Director of Marketing and Communications

Director Of Marketing And Communications

The Director of Marketing and Communications is responsible for providing strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for all marketing, communications, public relations, media relations, branding, digital marketing and community engagement initiatives across Pittsburgh Mercy. This role serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and is accountable for developing and executing integrated marketing and communications strategies that enhance brand awareness, support organizational growth, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and advance the ministry's mission, vision, and values. The Director leads a high-performing team and collaborates across service lines, operations, human resources, development, and executive leadership to ensure consistent messaging, effective change management, crisis communications preparedness and measurable marketing performance.

Strategic Leadership & Brand Management

• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of integrated marketing, communications, branding, and public relations strategies that advance organizational growth, stakeholder engagement, and strategic priorities.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, providing strategic counsel on communications, change management, reputation management, and business development initiatives.
• Ensure all marketing and communications activities are aligned with Pittsburgh Mercy's mission, vision, values, strategic objectives, and brand standards.
• Direct departmental operations, including strategic planning, budget development and oversight, performance measurement, and staff development.
• Lead communication planning and execution for organizational transformation efforts, including mergers, acquisitions, restructuring activities, and other significant change initiatives.
• Enhance organizational visibility and reputation through community engagement, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, speaking opportunities, and thought leadership initiatives.
• Serve as an organizational thought leader by educating leaders and stakeholders on emerging trends, best practices, and innovative approaches in marketing, communications, brand management, and stakeholder engagement.

Marketing & Digital Strategy

• Develop and execute comprehensive marketing strategies utilizing traditional, digital, social media, content marketing, and emerging communication channels to increase awareness, engagement, and organizational growth.
• Oversee market research, website strategy, marketing analytics, branding initiatives, and the development of creative content, multimedia assets, and promotional materials.
• Drive marketing initiatives that support organizational growth, referral development, market share expansion, and service line performance.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate marketing effectiveness, return on investment (ROI), and overall campaign performance.
• Manage and maintain productive relationships with external agencies, media partners, consultants, and vendors.
• Evaluate, implement, and optimize marketing technologies, automation platforms, CRM integrations, digital tools, and emerging communication technologies to enhance organizational effectiveness and reach.

Communications, Public Relations & Media Relations

• Lead internal, external, executive, and strategic communications initiatives to ensure consistent, accurate, and impactful messaging across all stakeholder groups.
• Oversee media relations, executive communications, social media strategy, content development, and community engagement activities.
• Direct organizational communication calendars, content planning, publication schedules, editorial standards, and channel governance processes.
• Serve as an organizational spokesperson and prepare executive and operational leaders for media interviews, public appearances, community presentations, and speaking engagements.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with media representatives, community organizations, providers, funders, government entities, and other key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Human Resources, Operations, Development, and service line leaders to support colleague engagement, recruitment marketing, sponsorship initiatives, events, and organizational priorities.
• Provide consultative marketing and communications expertise to operational leaders to advance service line objectives and organizational goals.
• Review, approve, and ensure quality and consistency of executive speeches, media statements, press releases, publications, and organizational communications.

Crisis Communications & Emergency Preparedness

• Lead organizational crisis communications planning, response efforts, and reputation management strategies.
• Serve as the designated Public Information Officer during emergencies, critical incidents, and organizational crises.
• Develop, implement, and maintain communication protocols, messaging frameworks, and response procedures that ensure timely, accurate, and effective communication, including support for 24/7 emergency response needs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in an appropriate discipline such as Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Communications or a related field required.
• Master's degree in marketing or an MBA preferred.
• Minimum of 7+ years of senior level experience leading a team and operating a department that includes marketing, public relations, communications and media, preferably in a healthcare setting.
• 5 years of digital marketing experience.
• Experience navigating within complex matrixed organizations. Experience with a corporate headquarters desired.
• Skilled in all areas of marketing and communications including but not limited to advertising and integrated marketing campaigns, SEO and SEM, viral techniques, public and media relations, content creation, and leveraging social networks and mobile apps.
• Crisis management experience needed.
• Experience in website management.
• Financial/budget management skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal, verbal and written communication, organizational and planning skills.
• Ability to build and sustain relationships with many internal and external constituencies, including the media, board members, executive team, service line leaders, providers and others.
• Government and or public health policy experience is beneficial but not mandatory.
• Executive level poise and skill sets are mandatory.

• Act 33/34 and FBI clearances
• Pre-Employment Drug Screen
• Valid driver's license

Schedule: (exempt) - Monday through Friday, along with some non-traditional business hours as needed. May be required to work beyond normal working hours, on weekends and may be subject to call back during emergency conditions. May be required to work on shifts other than those which originally hired.

Comprehensive Benefit Package starts Day 1 of employment: Medical, Dental, Vision; Life Insurance, 403B with employer match; Paid Time Off (PTO); Paid Holiday Days; Plus more…

About Pittsburgh Mercy

We are a community-based health and human services organization using person-centered care to treat our area's most vulnerable populations. We work with families in settings that are safe and familiar to them, and view them as equal partners when planning, developing, and monitoring care.

Our mission is to be a compassionate, transforming presence within our communities. We reach out to offer help – and hope – to people who are experiencing: Mental illness and substance use; Physical health needs; Intellectual disabilities; Traumatic events or circumstances, including homelessness + abuse.

Our Commitment

Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.