Deputy Director, Group Communications Office (2 years contract)

National University Health System; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

National University Health System (NUHS) seeks an accomplished communications leader to head the Media Relations function at the cluster level. The role focuses on strategy, high-stakes media engagement, and crisis communication across NUHS, with governance and executive advisory responsibilities.

The incumbent will lead a team of media professionals, collaborate with government agencies and partners, and strengthen NUHS’s national profile while safeguarding its reputation in non-crisis periods.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or related discipline.
• 12–15 years of experience in media relations, strategic communications or equivalent.
• Experience in healthcare, public sector, or complex regulated environments is advantageous.
• Outstanding writing and storytelling ability across media statements, op-eds, speeches, and incident communications.
• Excellent news judgment and familiarity with Singapore’s media landscape and healthcare news developments.
• Proven track record in high‑stakes issues and crisis communications.
• Experience managing major media events and coordinating across multiple institutions or agencies.
• Strong leadership with over 5 years of experience leading high-performing communications teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead NUHS cluster-wide media relations strategy to strengthen NUHS’ reputation.
• Oversee high-stakes media engagement and crisis communications across NUHS.
• Build relationships with national media, government agencies, and healthcare partners.
• Provide governance, analytics and reporting to senior leadership.

Skills

Media relations

Strategic communications

Crisis communications

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications

Job description

The NUHS Group Communications Office shapes and drives strategic communications for the National University Health System (NUHS) as Singapore’s Academic Health System. We are seeking an accomplished communications leader with a strategic mindset, deep expertise in media relations, issues and crisis management, and strategic storytelling to lead the Media Relations function at the cluster level, ideally complemented by experience or exposure to healthcare‑related media work.

The SAD/DD, Media Relations will define and execute NUHS’ media strategy, strengthen public profile, and protect and enhance the organisation’s reputation. He/she will oversee high stakes media engagement, lead crisis and issues communications across NUHS, and serve as a key strategic advisor to senior leadership on reputational risk, national-level announcements, and external positioning. He/she will further be responsible for sustaining a consistent and credible media presence for NUHS during non-crisis periods, ensuring the organisation’s strengths, achievements and leadership are effectively showcased.

The incumbent will lead a team of media professionals, mentor institution-based communicators, and collaborate closely with government agencies, national media outlets, and healthcare partners. This role requires exceptional judgment, strong leadership and people management skills, and the ability to operate effectively in a complex, fast-paced environment.

Media Strategy and Reputation Leadership

• Develop and lead NUHS’ cluster-wide media relations strategy to strengthen NUHS’ reputation as Singapore’s Academic Health System.
• Identify and shape compelling narratives, thought leadership platforms, and proactive media opportunities.
• Provide strategic counsel to senior leadership on media positioning, reputational risks, and communication strategies.
• Oversee high-impact national stories, research breakthroughs, major organisational developments, and policy related announcements.

Issues Management and Crisis Communications

• Serve as NUHS’ cluster lead for issues and crisis communications, including governance, escalation protocols, and cross entity coordination.
• Lead sensitive communications involving patient safety, service incidents, clinical matters, or reputational risks.
• Manage the NUHS–government communications interface during high-stakes or national-level incidents.
• Develop crisis playbooks, scenario plans, holding statements, FAQs, and leadership communications.

Media Engagement and External Stakeholder Relations

• Build and maintain strong relationships with national, broadcast, digital and trade media outlets.
• Oversee proactive pitching, op eds, interviews, and ongoing engagement with journalists.
• Lead major media events including press conferences, ministerial visits, policy briefings, and strategic announcements.
• Liaise with government agencies, healthcare partners, academic institutions and industry stakeholders to ensure aligned narratives and messaging.

Insights, Monitoring and Reporting

• Oversee cluster-level media monitoring, analytics and insights, including sentiment trends, issue mapping, and reputational indicators.
• Deliver regular analyses and reports to senior leadership, including insights to anticipate risks or shape communications priorities.
• Use data to inform strategy, strengthen NUHS’ narrative, and support continuous improvement.

Leadership, Capability Building and Collaboration

• Lead and develop the Media Relations team; provide guidance, professional development and mentorship.
• Strengthen cluster-wide capability in media handling, narrative development, and issues management.
• Work closely with Communications leads across institutions and to ensure integrated communications.
• Provide coaching and media training to clinicians, researchers and senior leaders where required.

Administrative and Governance Responsibilities

• Manage budget for media operations, monitoring tools, training and vendors/agencies.
• Ensure compliance with NUHS and government communication policies, media protocols and governance standards.
• Provide secretariat support for media-related committees and working groups where required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or related discipline.
• 12–15 years of experience in media relations, strategic communications or equivalent.
• Experience in healthcare, public sector, or complex regulated environments is advantageous.
• Outstanding writing and storytelling ability across media statements, op-eds, speeches, and incident communications.
• Excellent news judgment and deep familiarity with Singapore’s media landscape and comprehensive awareness of healthcare news developments - locally, internationally, and across competing institutions.
• Proven track record in high‑stakes issues and crisis communications.
• Experience managing major media events and coordinating across multiple institutions or agencies.
• Ability to operate under pressure with discretion and professionalism.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into reputational insights.
• Strong stakeholder management and proven ability to influence senior leaders.
• Strong leadership with over 5 years of experience leading high-performing communications teams