Communications Director

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Hennepin Healthcare is an integrated system of care that includes HCMC, a nationally recognized Level I Adult Trauma Center and Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and acute care hospital, as well as a clinic system with primary care clinics located in Minneapolis and across Hennepin County. The comprehensive healthcare system includes a 473-bed academic medical center, a large outpatient Clinic & Specialty Center, and a network of clinics in the North Loop, Whittier, and East Lake Street neighborhoods of Minneapolis, and in the suburban communities of Brooklyn Park, Golden Valley, Richfield, and St. Anthony Village. Hennepin Healthcare has a large psychiatric program, home care, and operates a research institute, philanthropic foundation, and Hennepin EMS. The system is operated by Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc., a subsidiary corporation of Hennepin County.

Equal Employment Opportunities: We believe equity is essential for optimal health outcomes and are committed to achieve optimal health for all by actively eliminating barriers due to racism, poverty, gender identity, and other determinants of health. We are committed to equitable care and working in an environment that celebrates, promotes, and protects diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are committed to bringing in individuals with new cultural perspectives to assist in creating a more equitable healthcare organization.

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JOB DETAILS

Department: Public Relations

FTE: 1.00 (80 hours per pay period)

Workdays: Monday - Friday

Shift(s): Days

Shift Length: 8 hours

Location: In-Person

Purpose of this position: Leads the integrated communications team responsible for enterprise-wide strategic communications across all platforms-internal, external, digital, media, storytelling, executive communications, and organizational change. Ensures consistent, accurate, timely, and high‑quality communications that strengthen organizational reputation, support patient and community trust, and advance system priorities.

Primary leader for crisis communications, media relations escalation, and high‑stakes public messaging within a major public health system, consistent with crisis and emergency readiness expectations identified across peer public hospital systems. This position will report to the Vice President of Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Crisis & Public Relations Leadership

• Serve as the senior lead for crisis communications, coordinating rapid response, media inquiries, high‑profile issues, and patient‑privacy‑sensitive situations

• Act as escalation point for urgent communications needs, ensuring clear decision pathways, timely approvals, and controlled distribution of information

• Oversee systemwide media relations operations, including request triage, spokesperson preparedness, message development, and coordinated responses with Legal, Privacy, Security, clinical leadership, and county partners

• Maintain emergency communication readiness, participate in emergency management planning, and support PIO functions during incidents or drills-aligned with public hospital PIO models included in major system profiles

• Monitor emerging issues and media trends to assess risk, recommend mitigation strategies, and guide leadership through sensitive communications.

• Strategic Communications Leadership

• Lead the communications team responsible for integrated communications across all platforms, ensuring coordination, work sequencing, and consistency of organizational voice

• Oversee internal communications channels including Scanner, Scanner for Leaders, CEO messages, intranet/SharePoint updates, newsletters, and enterprise-wide announcements

• Direct storytelling, content strategy, digital communication, and message alignment across all audiences-internal, external, community, and media

• Ensure a "single source of truth" approach for major organizational messaging, providing leaders with aligned talking points, FAQs, scripts, and toolkits before broader communication

• Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on communication opportunities, risks, messaging strategy, public perception, and organizational change

• Executive & Leadership Communications

• Draft executive and CEO messages, scripts, video content, talking points, and systemwide updates; manage review cycles with relevant executives and subject‑matter partners

• Support CEO and senior leaders for presentations, board materials, leadership forums, and major organizational announcements.

• Provide communication guidance and decision support during high‑visibility initiatives or sensitive public issues

• Team Leadership & Operational Management

• Manage communications staff through structured cadences including weekly 1:1s, staff meetings, workload reviews, coaching, and performance evaluations

• Oversee project intake, resource prioritization, work sequencing, and cross‑department coordination

• Maintain department policies, communication governance standards, moderation guidelines, approval pathways, and channel ownership documentation.

• Review communication metrics, feedback, and performance to refine channels, cadence, content strategy, and leader support materials

• Enterprise Communications Responsibilities

• Lead internal and employee communication strategies, including integrated messaging across departments and business lines

• Support recurring leadership communications such as Lead Together and Talk Together, including agendas, scripts, messaging, and follow‑up materials

• Support Board‑related communication needs, including memos, updates, packets, and meeting preparation

• Ensure communication plans, cascade sequences, and internal/external messaging are executed accurately for major organizational initiatives

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QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, or related field
• 8 plus years of experience in marketing and communications with preferred healthcare experience, or equivalent experience
• At least 5 years in a leadership role
• Experience managing direct reports and coaching and supporting team members
• OR-
• An approved equivalent combination of education and experience

Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities

• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills
• Proficient in use of all Microsoft Office products
• Highly organized and detailed with ability to manage multiple projects at once
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to build relationships at all levels within organization
• Strong presentation skills
• Strong project management skills
• Superb ability to motivate employees and inspire positive change within department
• Innovative thinker: Ability to contribute new ideas that support organizational goals
• Skilled in modeling company values through daily interactions within the department, particularly with regards to health and safety
• High standards of ethics, discipline, and professionalism
• Skilled in fostering a positive workplace culture and building inclusive workplace teams

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You''ve made the right choice in considering Hennepin Healthcare for your employment. We offer a wealth of opportunities for individuals who want to make an impact in our patients'' lives. We are dedicated to providing Equal Employment Opportunities to both current and prospective employees. We are driven to connect talented individuals with life-changing career opportunities, enabling you to provide exceptional care without exception. Thank you for considering Hennepin Healthcare as a future employer.

Please Note: Offers of employment from Hennepin Healthcare are conditional and contingent upon successful clearance of all background checks and pre-employment requirements.

'',''!*!Total Rewards Package:

• We offer a competitive pay rate based on your skills, licensure/certifications, education, experience related to this position, and internal equity.
• We provide an extensive benefits program that includes Medical; Dental; Vision; Life, Short and Long-term Term Disability Insurance; Retirement Funds; Paid Time Off; and Tuition reimbursement.
• For a complete list of our benefits, please visit our career site on why you should work for us.

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