Director - External Communications Indianapolis, Indiana

Details

Department :

External Communications

Schedule :

Full Time Monday - Friday 8-5pm CT

Location :

On-Site, Indianapolis, Indiana

Salary :

$129,942.00 - $183,447.00 per year

Eligible for an annual bonus incentive

Benefits

Paid time off (PTO)

Various health insurance options & wellness plans

Retirement benefits including employer match plans

Long-term & short-term disability

Employee assistance programs (EAP)

Parental leave & adoption assistance

Tuition reimbursement

Ways to give back to your community

Benefit options and eligibility vary by position. Compensation varies based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, performance, location and salary range at the time of the offer.

Responsibilities

The Role

As a seasoned communications leader, you will serve as the second-in-command to the Senior Director of External Communications for Ascension Indiana, representing the team in high-level meetings with hospital presidents and service line leaders. You will be responsible for leading a proactive, statewide external communications strategy that strengthens Ascensions brand and reputation, supports business growth and advances public affairs priorities in Indiana, while coaching and guiding a high-performing team. You will partner with our internal communications and marketing leaders in Indiana and support our market executives, helping to drive engaging and action-oriented internal messaging. You will spearhead key owned media channels like the Ascension St. Vincent Linkedin and Newsroom. You are both a strong program manager and an inspiring writer and communicator, one who is comfortable working across a matrixed organization to deliver measurable results.

Responsibilities :

Lead and guide the day-to-day execution of a cohesive external communications strategy and plan for Indiana that improves our market reputation, in coordination with other enterprise and local communication teams

Directly manage Indiana External Communications team members, providing clear priorities, coaching and accountability to ensure high performance and alignment with

the Ministrys objectives

Provide strategic communications counsel to support the rapidly evolving policy environment, ensuring aligned messaging in response to legislative and reputational challenges

Provide external communications counsel and support to Ascension Indiana market leaders and other partner teams, and step in for the Senior Director as needed

Develop external communications content, campaigns and events that support our local business objectives and our brand

Combine a big-picture, strategic perspective with attention to detail, clarity and focus

Ensure that communications reflect the Mission, Vision and Values of Ascension as a healing ministry of the Catholic Church

Maintain flexible availability and responsiveness both during and outside of normal work hours as necessary

Complexity of Work :

Requires excellent management, writing and project management skills, as well as critical thinking, strategic counseling and decisive judgment.

Ideally the candidate will also have a knowledge of the evolving healthcare market, Ascensions history and current initiatives, and communications practices and standards.

Must be able to work in a stressful, fast-paced environment

Education

Master's degree preferred.

Work Experience

Ten plus years in an external communications management role, ideally with experience working in a healthcare provider system or similar services organization

Experience with executive communications and counsel

Familiarity with local issues management and state-level legislative climate

Adept at the rapid development of content in support of local business, market and organizational communications needs

Experience developing clear KPIs and reporting out to multiple teams, including the senior director of external communications and senior executives

Requirements

Education :

High School diploma equivalency with 5 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required, with 2 of those years being in leadership / management OR Associate's degree / Bachelor's degree with 3 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required, with 2 of those years being in leadership / management.

Why Join Our Team

Ascension associates are key to our commitment of transforming healthcare and providing care to all, especially those most in need. Join us and help us drive impact through reimagining how we can deliver a people-centered healthcare experience and creating the solutions to do it. Explore career opportunities across our ministry locations and within our corporate headquarters.

Ascension is a leading non-profit, faith-based national health system made up of over 134,000 associates and 2,600 sites of care, including more than 140 hospitals and 40 senior living communities in 19 states.

Our Mission, Vision and Values encompass everything we do at Ascension. Every associate is empowered to give back, volunteer and make a positive impact in their community. Ascension careers are more than jobs; they are opportunities to enhance your life and the lives of the people around you.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex / gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.

As a military friendly organization, Ascension promotes career flexibility and offers many benefits to help support the well-being of our military families, spouses, veterans and reservists. Our associates are empowered to apply their military experience and unique perspective to their civilian career with Ascension.

Pay Non-Discrimination Notice

Please note that Ascension will make an offer of employment only to individuals who have applied for a position using our official application. Be on alert for possible fraudulent offers of employment. Ascension will not solicit money or banking information from applicants.

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