Sr. Director - External Communications - Indiana - Ascension

We Are Hiring:

• Department: External Communications
• Schedule: Full Time Monday - Friday 8am-5pm CT
• Location: Partially Remote

What You Will Do:

The Role

As the external communications leader for Ascension in Indiana, you will be responsible for developing and implementing external communications strategies that strengthen Ascension’s reputation in Indiana, drive market objectives, advance public affairs efforts, and create a trusted partnership with key external audiences. You will directly support our Ministry Market Executive in Indiana, partnering with advocacy, marketing and internal communications to demonstrate our commitment to the communities Ascension Indiana serves. As both a strategic and hands-on communicator, you are comfortable engaging the media, community, government and executives in support of the organization’s vision, achievements and unique identity in Indiana. 

 

Responsibilities

 

• Develop the external communications market strategy for Indiana and drive execution of the external communications plan, in partnership with advocacy, marketing, and internal communications
• Act as the chief storyteller for Ascension Indiana, crafting our local narrative and developing impactful messages that support our market objectives
• Partner with Ascension Indiana’s Advocacy team to develop public affairs and community engagement campaigns, using external communications strategies to advance advocacy goals that align to organizational priorities
• Provide external communications counsel and support to our Indiana Ministry Market Executive and to other market partner teams  
• Act as media spokesperson for the Ascension Indiana market
• Lead day-to-day management of the strategic communications, public affairs, social media, media relations and external messaging development in Indiana
• Create thought leadership campaigns that elevate and protect Ascension’s reputation in Indiana
• Lead local crisis communications efforts, in partnership with other communications and advocacy leads 
• Manage an external agency and the budget for all Indiana external communications activities
• Drive data based KPIs for Indiana, tied to strategic, operational and advocacy objectives
• 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 verbal and written communication skills, as well as critical thinking, strategic counseling and decisive judgment.
• Ideally the candidate will also have a knowledge of Ascension history and current initiatives, the rapidly evolving healthcare industry, and external communications practices and standards.
• Must be able to work in a stressful, fast-paced environment

 

Work Experience

 

• Ten to fifteen years of communications experience with strategic decision-making responsibilities, ideally in the Indiana market or with oversight for Indiana
• Experience driving local thought leadership campaigns, in partnership with advocacy and marketing teams 
• Demonstrated experience and comfort regularly engaging with local reporters on background, off-the-record and on the record
• Experience as an on-the-record spokesperson
• Experience with crisis communications in high-stakes scenarios

 

What You Will Need:

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.

Additional Preferences:

#LI-Remote

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 will provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification or expression, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, genetic information, carrier status or any other legally protected status or status as a covered veteran 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.

 

E-Verify Statement:

This employer participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Please click the E-Verify link below for more information.

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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

 

*Please note, benefits and benefits eligibility can vary by position, exclusions may apply for some roles (for example: Travel, PRN, Short-Term Option, etc.). Actual compensation offer will vary based upon role, education, experience, location, and qualifications. Connect with your Talent Advisor for additional specifics.

Salary Description:From $126,962.96 a year