Director, Strategic Communications & Community Impact

Job Summary:

The Director of Strategic Communications & Community Impact leads stakeholder engagement, public relations, and community health integration for EMH. Serving as a key representative of the health system, the Director ensures internal and external audiences understand EMH’s mission, high-value clinical services, and commitment to the communities it serves.This position strengthens EMH’s community presence and impact by connecting public relations, strategic organizational initiatives, and community-based health efforts.

Essential Functions, Duties, and Responsibilities:

1. Exhibit the F.I.R.S.T. values at all times (Friendliness, Innovation, Respect, Service, Trust).
2. Community Impact, Health Equity & Partnerships
3. Represent EMH on strategic community boards and regional health coalitions as directed by executive leadership.
4. Establish high-impact community partnerships that improve health access, address social determinants of health, and strengthen EMH’s relationships throughout the region.
5. Lead health equity initiatives and establish reporting frameworks to quantify and communicate EMH’s annual community benefit.
6. Identify opportunities to strengthen EMH’s presence and impact within the communities it serves.

Strategic Communications & Public Relations Leadership

1. Serve as a key organizational spokesperson, managing media relations, crisis communications, and public affairs.
2. Develop and maintain relationships with local and regional media and key community stakeholders.
3. Support executive leadership with public messaging related to significant organizational initiatives.
4. Monitor community sentiment and emerging issues and advise leadership regarding appropriate communication strategies.

Strategic Growth & Service Expansion

1. Partner with Strategy and Business Development teams to support communication related to new clinical services, facility expansions, and network offerings.
2. Support efforts to increase community awareness of EMH services and available healthcare resources.
3. Manage the health system’s corporate sponsorship portfolio, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and community engagement strategies.

Executive & Stakeholder Alignment

1. Advise executive leadership, department managers, and physician leaders on community sentiment, emerging risks, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communications.
2. Maintain strong relationships with organizational leaders, physician leaders, and community stakeholders.
3. Lead internal communications to support clear, timely, and consistent organizational messaging.
4. Oversee organizational signage and related communication materials to ensure accuracy and consistency.
5. Maintain compliance with applicable healthcare regulatory guidelines, organizational policies, and established standards.
6. Perform other related duties and strategic initiatives as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

• Lifting and carrying. Occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull office materials, supplies, or equipment weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Mobility and travel. Sit for extended periods and stand or walk as needed; move throughout office, hospital, clinic, and community settings; travel between EMH facilities and community locations.
• Fine motor and manual tasks. Use a computer, keyboard, telephone, mobile device, and other standard office equipment for extended periods; perform routine tasks requiring manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
• Sensory. Sufficient visual acuity to review written and electronic materials and sufficient hearing to participate effectively in meetings, telephone calls, presentations, and other verbal communication.
• Cognitive and communication. Maintain concentration, exercise sound judgment, manage multiple priorities, and communicate clearly and professionally with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

Working Conditions and Environmental Hazards:

Work is performed primarily in professional office, hospital, clinic, and community settings. Travel between EMH locations and community partner sites is required. The position may occasionally require attendance at community meetings, events, or organizational activities outside normal business hours. The role may enter patient care areas and must follow applicable safety, infection prevention, and organizational requirements.

Working Relationships:

Frequent interaction with executive leadership, physicians and advanced practice providers, hospital and clinic leadership, associates, community leaders, nonprofit and civic organizations, media representatives, vendors, and other external stakeholders. The position requires a high degree of professionalism, discretion, responsiveness, collaboration, and relationship management.

Equipment Used or Special Skills Required:

Proficiency with computers, mobile devices, standard office equipment, Microsoft Office or equivalent productivity software, communication platforms, and related digital tools. Strong written and verbal communication, public speaking, media relations, relationship-building, organizational, project management, and interpersonal skills are required. Must demonstrate sound judgment and the ability to effectively communicate sensitive or complex information to internal and external audiences.

Education Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or a related field required.

Preferred: Master’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience Requirements:

Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, community relations, healthcare administration, or a related area. Demonstrated experience working with organizational leadership and external stakeholders is required.

Preferred: Experience in healthcare communications, community relations, or a multi-facility healthcare organization.

License, Certification, and Registration Requirements:

No license, certification, or registration is required for this position.

Preferred: None.

Qualifications

Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, community relations, healthcare administration, or a related area. Demonstrated experience working with organizational leadership and external stakeholders is required.

Preferred: Experience in healthcare communications, community relations, or a multi-facility healthcare organization.

Location

Ephraim McDowell Health, Inc

Education Required

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or a related field required.

Preferred: Master’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.

Certification Required

No license, certification, or registration is required for this position.

Compensation:

$102,856 - $141,045 annually based on experience.