, and cross‑department coordination
Maintain department policies, communication governance standards, moderation guidelines, approval pathways, and channel ownership documentation
Review communication metrics, feedback, and performance to refine channels, cadence, content strategy, and leader support materials
Enterprise Communications Responsibilities
Lead internal and employee communication strategies, including integrated messaging across departments and business lines
Support recurring leadership communications such as Lead Together and Talk Together, including agendas, scripts, messaging, and follow‑up materials
Support Board‑related communication needs, including memos, updates, packets, and meeting preparation
Ensure communication plans, cascade sequences, and internal/external messaging are executed accurately for major organizational initiatives
Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, or related field
8 plus years of experience in marketing and communications with preferred healthcare experience, or equivalent experience
At least 5 years in a leadership role
Experience managing direct reports and coaching and supporting team members
-OR-
An approved equivalent combination of education and experience
Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills
Proficient in use of all Microsoft Office products
Highly organized and detailed with ability to manage multiple projects at once
Strong interpersonal skills with ability to build relationships at all levels within organization
Strong presentation skills
Strong project management skills

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