Senior Director, Network Communications

Senior Director, Network Communications

Job Summary : : The Senior Director of Network Communications is the strategic communications leader overseeing external and internal communications for our nine-hospital, eight-campus academic health system, which spans approximately 6,200 square miles. This individual will design and lead an integrated communications program that strengthens the health system’s brand, amplifies its achievements, and engages audiences across our region and beyond. Reporting to the SVP of Marketing and Strategic Communications, the Senior Director oversees all aspects of external communications – including public relations, media relations, owned media (newsroom, blog, publications), social media, and content strategy – ensuring a cohesive narrative that reflects our mission and values. This role serves as the editor-in-chief of our health system’s story, driving brand journalism efforts to highlight clinical excellence, research innovation, and community impact. The Senior Director of Network Communications will play an important role implementing a new internal communications platform including a new Intranet and email software system. This person will work across campuses and departments to unify messaging, elevate our thought leadership, and build a trusted reputation for the organization.

Responsibilities :

• Integrated Communications Strategy : Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy that aligns with the health system’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities. Ensure that messaging is consistent and synergistic across all channels (earned, owned, social, internal) and supports the organization’s goals (e.g. enhancing patient volume, recruiting talent, promoting research and education initiatives). Continuously refine the strategy based on organizational needs and audience feedback.
• Public and Media Relations : Provide oversight for all public relations and media outreach efforts. Build and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets and journalists. Oversee the development of press releases, media kits, and press events to announce key news – from clinical breakthroughs and major program launches to leadership appointments and philanthropic milestones. Serve as a primary spokesperson for the health system as needed, articulating our position clearly and confidently. Prepare executive leaders and subject matter experts for media interviews and public statements.
• Crisis Communications : In collaboration with the SVP and leadership team, lead the communications response during crises or sensitive issues – crafting timely statements, managing media inquiries under pressure, and guiding internal and external messaging to address the situation with transparency and authority.
• Owned Media & Brand Journalism : Direct the creation and expansion of the health system’s owned media platforms (e.g. online newsroom, health blog, patient stories library, newsletters, podcasts). Champion a brand journalism approach that treats our institutional stories with a journalistic eye for authenticity and relevance. Work with writers, editors, photographers / videographers, and clinical contributors to produce high-quality content that showcases patient success stories, groundbreaking research, innovative treatments, and the expertise of our clinicians and faculty. Ensure all content reinforces the health system’s narrative and positions the organization as a thought leader and trusted health resource in the community.
• Social Media and Digital Engagement : Oversee the strategy and day-to-day presence on social media channels (e.g. , Twitter / X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) to amplify our stories and connect with patients, employees, and the public. Guide the social media team in planning organic campaigns around health awareness observances, support service line advertising, community events, and real-time health topics. Approve and / or craft engaging posts that highlight the human side of our care, share health tips, and promote our news and accolades. Monitor online conversations and mentions of the health system, ensuring timely and appropriate engagement. Leverage emerging digital formats (live video, webinars, etc.) to broaden reach and interaction.
• Cross-Campus Coordination : Coordinate communications efforts across our eight campuses and multiple hospitals to ensure a unified voice and message. Establish regular touchpoints (e.g. editorial calendars, weekly huddles, content-sharing platforms) with communications leads or liaisons at each hospital / entity. Provide guidance, tools, and templates to support local communication needs while maintaining overall brand and message consistency. Lead the development of system-wide narratives that knit together initiatives from different campuses (for example, a network-wide patient care quality campaign or a collaborative research effort) into one compelling story. Serve as an advisor and resource for campus-specific communicators when handling local media or community issues, ensuring alignment with system-wide messaging.
• Thought Leadership and Executive Visibility : Work closely with the executive leadership team (CEO, hospital presidents, chief medical officers, deans, etc.) to develop and promote thought leadership platforms. Identify opportunities for our leaders and distinguished faculty to speak at conferences, participate in industry panels, or be featured in media stories on healthcare trends and policy. Help craft opinion editorials, blog posts, and speeches that articulate the health system’s perspective on important healthcare issues and highlight our contributions in areas such as population health, medical research, and health equity. Collaborate with the marketing and strategy teams to nominate the organization and its people for relevant awards, rankings, and recognitions that bolster our authority and reputation.
• Collaborative Marketing & Communications Initiatives : Ensure tight integration between communications and marketing functions. Partner with marketing leadership on major campaigns to synchronize messaging across paid advertising, patient materials, and PR outreach. Contribute communications expertise to multi-channel campaigns for service line growth, fundraising efforts, or community health programs – for example, by securing patient story placements to complement a marketing campaign. Coordinate with departments such as Government Affairs, Community Relations, and Medical Affairs on communication needs for legislative issues, community events, or internal announcements, respectively. Maintain open lines of communication with internal stakeholders so that communications plans are informed by and supportive of broader organizational initiatives.
• Reputation Management and Monitoring : Proactively monitor the health system’s public image and mentions in the media and on social platforms. Track narrative trends in healthcare and any emerging issues that could affect the organization’s reputation. Establish protocols for rapid response to misinformation or negative publicity. Regularly brief the SVP and other senior leaders on the status of the organization’s reputation and any communication risks. In partnership with the patient experience and risk management teams, help address any high-profile patient care concerns or public inquiries with appropriate messaging. Uphold and advance the health system’s reputation as a leading, trustworthy provider in all communications.
• Team Leadership and Development : Lead the Network Communications team with a transparent, collaborative, and results-driven approach. Directly supervise staff in areas such as media relations, digital content, and social media. Set clear performance goals and provide ongoing feedback and coaching. Foster a culture of creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement within the team. Identify staffing and resource needs for the communications function and build the business case for budget or personnel as needed. Manage relationships with any external public relations agencies, freelance writers, or other vendors, ensuring they understand and follow our communications strategy and standards.
• Metrics, Evaluation, and Reporting : Define key performance indicators for communications success (e.g. media impressions, share of voice, engagement rates, website traffic to news content, sentiment analysis) and implement tools to collect data. Analyze the results of communication campaigns and media placements to determine their effectiveness and reach. Prepare regular reports and dashboards for the SVP of Marketing & Strategic Communications and other executives, highlighting achievements, growth in audience engagement, and ROI of communications efforts. Use data-driven insights to make informed adjustments to the communications plan, and to demonstrate the value of communications in advancing the health system’s strategic objectives.
• Internal Communications : Lead system-wide internal communications strategy, including the launch and adoption of a new SharePoint-based intranet and enterprise email platform, ensuring consistent, engaging messaging that fosters employee alignment and engagement across all campuses. Partner closely with Human Resources to support internal communication and employee engagement initiatives, including workforce campaigns, culture-building efforts, and change management messaging.
• Personal Attributes : Strategic, creative, and highly organized. Capable of managing multiple projects and deadlines without sacrificing quality or attention to detail. Self-directed and proactive in identifying opportunities to enhance the institution’s communications. Calm under pressure and resilient in the face of challenges. A passionate storyteller with a commitment to upholding the values and mission of our health system through communications excellence.

Qualifications / Requirements :

Experience : A minimum of 10 years of experience in communications, public relations, or a related field, with at least 5 years in a senior management or director-level role. Experience in a large health system, academic medical center, or similarly complex multi-site organization is highly desirable. The ideal candidate will have led communications in an environment that spans multiple constituencies and geographic areas. Experience with Sharepoint CMS strongly preferred.

Education : Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing or a related discipline is required. A Master’s degree in a relevant field is preferred. Professional accreditation (e.g. APR) can be a plus but is not required.

Licenses / Certifications. N / A

Other :

Special Requirements : Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of written, verbal, and social media communications, media relations, crisis management, project management and strategic planning.

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