Director, Internal & External Communications

The Director of Internal & External Communications provides strategic leadership of internal and external communications functions for content, corporate communications and public relations, including executive communications, key internal communications partnerships, public relations and media relations, and social media. Enables informative, timely and effective communications that support the enterprise-wide strategies and business goals of Memorial Health System, consistent with Memorial Health System standards of excellence. Working closely with the Director of Marketing & Brand, oversees the strategic development of annual business partner communications plans for internal and external priorities, aligned with organizational strategic goals to grow volumes, improve reputation and advance business objectives across the health system. Leads teams to build cohesive alignment among the department and organizational business partners, using best practices for high-performing Marketing & Communications teams that embody the Memorial Health System values of Safety, Integrity, Quality and Stewardship, in support of our mission, vision and goals.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, marketing, public relations or related field required; master’s degree preferred.

Experience:

• 8-10 years of experience in communications, marketing, public relations or a related field.
• Healthcare or hospital system communications, corporate communications, media relations and social media experience preferred.

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated leadership, team-building and performance management skills.
• Expert oral and written communications skills, and exceptional listening attributes.
• Expert writing, drafting, editing and content creation skills.
• Proven record of accomplishment in leading cross-functional teams where achieving effective outcomes relies on an ability to work cooperatively with others, persuade and influence.
• Demonstrated effective use of best practices and innovative trends in communications, social media and public relations.
• Excellent human relation skills and experience working with a broad range of people in diverse settings.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and measure quantitative and qualitative information in support of data-driven communications.
• Demonstrated proficiency of Microsoft applications. Willingness to become proficient in other system-adopted software and programs.
• Strong personal and professional commitment to Memorial Health System’s mission, vision, values and health system culture.
• Proven ability to quickly grasp industry and business-wide concepts to assess implications to drive actions and to capitalize on opportunities.

1. Directs the internal and external communications functions of the health system
2. Leads the development and execution of a comprehensive content strategy supporting internal and external communications goals.
3. Oversees social media analytics to ensure growth in engagement and reach; provides regular reporting and optimization recommendations.
4. Leads the development and execution of a comprehensive content strategy supporting internal and external communications goals.
5. Supports the Vice President of Marketing & Communications in executive leadership of the marketing & communications department.
6. Directs and manages budget functions for internal and external communications within the overall Marketing & Communications budget. Maintains expenditures within approved budgets.
7. Develops annual goals internal and external communications goals consistent with Memorial Health System’s Strategic Plan and Goals and monitors the status of goal achievement using 30-day action plans.
8. Leads managers for internal and external communications functions, and executive communications business partners and specialists. Oversees the professional development track of supervised staff.
9. In conjunction with the VP of Marketing & Communications, develops and maintains internal and external communications policies and procedures including but not limited to social media, crisis communications, media relations and internal communications.
10. Provides crisis communications strategy, counsel and responses to enterprise spokespersons and serves at the organization’s PIO in conjunction with the Manager of External Communications and the VP of Marketing & Communications when necessary, during crisis or Incident Command activation.
11. Works closely with the MarComm Digital Experience team to align framework, policy, process and deployment of internal communications on WorkVivo and other internal communications platforms.
12. Evaluates trends in content/writing, corporate communications, public and media relations and social media and implements innovations to continually advance the work and improve the experience provided.
13. Supports documentation of processes, team standards and cross-functional workflows. Holds consistent meetings and touchpoints with department managers, team members and business partners to align on workflows, deadlines and to keep work flowing smoothing among the department leads.
14. Maintains up-to-date records of project status, timelines, and deliverables using adopted team project tracking tools. In a shared report with the Director of Marketing & Brand, reports internal communications functions progress weekly to the VP of Marketing & Communications for review and oversight.
15. Develops and maintains productive relationships with System Leadership Team, leaders, and colleagues.
16. Serves as subject matter expert for internal and external communications functions. Together with MarComm Business Partners, serves as a resource on committees, task forces, meetings and activities to assist the system with achieving strategic objectives.
17. Maintains professional affiliations as appropriate. Enhances professional growth and development through participation in continuing education, in-service meetings/seminars and workshops.
18. Performs other related work as required or requested.