Director, Business Strategy & Operations - External Affairs

Calling all Esteemed Leaders! Are you a strategic operator who excels at translating vision into execution, leading through influence, and enabling executive leaders to drive meaningful organizational impact? Do you thrive in fast-paced, highly matrixed environments where strategy, communications, stakeholder engagement, and operational excellence intersect? This leadership opportunity invites your expertise.

The Role: 

The Director, Business Strategy & Operations – External Affairs reports to the Chief Communication and External Affairs Officer and will enable the Executive to work most effectively with internal and external stakeholders and fulfill commitments to serve the evolving needs of Providence St. Joseph Health.

The Director is a key strategic partner with executive leadership, who will have end-to-end responsibility for the business and administrative operations of the team. The position will establish strong collaborative relationships with key leaders throughout the organization.

The Director will advise the Chief Communication and External Affairs Officer and serve as a thought partner on major strategic considerations; coordinate and execute strategy; improve the team's capabilities and performance where possible; and deliver on analysis and consulting assignments.

What You'll Do:

• Partner with Chief Comms and External Affairs Officer and Executive Leadership Team to support strategy, priorities, and transformation initiatives.
• Partner with Communication Operations to support ongoing project management.
• Lead, organize and coordinate all-team meetings to ensure effective communication and decision-making.
• Lead annual and monthly budget process and communication needs for Comms, Marketing and External Affairs with Finance and Ops team partners.
• Lead Escher-specific financial sustainability needs for teams as appropriate.
• Serve as a strategic advisor and extension of the Chief Comms and External Affairs Officer and Executive Leadership Team to anticipate priorities, risks and opportunities.
• Manage team rhythms and governance processes to ensure focus on highest-impact priorities.
• Run quarterly All-Hands meetings, Leadership Team meetings and follow up communications.
• Lead annual performance review cycle for team, survey results and action planning, and other related programs in partnership with leadership and centers of excellence.
• Lead internal and external executive briefings, talking points, presentations, and system-level communications.
• Facilitate alignment and collaboration across the Executive Leadership Team and key stakeholders.
• Lead, facilitate and plan Top 200 and Executive Council calls, including close collaboration with CEOC members on strategic messaging, follow up communications and tracking of action items.
• Strengthen leadership effectiveness, accountability and decision-making.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, accountability and care.
• Lead change management efforts associated with major organizational initiatives for Chief of Communications, Marketing and External Affairs, working with HR, CEOC members, COO Chief of Staff, Strategy Leaders and Finance stakeholders.

What You’ll Bring:

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor's Degree in Communication, Public Relations, Marketing, Business Administration, or related field.
• Master's Degree (preferred)

Experience & Expertise

• 7 years of experience advising and facilitating key leaders in areas of strategic planning, business performance, and optimization.
• 7 years of project leadership in a complex work environment (large healthcare provider preferred).
• 7 years of demonstrated experience working in highly matrixed and geographically dispersed organizations and teams.

Professional & Leadership Capabilities

• Demonstrated writing and editing excellence.
• Deep knowledge of integrated health care and communication practices.
• Ability to create strong, strategic business relationships with senior executives and board leadership at both the organizational and region/ministry levels.
• Ability to work collaboratively across a diverse, matrixed marketing and communication team to ensure messaging and programs are delivered quickly, consistently and powerfully across multiple channels and locations.
• Ability to drive proactive, powerful messaging in support of a brand position.
• Agility and flexibility in coordinating multiple high-level projects, and just-in-time issues and work assignments.

Why Join Us?

• Executive Partnership: Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the Chief Communication and External Affairs Officer and senior leadership team.
• Enterprise Impact: Help shape priorities, governance, communications, and transformation initiatives across a complex healthcare organization.
• Strategic Influence: Drive alignment, accountability, and execution on initiatives that support organizational goals and mission.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Partner with leaders across communications, marketing, external affairs, finance, operations, HR, and strategy.
• Mission‑Driven Work: Advance Providence’s commitment to serving communities through effective communication, leadership, and organizational excellence.

Ready to Shape the Future of Healthcare?

If you are a strategic thinker and operational leader who thrives in supporting executive decision-making, driving organizational effectiveness, and translating strategy into action, we encourage you to apply.

The full pay range is listed in accordance with applicable law. Final compensation will be determined based on qualifications, experience, organizational compensation alignment, and the approved hiring department budget for the position. This position may also be eligible for incentive compensation and benefits.