Communications Director

Hennepin Healthcare; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis is seeking a senior communications leader to guide enterprise-wide strategic communications across internal, external, digital, and media platforms. You will direct crisis communications, executive messaging, and stakeholder engagement to strengthen the system’s reputation and community trust.

The role reports to the Vice President of Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs and leads a team responsible for integrated communications, digital storytelling,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, or related field.
• 8+ years of marketing/communications experience; healthcare preferred or equivalent.
• At least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Experience managing direct reports and coaching team members.

Responsibilities

• Lead crisis & public relations efforts across enterprise-wide communications.
• Oversee systemwide media relations and escalation processes with Legal, Privacy, Security, and leadership.
• Provide strategic advisory support to executive leadership on messaging and organizational change.
• Manage internal and external communications channels, including CEO messages and intranet updates.
• Develop talking points, scripts, FAQs, and toolkits for major initiatives.

Skills

Crises & communications leadership

Strategic communications

Team leadership

Storytelling and content strategy

Executive communications

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications/public relations

Job description

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

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