Senior Manager, Communications

Position Summary

The Senior Manager, Communications is responsible for leading the organization's strategic communications function, with primary responsibilities including public relations, reputation management, executive communications, crisis communications, media relations, and internal communications. This role develops and executes communication strategies that strengthen the brand, protect and enhance its reputation, engage employees, and support business objectives.

The Senior Manager serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and collaborates closely with operational, clinical, human resources, legal, and marketing teams to ensure consistent, transparent, and impactful communication across all audiences. This individual will shape the organization's narrative, manage sensitive issues, and elevate awareness of the organization's mission, services, people, and community impact.

Key Responsibilities

Public Relations & Media Relations

• Develop and execute comprehensive public relations strategies that support organizational growth, brand visibility, and business priorities.
• Serve as the primary media relations contact for the organization
• Build and maintain relationships with local, regional, national, and industry media outlets.
• Identify and secure earned media opportunities that highlight organizational achievements, clinical excellence, community impact, and thought leadership
• Prepare and distribute press releases, media statements, advisories, executive talking points, and media kits
• Coordinate media interviews and spokesperson preparation
• Monitor media coverage and industry developments to identify emerging opportunities and risks

Reputation Management

• Develop and lead enterprise reputation management strategies designed to strengthen trust among patients, employees, referral partners, investors, and community stakeholders
• Serve as the primary escalation point for reputation and sensitive-issue concerns surfaced through social media, reviews, and other digital channels
• Lead communications planning and messaging for high-profile initiatives, organizational changes, and challenging situations
• Monitor public perception, media coverage, online reviews, social media conversations, and emerging issues
• Identify and proactively address reputational risks and communication vulnerabilities
• Partner with operational and clinical leaders to develop response strategies for sensitive issues
• Provide guidance to leaders on maintaining brand integrity and stakeholder trust.

Internal Communications

• Develop and execute internal communication strategies that improve employee engagement, transparency, alignment, and culture
• Manage enterprise-wide communication channels, including:
• Employee newsletters
• Leadership communications
• Intranet content
• Town halls
• Organizational announcements
• Change management communications
• Create executive messaging that helps leaders effectively communicate vision, priorities, and organizational updates
• Partner with Human Resources to support employee engagement, recognition programs, recruitment initiatives, and organizational culture efforts
• Ensure communications reinforce organizational values, mission, and strategic priorities

Executive Communications

• Serve as a communications advisor to executive leadership
• Draft speeches, presentations, talking points, opinion pieces, leadership messaging, and executive correspondence
• Support executive visibility initiatives, speaking engagements, and thought leadership opportunities
• Ensure leadership communications are consistent, authentic, and aligned with organizational objectives

Crisis & Issues Management

• Lead communication planning and execution during crisis situations and reputational events
• Develop and maintain crisis communication protocols, playbooks, and response frameworks
• Coordinate communication efforts with executive leadership, legal counsel, operational leaders, and external stakeholders during incidents
• Conduct crisis preparedness training and spokesperson coaching
• Ensure timely, accurate, and transparent communication during critical events

Strategic Communications Planning

• Develop annual communication strategies aligned with organizational goals
• Create integrated communication plans supporting growth initiatives, acquisitions, service line expansions, clinical programs, and organizational transformation efforts
• Collaborate with marketing teams to align brand, communication, and engagement strategies
• Establish communication priorities, messaging frameworks, and audience engagement plans

Measurement & Reporting

• Monitor and report on communication effectiveness, media coverage, stakeholder engagement, sentiment trends, and reputation metrics
• Develop executive-level reporting that demonstrates communication impact and return on investment
• Utilize data and insights to continuously improve communication strategies

Requirements

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, English, or related field required
• Master's degree preferred

Experience

• 7+ years of progressive communications, public relations, corporate communications, or reputation management experience.
• Experience managing media relations and crisis communications.
• Experience developing executive-level communications.
• Demonstrated success in building communication strategies that support organizational objectives.

Technical Skills

• Knowledge of healthcare regulatory considerations and patient privacy requirements, including HIPAA compliance in public and crisis communications
• Exceptional writing, editing, and content development skills
• Strong understanding of public relations, media relations, crisis communications, and reputation management
• Experience with media monitoring and PR measurement tools
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Familiarity with internal communication platforms, content management systems, and digital communication tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Healthcare, post-acute care, urgent care, hospital, physician services, or healthcare services experience
• Experience supporting multi-site healthcare operations
• Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) or similar professional certification
• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, change management, or organizational growth initiatives