External Communications Director

City of Hope

• $110K — $130K *
Healthcare
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism, or a related field.
  • 8+ years of comprehensive communications experience, with at least 3 years in healthcare.
  • Experience in an academic medical center or nonprofit hospital is essential.
  • 3 years of leadership experience in a communications role.
  • Proven ability to develop compelling messaging and storytelling.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the external communications and public relations strategy for key stakeholder groups.
  • Serve as a senior communications advisor to executive leadership, guiding messaging and visibility.
  • Direct the external communications portfolio, including planning, budgeting, and performance measurement.
  • Establish success metrics and evaluate outcomes to adjust strategies accordingly.
  • Oversee integrated channel and media strategy, ensuring consistent external positioning across platforms.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package available.
  • Opportunities for professional development and growth.
  • Collaborative work environment with cross-functional teams.
  • Engagement in meaningful work within the healthcare sector.
Full Job Description
Position Summary:
The External Communications Director provides the strategic direction and implementation of local external communications and public relations initiatives for City of Hope key client/stakeholder groups, including the National Medical Center and the more than 20 outpatient clinical network locations. The Director oversees design and implementation of all local (the broader Los Angeles region) external communications programs and initiatives to enable the client/stakeholder groups to achieve their strategic objectives. This individual will also be responsible for developing and writing compelling messaging and storytelling that enhances brand awareness and reputation.
Reporting to the Vice President, Marketing & Communications, this position serves as a senior communications advisor to stakeholder leadership teams and directs the development and delivery of external communications through assigned staff, cross-functional partners and external agencies.

As a successful candidate, you will:
  • Lead and own the external communications and public relations strategy for assigned stakeholder groups. Establish priorities and integrated campaigns that advance scientific exchange, comprehensive cancer care, patient and program stories, and other strategic initiatives while strengthening City of Hope's brand awareness and reputation.
  • Serve as a senior communications advisor to stakeholder and executive leadership. Establish strategic direction for messaging, executive visibility, thought leadership, publications and external positioning, and provide recommendations on communications opportunities, risks and business implications.
  • Direct the external communications portfolio, including annual and long-range planning, budget management, resource allocation and performance measurement. Establish success metrics, evaluate outcomes and adjust strategies and investments to achieve business and reputational objectives.
  • Direct integrated channel and media strategy in partnership with strategic communications leadership, media relations, content teams and public relations agencies. Approve key story priorities and communications approaches across traditional, social and digital channels to ensure consistent, timely and effective external positioning.


Your qualifications should include:
  • Bachelor's Degree (preferably in Communications, Journalism or similar field).
  • 8+ years relevant experience in all aspects of communications, including minimum of 3 years in the health care arena. Experience in an academic medical center or nonprofit hospital required.
  • 3 years of experience in leadership capacity.

City of Hope employees pay is based on the following criteria: work experience, qualifications, and work location.

To learn more about our Comprehensive Benefits, please CLICK HERE

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