Corporate Communications Director

RWJBarnabas Health; Short Hills (NJ); On-site; USD 134,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Medical and Prescription Drug Coverage

Dental and Vision Insurance

Retirement Plans

Tuition Reimbursement

Wellness Programs

Job summary

RWJBarnabas Health seeks a Corporate Communications Director to shape and elevate its reputation. This role involves developing external communication strategies that support system goals and manages relationships with media and stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in external communications, particularly within healthcare. The Director will also mentor the communications team and collaborate across various divisions to ensure consistent messaging and public

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in external communications or media relations.
• Proven success in high stakes media relations and crisis communications.
• Experience with senior executives in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute communications strategies aligned with system goals.
• Shape external profiles of executives through public engagement.
• Oversee creation of narratives highlighting system achievements.

Skills

Exceptional writing skills

Media relationships

Leadership presence

Crisis response

Collaborative mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications or related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Corporate Communications Director

Req #: 0000268389

Category: Marketing / Public Relations

Status: Full-Time

Shift: Day

Facility: RWJBarnabas Health Corporate Services

Department: Corporate Communications

Pay Range: $133,800.00 - $174,100.00 per year

Location: 95 Old Short Hills Road, West Orange, NJ 07052

Job Title: Director

Location: SBC Corporation

Department Name: Corporate Communications

Req #: 0000268389

Status: Salaried

Shift: Day

Pay Range: $133,800.00 - $174,100.00 per year

Pay Transparency:

The above reflects the anticipated annual salary range for this position if hired to work in New Jersey.

The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience.

A Typical Day

The Corporate Communications Director serves as a strategic leader responsible for shaping, protecting, and elevating the reputation of RWJBarnabas Health across all external audiences.This role drives high impact system positioning, executive visibility, and system wide storytelling that reinforces the organization s mission, clinical excellence, and community leadership.This position partners closely with system executives, hospital leadership, clinical service lines, marketing, government affairs, and digital teams to ensure consistent, proactive, and responsive communication that advances organizational priorities and strengthens public trust. Additionally, it also supports overall system media relations and issues management.

Strategic Communications Leadership

• Develop and execute comprehensive external communications strategies that support system goals, brand reputation, and enterprise initiatives
• Serve as advisor to the Vice President of Corporate Communications (External) and executive leadership on system strategy, public positioning, and reputational risk
• Lead integrated communications planning for major announcements, clinical milestones, partnerships, and organizational priorities

Organizational and Executive Positioning

• Oversee system awards and conferencing strategy in support of overarching system strategy
• Manage high visibility elevation opportunities and thought leadership placements for senior executives, clinical leaders and system and service line operations
• Ensure consistent messaging and alignment across all external channels
• Ensure coverage and amplification of all opportunities and accolades

Executive Visibility & Thought Leadership

• Shape and elevate the external profiles of system executives through speaking engagements, op eds, and industry platforms
• Partner with the VP and AVP of Executive Communications to develop executive messaging, positioning strategies, and long term visibility plans

Content Strategy & Storytelling

• Oversee creation of compelling narratives that highlight clinical innovation, patient stories, community impact, and system achievements
• Ensure high quality press materials, statements, speeches, and digital content that reflect RWJBarnabas Health s voice and values

Team Leadership & Cross Functional Collaboration

• Mentor PR specialist, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and creativity
• Collaborate with all members of the Corporate Communications division, digital marketing, corporate affairs, regional and service line communications teams to ensure integrated, aligned communications
• Serve as a system wide resource and for external communications best practices

Issues Management

• Serve as a key member of rapid response, messaging development, and operations as a member of the corporate communications division
• Support crisis playbooks, escalation protocols, and preparedness training for system and hospital leaders as needed

This Role Might Be For You If..

• Exceptional writing, editing, and message development skills
• Strong media relationships and deep understanding ogic insight
• Leadership presence, executive maturity, and the ability to influence at all levels
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver under tight deadlines
• Collaborative, proactive, and solutions oriented mindset
• Increased positive media coverage and strengthened system reputation
• Effective crisis response and mitigation of reputational risk
• Strong executive visibility and thought leadership presence
• High performing communications team and strong cross functional partnerships
• Consistent, aligned messaging across all external channels

To Be Considered

Required

• Bachelors degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or related field
• 10+ years of progressive experience in external communications, media relations, or public affairs, ideally within healthcare, large nonprofits, or complex organizations
• Proven success managing high stakes media relations and crisis communications
• Experience working with senior executives and subject matter experts in a fast paced, high visibility environment

Preferred

• Masters degree preferred

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties and responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits and Perks:

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Medical and Prescription Drug Insurance
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Retirement Plans
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Life & Accidental Death Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accountsi
• Wellness Programs
• Voluntary Benefits (e.g., Pet Insurance)
• Discounts Through our Partners such as NJ Devils, NJ PAC, Verizon, and more!

Choosing RWJBarnabas Health!

RWJBarnabas Health is the premier health care destination providing patient-centered, high-quality academic medicine in a compassionate and equitable manner, while delivering a best-in-class work experience to every member of the team. We honor and appreciate the privilege of creating and sustaining healthier communities, one person and one community at a time. As the leading academic health system in New Jersey, we advance innovative strategies in high-quality patient care, education, and research to address both the clinical and social determinants of health.

RWJBarnabas Health aims to truly make a unique impact in local communities throughout New Jersey. From vastly improving the health of local residents to creating educational and career opportunities, this combination greatly benefits the state. We understand the growing and evolving needs of residents in New Jersey-whether that be enhancing the coordination for treating complex health conditions or improving community health through local programs and education.

Equal Opportunity Employer

RWJBarnabas Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer