Director of External Communications - Public Affairs

Ascension; United States; Remote; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascension is seeking a skilled Public Affairs Director to lead advocacy communications in their External Communications team. This role involves shaping and amplifying Ascension's voice on critical healthcare issues, collaborating with policymakers, and driving engagement with stakeholders to ensure alignment with Ascension’s mission and values.

Benefits

Various health insurance options & wellness plans

Paid time off (PTO)

Retirement benefits including employer match

Tuition reimbursement

Employee assistance programs (EAP)

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in public affairs, policy communications, or government relations.
• Deep understanding of healthcare policy and nonprofit advocacy.
• Exceptional writing and storytelling skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop public affairs strategies elevating Ascension’s policy agenda.
• Manage Public Affairs communications team and align messaging.
• Craft compelling communications for healthcare policy issues.

Skills

Advocacy Strategy and Messaging

Policy Fluency

Media and Stakeholder Engagement

Political Acumen

Cross-Departmental Alignment

Mission-Aligned Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, public policy, political science, or related field

Job description

We Are Hiring

• Department: External Communications
• Schedule: Full Time Monday - Friday 8-5pm CT
• Location: Remote

What You Will Do

Job Summary:Ascension is hiring a strategic, mission-aligned Public Affairs Director to join our External Communications team. This role will lead advocacy communications and drive engagement with policymakers, industry partners, and aligned stakeholders. The director will shape and amplify Ascension’s voice on critical healthcare policy issues, ensuring our values and priorities are clearly represented at the state and federal levels. This position reports to the Associate Vice President of External Communications.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute public affairs strategies that elevate Ascension’s policy agenda and mission-driven work.
• Manage Public Affairs communications team.
• Craft clear, compelling messaging on critical issues, including Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, access to care, and healthcare affordability.
• Support advocacy team with briefing documents, talking points, testimony, and stakeholder toolkits.
• Collaborate with legal, communications, and external affairs colleagues to ensure message alignment across platforms.
• Track policy developments, legislative activity, media narratives, and industry trends to guide timely and informed communications.
• Lead earned and owned media strategies for policy-related campaigns and public education efforts.
• Cultivate relationships with media, trade associations, think tanks, and advocacy organizations to amplify Ascension’s perspective.

Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in public affairs, policy communications, or government relations.
• A deep understanding of healthcare policy, nonprofit advocacy, and legislative processes.
• Exceptional writing and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex policy issues into accessible narratives.
• Proven ability to work effectively with government officials, associations, and external partners.
• A bachelor’s degree in communications, public policy, political science, or a related field is required.

Key Competencies:

• Advocacy Strategy and Messaging
• Policy Fluency
• Media and Stakeholder Engagement
• Political Acumen
• Cross-Departmental Alignment
• Mission-Aligned Communication

Why Join Us?At Ascension, advocacy is an extension of care—ensuring that the voices of patients, caregivers, and communities are heard where it matters most. As Director of Public Affairs, you will be at the forefront of critical healthcare conversations, using your expertise to protect access, influence policy, and advance justice in healthcare. You will join a mission-driven organization with national reach, a legacy of compassion, and a deep commitment to those who need care the most. If you are passionate about values-based advocacy and want to shape policy that impacts millions, Ascension offers a powerful platform for meaningful and lasting change.

What You Will Need

Education:

• High School diploma equivalency with 5 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required, with 2 of those years being in leadership/management OR Associate's degree/Bachelor's degree with 3 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required, with 2 of those years being in leadership/management.

Additional Preferences

#LI-Remote

Why Join Our Team

Ascension associates are key to our commitment of transforming healthcare and providing care to all, especially those most in need. Join us and help us drive impact through reimagining how we can deliver a people-centered healthcare experience and creating the solutions to do it. Explore career opportunities across our ministry locations and within our corporate headquarters.

Ascension is a leading non-profit, faith-based national health system made up of over 134,000 associates and 2,600 sites of care, including more than 140 hospitals and 40 senior living communities in 19 states.

Our Mission, Vision and Values encompass everything we do at Ascension. Every associate is empowered to give back, volunteer and make a positive impact in their community. Ascension careers are more than jobs; they are opportunities to enhance your life and the lives of the people around you.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.

As a military friendly organization, Ascension promotes career flexibility and offers many benefits to help support the well-being of our military families, spouses, veterans and reservists. Our associates are empowered to apply their military experience and unique perspective to their civilian career with Ascension.

Pay Non-Discrimination Notice

Please note that Ascension will make an offer of employment only to individuals who have applied for a position using our official application. Be on alert for possible fraudulent offers of employment. Ascension will not solicit money or banking information from applicants.

E-Verify Statement

This employer participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Please click the E-Verify link below for more information.E-Verify

Benefits

Paid time off (PTO) Various health insurance options & wellness plans Retirement benefits including employer match plans Long-term & short-term disability Employee assistance programs (EAP) Parental leave & adoption assistance Tuition reimbursement Ways to give back to your community

Benefit options and eligibility vary by position. Compensation varies based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, performance and salary range at the time of the offer.