Reporting to the EVP, Chief Brand and Experience Officer, the Vice President, Communications is responsible for enterprise-wide communications and public relations strategies for Henry Ford Health - focused on informing, engaging and activating internal and external stakeholders; building brand loyalty, trust and confidence in the health system's mission of serving the community; positioning Henry Ford Health as a leader, innovator and top choice for services across the entire healthcare spectrum; and highlighting the organization's commitment to solving industry challenges and building the healthcare model for the future. A critical advisor across all levels of the organization, the vice president provides executive leadership for enterprise crisis communications; emergency and issues management; executive and corporate communications; internal communications, team member engagement, and labor relations support; hospital campus and clinical communications; and community relations. The vice president's scope includes Henry Ford Health and all related entities - its 550+ site care delivery system comprised of thirteen acute care hospitals, multiple specialty care destinations, and extensive ambulatory network; the health system's value-based enterprise, which includes insurance company Health Alliance Plan (HAP), population health company Populance; Mosaic Clinically Integrated Network, and Community Care Services; and major for-profit, non-profit and academic partnerships including Michigan State University and the Detroit Pistons, among others. PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES: Enterprise Strategy, Visioning & Corporate Positioning:
Develop and execute communications strategies for the health system's enterprise-wide goals and initiatives - focused on driving growth and building engagement Serve as the system's "chief messaging officer" - building key messaging frameworks, storytelling strategies, and approaches for the health system's most important priorities Partner with brand engagement, marketing, digital and consumer experience teams to drive growth through high-impact, integrated plans Drive creativity, innovation and data-driven approaches to enterprise-wide communications Create opportunities to demonstrate the value of communications - serving as critical, sought-after leader and counselor throughout the company, at all levels
Crisis Communications, Issues & Emergency Management:
- Serve as lead communications advisor across all issues, challenges and emergencies
- Lead crisis communications strategy and execution - assessing impacts and developing plans and responses that protect the brand and reputation, and maintain trust and confidence
- Serve as architect and executive sponsor for the health system's Public Information Officer (PIO) structure, response plan and team
- Serve on executive level Incident Command and Emergency Management steering committees
Executive Visibility:
- Serve as the primary communications strategist for Henry Ford Health's executive team
- Develop thought leadership and lead visibility strategies for the health system's president and CEO, and other key executives - for internal and external audiences
- Build, maintain and leverage relationships with key business and industry partners to create opportunities for spotlighting Henry Ford Health executives
Internal Communications & Team Member Engagement:
- Serve as trusted advisor to the executive team for key leadership meetings, advising on agenda, producing CEO content and leader engagement strategies
- Establish and guide internal communications strategy to build well-informed, highly engaged team members and support organizational culture
- Provide executive leadership and oversight of system, hospital campus, and other organizational communication teams
- Partner with HR, operational and other executive leaders to support impact plans, change management, and employee engagement initiatives
Earned Media Strategy:
- Establish and guide media relations strategy to positively position the organization's goals, commitments and achievements through high-impact announcements and storytelling
- Provide executive leadership and oversight of public and media relations team
- Build and maintain strong relationships with mainstream and industry newsroom leaders and other targeted media partners
Community Relations & Advocacy:
- Lead development of strategic PR and content campaigns to help shape advocacy conversations for the organization's mission to solve industry challenges and transform healthcare
- Build and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders including community leaders, business partners, industry colleagues
- Partner with key leaders across marketing, government affairs and other teams to engage communities through strategic partnerships, events, sponsorships and other outreach activities
Department/Team Leadership & Mentorship:
- Build, focus, align and energize a team of communications professionals to accomplish common goals and objectives
- Coach and mentor leaders and team members at all department levels - focusing on driving strategy and high performance, creating high-impact communications, and building strong team culture
- Manage department budget, major vendor contracts and agency relationships
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Minimum of Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university in Public Relations, Communications or a related field. Ten or more years of experience in public relations, communications or a related field, with increasing management responsibility. Must have excellent management skills and be guided by a compelling "client/customer" orientation. Manages numerous accounts and complex issues with an orientation toward both creativity and details. Works extremely well with key customers.
Additional Information
- Organization: Corporate Services
- Department: Public Relations - Admin
- Shift: Day Job
- Union Code: Not Applicable
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