Senior Director of Communications

True Talent Group; Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory (MN); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Competitive compensation

Healthcare benefits

401(k)

Job summary

True Talent Group is seeking a Senior Director, Communications & Public Affairs to shape our client’s voice in healthcare innovation. You will lead strategy, media relations, and stakeholder engagement, reporting to the President & CEO.

This role requires a track record of guiding executives, elevating thought leadership, and integrating communications with public affairs across state and federal priorities. Hybrid work in the Twin Cities with a strong leadership team.

Qualifications

• 10+ years progressive leadership in communications or public affairs.
• Proven success developing integrated strategies.
• Experience advising executives and shaping executive communications.
• Strong writing, storytelling, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead integrated communications and public affairs strategy.
• Advise the President & CEO and Senior Leadership Team.
• Drive executive communications, thought leadership, and media relations.
• Oversee brand storytelling, external messaging, and reputation management.
• Coordinate with government affairs and policy priorities across levels of government.

Skills

Strategic communications

Executive communications

Media relations

Public affairs

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Policy communications

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications

Healthcare/policy experience

Job description

True Talent Group (www.truetalentgroup.com)® connects best-in-class talent with jobs they love! We’re searching for a Senior Director, Communications & Public Affairs to join a leading organization at the forefront of healthcare innovation in the Twin Cities.

Your Voice. Your Vision. The Future of Healthcare. Is it you?

Are you a strategic communications leader who knows how to shape a story, influence important conversations, and make a meaningful impact? Do you thrive at the intersection of communications, public affairs, and executive leadership?

If you're passionate about connecting people, ideas, and policy to drive real change, this could be your next big opportunity!

About the Role

Our client, a leading healthcare innovation organization, is seeking a dynamic Senior Director, Communications & Public Affairs to lead its organizational voice, strengthen its reputation, and elevate its influence across the healthcare innovation landscape.

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you'll report directly to the President & CEO, serving as a trusted advisor on executive communications, media relations, public affairs, reputation management, and stakeholder engagement.

You'll shape compelling narratives, champion thought leadership, and ensure that the organization's communications and advocacy priorities work together to advance its mission.

This is an exciting opportunity for a big-picture thinker who also loves rolling up their sleeves. You'll lead a talented team, collaborate with industry leaders and policymakers, and help position the organization as a leading voice in health innovation and care.

What You'll Do

Lead Communications & Public Affairs Strategy

• Develop and execute an integrated communications and public affairs strategy that strengthens the organization's visibility, credibility, and influence.
• Shape a compelling organizational narrative that connects the mission, membership value, policy priorities, and impact.
• Align messaging across executive leadership, government affairs, member engagement, events, and thought leadership.
• Anticipate emerging issues, identify opportunities, and provide strategic counsel on organizational positioning and reputation.
• Establish measurable goals and use insights to continuously improve communications effectiveness.

Elevate Executive Communications & Thought Leadership

• Serve as a strategic communications partner to the President & CEO and Senior Leadership Team.
• Craft compelling executive messaging, speeches, presentations, talking points, articles, and thought leadership content.
• Prepare executives for media interviews, public appearances, policy conversations, and high-profile events.
• Build a proactive thought leadership strategy that showcases the organization's expertise and role in transforming healthcare.
• Translate complex healthcare, business, and policy topics into clear, engaging stories that resonate.

Champion Public Affairs & Advocacy

• Provide strategic oversight of public affairs communications, ensuring alignment across state, federal, and regulatory priorities.
• Partner with and oversee the Government Affairs Lead, who owns Minnesota legislative strategy, lobbying activities, Capitol engagement, and compliance.
• Collaborate with federal and regulatory advisors to connect policy developments with organizational communications.
• Help shape advocacy campaigns, public statements, legislative communications, and stakeholder messaging.
• Build credibility and influence with policymakers, industry leaders, members, and community stakeholders.

Drive Media Relations & Reputation Management

• Lead earned media strategy and strengthen relationships with journalists, healthcare publications, and influential media outlets.
• Identify opportunities to elevate the organization, its members, leadership, and initiatives.
• Guide media outreach, press releases, interviews, and public statements.
• Lead crisis and issues communications planning, protecting organizational credibility during sensitive or high-visibility situations.
• Serve as an organizational spokesperson when designated by the President & CEO.

Bring the Brand & Story to Life

• Oversee editorial and content strategy across digital channels, newsletters, reports, social media, podcasts, webinars, and other platforms.
• Champion brand consistency and a distinctive organizational voice.
• Collaborate with marketing, partnerships, events, and member-facing teams to create impactful communications.
• Elevate member success stories, strategic partnerships, flagship events, and industry initiatives.
• Use content analytics and audience insights to strengthen engagement and impact.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to the Government Affairs Lead and Communications Coordinator.
• Guide external agencies, consultants, creative partners, and communications resources.
• Manage communications and public affairs budgets, priorities, and resources.
• Build efficient processes and foster a collaborative, accountable, and creative team environment.
• Contribute to organizational strategy and decision-making as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

What You Bring

You're a confident, collaborative communications leader who combines strategic vision with exceptional storytelling skills. You understand the power of relationships, know how to navigate complex issues, and bring sound judgment to every conversation.

Your Experience & Expertise

• 10+ years of progressive experience in communications, public affairs, media relations, executive communications, or related leadership roles.
• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, public affairs, political science, marketing, or a related field.
• Proven success developing and executing integrated communications and public affairs strategies.
• Significant experience advising senior executives and shaping executive communications and thought leadership.
• Strong understanding of public affairs, advocacy communications, policy issues, and stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrated expertise in media relations, reputation management, crisis communications, and brand strategy.
• Exceptional writing, editing, storytelling, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience leading teams, agencies, consultants, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to balance strategy with hands-on execution.
• Experience using analytics and performance metrics to guide communications decisions.

Even Better If You Bring

• Experience in healthcare, health innovation, life sciences, associations, nonprofits, government, or policy-driven organizations.
• Familiarity with Minnesota's healthcare ecosystem, public policy environment, business community, and media landscape.
• Experience supporting executive leadership teams and boards of directors.
• An advanced degree in communications, public affairs, public policy, business, law, or a related discipline.

What Makes You Shine

You're an exceptional communicator and a natural relationship builder. You're comfortable advising executives, collaborating with policymakers, and navigating sensitive issues with diplomacy and confidence.

You bring curiosity, sound judgment, creativity, and the ability to turn complex ideas into powerful messages. Most importantly, you're energized by the opportunity to make a difference in an organization helping shape the future of healthcare.

The Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity to join a mission-driven organization making a meaningful impact on the future of healthcare. Along with the chance to influence strategy, lead a talented team, and work alongside senior leadership, you'll enjoy a highly competitive compensation and benefits package.

• Location: Twin Cities metropolitan area, Minnesota
• Work Arrangement: Hybrid — in office Monday through Thursday, remote Fridays, with additional onsite presence as needed.
• Employment Type: Full-time, exempt
• Reporting To: President & CEO
• Leadership: Member of the Senior Leadership Team
• Compensation: $145,000–$165,000 annual base salary, plus bonus potential tied to organizational profitability.
• Healthcare Benefits: Exceptional benefits package for a nonprofit organization, including 80% employer-paid healthcare coverage.
• Generous Paid Time Off: 20 days of PTO plus 13 paid holidays
• Additional Benefits: 401(k), life and disability coverage, and optional benefit programs.

This role also requires frequent meetings and events throughout the Twin Cities, reliable transportation, and flexibility for occasional early mornings, evenings, or weekends.

About True Talent Group

The right skills. The right culture. The right connection.

At True Talent Group, we call it True Fit, and finding it is what we do best.

We’re a Minnesota based boutique recruiting and staffing firm specializing in marketing, creative, digital and communications talent. Since 2008, we’ve connected thousands of talented people with contract, contract-to-hire, consulting and full-time opportunities at organizations.

Our deep industry experience means we understand your work. Our personal approach means we take the time to understand you. We ask better questions, have real conversations and get to know your strengths, goals and the environment where you’ll thrive. Because the right opportunity can change your life.