Public Affairs Program Director

• Serve as a cornerstone of Banner Health's reputation strategy across media engagement, government relations, issues management, and public relations
• Act as the primary point of contact for proactive and reactive communications with media, government officials, business community leaders, patient advocacy organizations, and nonprofits
• Manage assigned relationships through consultation and regional stakeholders
• Provide counsel and selected content support to Banner corporate and entity leaders on strategic communications and reputation-enhancing activities
• Direct development of regional public affairs strategies in Arizona
• Work with senior leaders to develop and implement an annual comprehensive plan tied to community trust, reputation, and organizational strategic initiatives
• Contribute to local trust, reputation, and earned media goals
• Support the Government Relations team through collaboration, strategic input, and communication materials
• Develop communication materials and tell a complete community benefit story to external audiences
• Develop and execute community engagement plans, chamber sponsor ships, and Arizona-focused campaigns and projects
• Plan, develop, and defend budget recommendations, work goals, measurements, and training requirements
• Maintain open and complete communications of issues with leaders and corporate management
• Support strategic system-wide communications and campaigns
• Build the Banner brand externally and educate key stakeholders on the value of Banner Health
• Interact with C-suite individuals, facility leadership teams, marketing/PR shared services, corporate services departments, external leaders, and community organizations

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Business Administration, Marketing or related field
• Seven to ten years of healthcare PR or Arizona-focused public affairs experience in a large organization
• Significant knowledge of mass communications and stakeholder engagement
• Distinct understanding of Arizona communities, local organizations, and the state's political climate
• Previous experience dealing with the media and representing an organization at events, meetings and speaking opportunities
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to deal effectively with conflict and manage relations that balance system needs and entity priorities
• Candidates must reside in Arizona
• Prior experience in healthcare public relations strongly preferred
• Prior experience with community engagement programming in Arizona strongly preferred
• Additional related education and/or experience preferred

Demonstrates expertise in healthcare public relations and community engagement, with a strong focus on strategic communications and stakeholder management in Arizona. Proven ability to develop and implement reputation strategies that enhance organizational trust and community relations.

• Healthcare Public Relations
• Community Engagement Programming
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Strategic Communications
• Arizona Political Climate Knowledge

• Mass Communications
• Public Affairs Strategy Development
• Communication Material Development
• Budget Planning
• Crisis Management

• Excellent Communication Skills
• Conflict Management
• Relationship Management

• Arizona Communities
• Media Relations
• Government Relations
• Patient Advocacy
• Nonprofit Engagement