Public Affairs Program Director

bannerhealth; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Banner Health in Phoenix, Arizona seeks a seasoned Public Relations leader to serve as the primary contact for proactive and reactive communications with media, government officials, and community stakeholders. This role shapes Banner Health's reputation through strategic campaigns, crisis management, and government relations support.

The position is full-time, hybrid, requiring in-person work at our Phoenix Corporate Center.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Business Administration, Marketing or related field.
• 7–10 years healthcare PR or AZ-focused public affairs experience in a large organization.

Responsibilities

• Owns proactive and reactive communications with media, government officials and stakeholders.
• Develops regional public affairs strategies and annual plans in AZ.
• Contributes to local trust, reputation and earned media goals.
• Supports government relations with strategic input and communications materials.
• Leads community engagement plans, sponsorships and AZ-focused campaigns.

Skills

stakeholder engagement

media relations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications or related field

Job description

Primary City/State:

Phoenix, Arizona

Department Name:

Public Relations

Work Shift:

Day

Job Category:

Marketing and Communications

Great careers are built at Banner Health. There’s more to health care than doctors and nurses. We support all staff members as they find the path that’s right for them.

This role is the primary point of contact for proactive and reactive communications with key influencers — including media, government officials, business community leaders, patient advocacy organizations, and nonprofits — ensuring Banner’s voice is consistent, credible, and impactful.

This is a full time Hybrid position.

Candidates must reside in Arizona as it will require some in-person work at our Phoenix Corporate Center.

Within Banner Health Corporate, you will have the opportunity to apply your unique experience and expertise in support of a nationally-recognized healthcare leader. We offer stimulating and rewarding careers in a wide array of disciplines. Whether your background is in Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, Legal, Managed Care Programs or Public Relations, you'll find many options for contributing to our award-winning patient care.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position serves as a cornerstone of Banner Health's reputation strategy, owning a dedicated and dynamic body of work that spans media engagement, government relations, issues management, and public relations as integrated pillars of a comprehensive program. This role is the primary point of contact for proactive and reactive communications with key influencers — including media, government officials, business community leaders, patient advocacy organizations, and nonprofits — ensuring Banner's voice is consistent, credible, and impactful. From on-call issues management and crisis communications to strategic PR campaigns and government relations support, this position plays a critical role in shaping and protecting Banner Health's reputation across the audiences that matter most. This is a dedicated program and pillar within the team, reflecting Banner's commitment to transparent, proactive, and strategic engagement with the communities and stakeholders we serve.

CORE FUNCTIONS

• Manages assigned relationships through consultation and regional stakeholders. Provides counsel and selected content support to Banner corporate and entity leaders related to strategic communications and reputation enhancing activities.
• Directs overall development of regional public affairs strategies in AZ, working with senior leaders to develop and implement an annual comprehensive plan that is directly tied to community trust, enhanced reputation and organizational strategic initiatives.
• Responsible for contribution of local trust, reputation and earned media goals.
• Supports Government Relations team through collaboration, strategic input on organization initiatives, and the development of communication materials, Works within the organization to tell a better, more complete community benefit story with external audiences.
• Ensures the timely development and execution of community engagement plans, chamber sponsorships, and other Arizona-focused campaigns and projects to assure goals are achieved.
• Plans, develops and defends budget recommendations, work goals, measurements, and training requirements necessary to provide both quality and accountable service.
• Executes duties and assignments as directed in compliance with corporate guidelines and objectives.
• Maintains open and complete communications of issues with leaders and corporate management. May support the defining, development and execution of strategic system-wide communications and campaigns.
• This position provides leadership in building the Banner brand externally, with a focus on educating key stakeholders on the value of the Banner Health organization. This position has freedom to determine how best to accomplish functions within established marketing parameters. This position will interact with C-suite level individuals, along with the facilities’ leadership teams. In addition, this position will interact with the marketing/PR shared services team as well as various other corporate services departments. The individual will also interact with external leaders and community organizations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must possess a strong knowledge of public relations and communications as normally obtained through the completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Business Administration, Marketing or related field.
• Skill level as typically evidenced through seven to ten years healthcare PR or Arizona-focused public affairs experience in a large organization. Must possess a significant knowledge of mass communications and stakeholder engagement, with a distinct understanding of Arizona communities, local organizations and the state’s political climate.

Previous experience dealing with the media and representing an organization at events, meetings and speaking opportunities. Excellent communication skills Must demonstrate the ability to deal effectively with conflict and manage relations that balance system needs and entity priorities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Prior experience in healthcare public relations strongly preferred. Prior experience with community engagement programming in Arizona strongly preferred. Additional related education and/or experience preferred.

EEO Statement

EEO/Disabled/Veterans

Our organization supports a drug-free work environment.

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