Director Communications-SWHR - Southwestern Health Resources CIN

The Director of Communications will guide the strategy and implementation of all internal and external communications for Southwestern Health Resources. This role will be responsible for the overall quality control for content produced for all key stakeholders and is a critical aligning link among all internal stakeholder groups across the organization. The Director of Communications plays a vital role in developing and implementing a strategic communications plan to support all aspects of the company's operations, goals and aspirations. The Director of Communications serves as editor for communications targeting all internal stakeholders, as well as overseeing and directing all internal communications channels across the organization (including but not limited to written content, video, graphics and digital/web).

In addition to the development of internal communications, this role will lead media relations efforts, proactive and reactive, in partnership with the Director of Media Relations, Texas Health. The Director of Communications will also support the executive team on internal and external communications needs such as internal messages, presentations, newsletters, townhalls, scripts and other communication vehicles.

The role is responsible for ensuring all communication aligns with key strategic themes, conveys accurate and clear messaging and follows brand standards and voice. Consults with organizational executives, leaders and subject-matter experts to determine best channel and timing to deliver messages to the broader organization and works to maintain consistency and clarity of message. Customizes messages when appropriate to audience to ensure engagement, interest and comprehension.

This role will report to the Senior Vice President, Brand Experience, Texas Health with a dotted line to SWHR Senior Executive Officer and will work in partnership with Texas Health Resources Stakeholder Engagement team and UT Southwestern Medical Center's Communications team.

• Work location: Southwestern Health Resources Headquarters, Farmers Branch, TX.

Southwestern Health Resources (SWHR) is a patient-centered clinically integrated network of 29 hospital locations and more than 5,500 physicians and other clinicians. Formed by Texas Health and UT Southwestern, two of the region's leading healthcare systems, SWHR delivers nationally preeminent, highest-quality care in 16 counties across North Texas. SWHR is also the parent organization of Care N' Care Insurance Co., a regional Medicare Advantage Plan serving more than 13,500 members in the region.

The SWHR network includes physicians from UT Southwestern and Texas Health, and independent community primary care and specialty physicians. In partnership, our team implements physician-driven, value-based care strategies to coordinate care for more than 700,000 patients, resulting in lower costs and high-quality care. In 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the annual financial and quality results and, based on the report, SWHR is one of the nation's leading Next Generation Accountable Care Organizations, having saved nearly $120 million since joining the program in 2017.

At the heart of SWHR are people who help people. We care about those we serve and each other. To be the national leader in providing population-based healthcare, our more than 850 employees use their knowledge, data insights and clinical experience to deliver care to the right patient, at the right time and in the right setting. By connecting physicians to patients and clinical insights to better outcomes, SWHR lowers costs, optimizes value, and builds a better healthcare system for all.

Position Duties

This person leads the communication team strategically and operationally.

Evaluates channels, communication and engagement opportunities related to processes, navigation, products and services - and connects the dots to support an excellent experience.
Provides senior-level counsel, facilitating discussions at all levels across the organization, which extensive project management capabilities and proactive approaches to ensure success.
Serves as brand voice and common language champion, helping to create a culture of accountability around all communication. Directs team and holds accountable for measurement, results and reporting.

Internal Communications:
Leads and drives planning of communication to internal stakeholders, aligning organizational priorities and initiatives.
Leads development and planning of communications platforms and engagement strategies, to include consistent virtual and in-person forums designed to drive alignment and celebrate accomplishments for employees, leaders and providers.
Serves as editor for internal communications to ensure all content advances strategic messaging themes and priorities of the organization. Oversees writing, content creation and message deployment.
Oversees team to ensure accountability around deadlines for deliverables, messaging consistency and strategy.
Oversees and directs development of brand-compliant supporting visual content and assets to convey message, create engagement and increase comprehension using assets such as photography, infographics, iconography, video, audio and the like.
Oversees master calendar for communications channels to establish priorities and manage expectations and timing with multiple internal stakeholders.
Directs strategic planning from a communications perspective for programs, products, and publications. Identifies and works to resolve conflicts in timing and priorities, working to create optimal communications cadence and solutions for the benefit of the organization. Works closely with Human Resources to develop the most effective communication approaches to meet people & culture needs.
Champions change management and works to ensure team is aligned with strategies outlined by executive leaders.
Drives measurement and engagement monitoring efforts and communication of same to ensure effective messaging strategy, identify opportunities for improvement and increase engagement with key stakeholders.

External Communications:
Serves crisis communication liaison in partnership with Director, Media Relations, Texas Health. Contributes to development of media response and gains insights from subject matter experts. Helps to provides appropriate counsel and guidance to same from a media perspective.
Develops and implements external communication and media relations strategies that translate complex concepts into simple, clear, meaningful messages for key stakeholders across a variety of messaging platforms and channels. Implements creative approaches that create interest, elicit response and ultimately translate into positive media coverage for Southwestern Health Resources.
Routinely counsels subject matter experts and provides training and coaching around proactive media responses for leaders. Creates trusting relationships with leaders.
Actively monitors local and national media, working to identify opportunities to proactively position Southwestern Health Resources and listening for fair and accurate representation of its programs and services. Proactively shares insights around media coverage with leaders and stakeholders such that groups are informed and aware when Southwestern Health Resources is in the news.

Executive Communications:
Develops and implements communications strategies that translate complex concepts into simple, clear, meaningful messages for key stakeholders across a variety of messaging platforms and channels.
Creates and maintains organization's strategic messaging documents, based on organizations strategic plan and priorities.
Creates speeches and remarks for executives that include relevant messaging themes, strategic alignment and support brand position. Provide opportunities for input and refinement with executive which requires working well in advance of deadlines.
Develop and provides briefing documents related to speaking engagements to help executive understand audience and priorities, tailoring remarks to reflect understanding of audience needs.
Works to develop speaking calendar for executives to ensure deadlines are met.

Education
Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, public relations, mass communications, marketing or a closely related field is required
Master's Degree in Journalism, public relations, mass communications, marketing or a closely related field preferred

Experience
10 years Communications experience in a corporate or agency setting, with health care experience preferred, required.

***** Highly prefer candidates with management/leadership experience *******

Skills
Excellent writer, editor and communicator.
Ability to manage competing priorities and requests to successful outcome.
Ability to distill complex information into clear, concise and comprehendible communications.
Understands organizational strategy and the role communication plans in engagement and change management.
Executive presence and ability to clearly articulate requests and recommendations, linking to organizational strategy and supporting data to gain buy-in.
Willingness and ability to have crucial conversations, provide executive counsel and direct teams for which incumbent has direct and indirect responsibility.
Ability to evaluate effectiveness and measure engagement.

Why Southwestern Health Resources

As a Southwestern Health Resources you'll enjoy: comprehensive benefits, including a 401(k) with match; paid time off; competitive health insurance choices; healthcare and dependent care spending account options; wellness programs to keep you and your family healthy; tuition reimbursement; a student loan repayment program; and more.

Explore Southwestern Health Resources Careers for more information and to search all career opportunities.

Let's move healthcare forward - together.