Director - External Communications

Overview

Reporting to the Sr. Director of External Communications, the Director of External Communications is responsible for managing media relations, enhancing the organization’s reputation, and serving as the Public Information Officer during emergency situations for SHC and the School of Medicine. The role involves crafting compelling narratives, responding to media inquiries, proactively engaging with journalists, and effectively addressing reputational challenges to ensure clear and accurate communication during critical times.

Stanford Health Care

• Integrated Communications Strategy
  • Develop and implement comprehensive external communications strategies that align with Stanford Medicine's Integrated Strategic Plan and enterprise-wide priorities.
  • Collaborate with cross‑functional communications teams across Stanford Medicine and Stanford University to ensure consistent messaging across all platforms and channels.
  • Monitor industry trends and best practices to continuously refine communication strategies.
• Crisis Communications and Issues Management
  • Coordinate with key internal stakeholders and subject‑matter experts to ensure timely and accurate responses during crises and other situations.
  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of policies, processes and perspectives needed to ensure alignment on a communications approach.
  • Develop tailored communications plans and campaigns to support organizational priorities.
  • Oversee the creation and dissemination of an issues‑driven media monitoring report to senior leaders.
• Content Development
  • Create and oversee the production of high-quality content for press releases, media kits and other external communications materials.
  • Ensure all content aligns with the organization’s voice and messaging approach.
  • Oversee compliance with Stanford Medicine's guidance on name use.
• Earned Media Strategy
  • Identify and pursue opportunities for positive media coverage through strategic outreach and relationship building.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with subject‑matter experts and facilitate media coverage opportunities as needed.
  • Monitor media coverage and analyze trends to inform future proactive media strategies.
• Public Information Officer Capacity
  • Serve as PIO and lead coordination and planning for communications efforts for the Hospital Incident Command Center in collaboration with Stanford Health Care's Office Emergency Management.
• Executive Leadership and Internal Stakeholder Engagement
  • Develop working relationships with key institutional leaders to facilitate development and execution of strategies to reach their external constituents.
  • Foster strong relationships with internal stakeholders across entities and departments to garner clear understanding of ongoing and emerging priorities.
  • Coordinate with other communicators to ensure strategic alignment.
• Impact and Outcomes Measurement and Monitoring
  • Develop, run, and analyze day‑to‑day metrics for communications programs by using quantitative and qualitative analytics tools to evaluate performance.
  • Create dashboards to present to leadership and use learnings to adjust the communications strategy in real‑time and refocus team efforts as needed.
• Team Management
  • Lead and collaborate with a team of communications professionals, fostering a high‑performing and supportive work environment.
  • Set clear goals and expectations to ensure timely delivery of communications initiatives and tactics.

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in healthcare management, communications or a related field.

• Eight (8) years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Four (4) years of supervisory experience, preferably of multi‑person teams.
• Significant experience directing and managing vendors and agencies.
• Proven track record in using analytics to drive better decision‑making and strategy.

• Experience Base – External Communications:
  Corporate‑side experience in in‑house public relations and communications, including corporate communications and media relations, with proven success in…