Director, Issues Management External Communications

Details

• Department: External Communications

• Schedule: Full Time Monday - Friday 8am-5pm CT

• Location: Remote

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._

Responsibilities

As the Director of Issues Management for Ascension, you will be responsible for helping to strategically guide Ascension's communications efforts as we manage issues and crises that arise regarding business developments, managed care, labor relations, transactions and other topics. You will partner with executives and leaders across the company, and will develop communication strategies, narratives, processes and plans that support the management of our Ascension brand and reputation for any issues the Ministry may face.

• A strategic thinker and creative problem-solver with a track record in corporate reputation management and public affairs, with a particular focus on crisis and issues prevention and management.

• Ability to think big picture to foresee reputational risks and opportunities and zoom into critical details, nuances and variables to inform issues management strategy and response.

• Comfortable working across departments and businesses to bring a calm demeanor and coordinated approach to company issues, balancing competing perspectives and the needs of stakeholders at all levels.

• Reports directly to the Senior Director of Issues Management.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and drive the execution of strategic plans and processes that support our ministry in times of crises

• Play a central role in preventing issues before they happen and manage them when they do - i.e - gathering facts, identifying vulnerabilities, solving for problems, creating solutions, executing effectively, etc.

• In partnership with key stakeholders, across legal, advocacy, operations, and other impacted markets or departments, draft communications materials (e.g., media statements, talking points, Q&A's, etc.) to prepare stakeholders and spokespeople for escalated issues and matters that may become public

• Prepare playbooks, processes and plans that prepare the organization for any potential scenario that may impact our reputation and business objectives

• Escalate issues internally, knowing how to effectively brief up and summarize an issue to senior leadership in simple concise language with clear recommendations and no gaps in logic.

• In partnership with our head of reputation and thought leadership, work with PR agencies as needed to support communications efforts, including media and social media monitoring

• Drive data based KPIs for your programs, tied to strategic, operational and advocacy objectives

• Ensure that all 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

Complexity of Work

• Requires a strong executive presence, people management background, 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:

• Eight to ten plus years of communications leadership experience with strategic decision-making responsibilities, including issues management for a large, multi-faceted organization

• A background in managed care communications or labor relations communications, or a level of familiarity with the labor relations landscape, is a plus

• Experience engaging with senior leaders at times of stress to assess the situation, gather the necessary information and bring calm and resolution to any situation

• Demonstrated experience with public affairs and media engagement

• A history of developing compelling narratives and content and getting it through approval processes quickly

• Experience with crisis communications in high-stakes scenarios

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.

Additional Preferences

#marketingcommunications #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.

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

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