Vice President (VP) - Communications, Marketing, & Public Affairs

Hennepin Healthcare is an integrated system of care that includes HCMC, a nationally recognized Level I Adult Trauma Center and Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and acute care hospital, as well as a clinic system with primary care clinics located in Minneapolis and across Hennepin County. The comprehensive healthcare system includes a 473-bed academic medical center, a large outpatient Clinic & Specialty Center, and a network of clinics in the North Loop, Whittier, and East Lake Street neighborhoods of Minneapolis, and in the suburban communities of Brooklyn Park, Golden Valley, Richfield, and St. Anthony Village. Hennepin Healthcare has a large psychiatric program, home care, and operates a research institute, philanthropic foundation, and Hennepin EMS. The system is operated by Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc., a subsidiary corporation of Hennepin County.

Equal Employment Opportunities: We believe equity is essential for optimal health outcomes and are committed to achieve optimal health for all by actively eliminating barriers due to racism, poverty, gender identity, and other determinants of health. We are committed to equitable care and working in an environment that celebrates, promotes, and protects diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are committed to bringing in individuals with new cultural perspectives to assist in creating a more equitable healthcare organization.

SUMMARY:

We are currently seeking a Vice President (VP) of Communications, Marketing, & Public Affairs to join our Public Relations team.

Purpose of this position: Leads the public affairs strategy of the health system through the development, implementation, and evaluation of advocacy and public policy and public relations (communications and marketing) priorities, building on a culture of trust and transparency, in alignment with strategic initiatives.

Directs the creation, implementation, and evaluation of marketing, communications, and advocacy programs that measurably shape positive opinions and evokes desired actions among various key audiences.

Reports to the CEO and serves as a critical member of executive leadership and in close partnership with the Strategy, Foundation and Health Equity teams.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Administration

• Direct the work of the health system's Communications, Advocacy and Public Policy, Public Relations and Marketing teams to create and produce materials to inform the public, patients, employees, and elected officials about programs, policies and actions
• Responsible for the fiscal management of department; assures proper utilization of organization's financial resources, including preparing and managing department budget
• Builds, sustains, and demonstrates knowledge of system and healthcare, city, county, state and federal government, public relations, communications, and marketing industries
• Support strategic communications and government components of clinical redesign and campus redevelopment
• Counsels' administrators, physicians, and departments on public affairs strategies most appropriate to achieve organizational or program-specific goals
• Leads public affairs and communications strategy that garners the support of opinion leaders (legislative, media, community) for the healthcare system, its physicians, and programs
• Supports engagement of grassroots community partnerships around specific interests or involvement. Inclusive of County partnerships

Advocacy and Communications

• Directs the development of strategic and tactical public relations and marketing plans, including crisis plans
• Leads in an issues anticipation process that advances the healthcare system's mission with elected and non-elected officials
• Supports internal and external reputation management by supporting strategic proactive messaging efforts to government, elected audiences, and community
• Oversees a news media relations program, determining the appropriateness of media requests for information. Advises on the content, timing and manner of media releases in conformance with organizational and medical codes of ethics
• Oversees an internal communications program for the organization and effectively communicates departmental, organization, and industry information to team members
• Oversees the writing and editing of executive communications, news releases, and other materials and major creative projects
• Oversee advocacy team in crafting the system's public policy initiatives and legislative program at the state and federal level and monitoring the environment to identify and assess the impact of public policy decisions that may impact our system
• Serves as an official spokesperson for the health system to media including oversight of requests for information about healthcare system programs

Relationship building/maintaining

• Cultivates and supports relationships with: HHS staff, Boards, and external entities including state and federal elected and administration officials, and key organizations, staff and administration leadership, and public policy advisors
• Plans and establishes strategic leadership role(s) for the system in government and industry organizations and other appropriate advocacy entities in community and region and contributes to system's visibility and influence within these constituencies
• Supports team to develop marketing approaches, policies and programs to promote audience understanding of healthcare system services
• Oversees marketing programs and market research, advertising, and printed and electronic publication creation, development and distribution
• Supports the engagement and integration of the senior and clinical leadership in development of the public persona, brand, and marketing of the health system
• Represents the marketing discipline in service line and/or facility leadership teams. Actively partner with operational leadership in the development and implementation of marketing plans
• Partners with leaders of strategy, philanthropy, and health equity teams to ensure cohesive, measurable annual marketing communication plans that are consistent across each communication channel
• May serve as America's Essential Hospitals representative for communications, strategy and public policy

Supervision provided to

• Communications, Marketing team, and Advocacy and Public Policy team
• Matrix relationships with Strategy, Foundation, Health Equity

Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• 4-year degree with a major concentration in Liberal Arts, Business, Political Science, Communications or related areas
• 10 plus years of experience in communications, marketing, public policy, public affairs, legislative analysis, lobbying, and/or direct regulatory interaction or equivalent experience

-OR-

• An approved equivalent combination of education and experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in government relations, and/or media/communications/marketing, including four years in management

Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities:

• Exhibits a strong presence of command
• Proven, successful, progressively responsible leadership, management and execution experience
• Skilled and experienced in directing a full business unit and ability to effectively allocate resources (i.e. budget and personnel)
• Capable of assisting executives in defining organizational goals, critical issues, and strategic plans
• Experience modeling and upholding organizational norms and values, particularly with regards to health and safety
• Exceptional problem solving and critical thinking when addressing organizational issues
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and innovatively while supporting company-wide initiatives
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate and negotiate with people at all levels
• Proven experience and ability influencing at Board level and at the highest level of state and federal government levels leaders
• Knowledge of health care policy and finance, in particular areas that affect hospitals and safety-net providers

You've made the right choice in considering Hennepin Healthcare for your employment. We offer a wealth of opportunities for individuals who want to make an impact in our patients' lives. We are dedicated to providing Equal Employment Opportunities to both current and prospective employees. We are driven to connect talented individuals with life-changing career opportunities, enabling you to provide exceptional care without exception. Thank you for considering Hennepin Healthcare as a future employer.

Please Note: Offers of employment from Hennepin Healthcare are conditional and contingent upon successful clearance of all background checks and pre-employment requirements.