DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

We have an immediate opening for a Director of Strategic Communication to work with the Communications team and a broad range of departments and staff to develop and implement communications strategies for the company and its’ Foundation projects. The Director of Strategic Communication reports to the Vice President, Communications and works with substantial independence.

 

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

 

Working under the direction of VP for Communications the successful candidate will.

·  In conjunction with program areas and senior staff, develop overall strategic communication plans for projects and initiatives. Advise company staff on how to integrate communications and public affairs activities into their projects and initiatives. 

 

·  Develop and implement communication outreach strategies along with other company departments to important company constituencies, including policy makers, physicians, health plans, hospitals, employers, purchasers.

 

·  Help design and implement communication plan for Foundation activities.

 

·  Assist in providing overall direction in organizational messaging and branding.

 

·  Conduct research on possible venues and activities in which company leadership may participate to increase organizational visibility.

 

·  Create opportunities to promote and/or highlight company projects or initiatives.

 

·  Draft remarks and presentations for company CEO and Board members as appropriate.

 

·  Develop media contacts with print, television, radio and web-based media around company activities and programs.

 

·  Write and pitch op-eds and editorial board meetings for staff.

 

·  Research, draft and/or edit press releases, fact sheets, articles and other materials.

 

·  Contribute to and participate in tasks of the department as assigned. Participate in company priorities and institutional programming, as appropriate.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

·  Superior oral and written communications skills. Able to synthesize material and to focus quickly on the essence of an issue and the means to address it. Confident in presenting one’s own ideas and diplomatically persuading others as appropriate.

 

·  Excellent project management and a record of making sound judgments about competing priorities and managing time and resources well. Ability to work independently and meet and adapt to rapidly changing deadlines.

 

·  Flexibility, creativity and the ability to think strategically, juggle multiple priorities, organize time and identify resources for projects. Demonstrates strong time-management skills, including the ability to prioritize a broad range of critical, complex projects.

 

·  Understanding of media operations, news organizations and new media technologies.

 

·  Proven ability to work as a member of a team and individually to meet goals.

 

·  Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well in a matrixed environment.

 

·  Excellent communications skills: a strong writer, editor and presenter of ideas.

 

 

Education and Experience:

 

·  Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible strategic communications experience in the public policy and/or nonprofit arena. Experience in health care is a plus.

 Education: Bachelor’s degree required including skills associated with completion of an undergraduate degree program in communications, journalism or related major. Graduate degree in communications, public affairs, public policy or journalism is preferred.