Director – System Communications (Remote)

We’ve made a lot of progress since opening the doors in 1942, but one thing has never changed – our commitment to serve, heal, lead, educate, and innovate.  We believe that every award earned, every record broken and every patient helped is because of the dedicated employees who fill our hallways. 

At Ochsner, whether you work with patients every day or support those who do, you are making a difference and that matters.  Come make a difference at Ochsner Health and discover your future today! 

System Communications is instrumental in advancing organizational strategy, facilitating operational and behavioral change, building connection and culture, and influencing internal stakeholders around Ochsner’s work and impact on healthcare. The System Communications function is a subset of the larger Enterprise Communications team, which is responsible for building, growing, and protecting Ochsner’s reputation in a way that shapes the external environment and nurtures internal culture and the successful fulfillment of the organization’s strategic plan.

The Director of System Communications is responsible for supporting strategy development, implementation, and tracking of system and regional communications initiatives at Ochsner Health. The Director builds trusted relationships with and advises members of the system and regional leadership teams on how best to develop, refine, disseminate, and respond to targeted messaging. This position oversees the system’s internal flow of news and information proactively and in response to emerging priorities. Understanding the system strategy, the Director will work with the Enterprise Communications leadership team to set the communication function’s strategy, implementing a broad range of traditional and digital communications tactics to meet a diverse range of stakeholders.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Ochsner’s discretion.

Education 

Required – Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Business Administration, or related field.

Preferred – Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Communications, English, Journalism, Business Administration, or related field.

Work Experience

Required – 10 years corporate communications or business communications experience including 3 years in a management role.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Good organizational, time management, interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
• Professional attitude and skills to relate to executive management, professionals and business and community leaders.
• Exhibits excellent leadership and self-direction, good judgment in handling difficult situations.
• Must have computer skills and be proficient with Windows-style applications, various software packages specific to the role.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present information clearly and professionally to varying levels of individuals throughout the patient care process.

Job Duties

• Supports strategic planning, direction, execution, and accountability of system-level strategic communications with internal stakeholders related to specific categories and based on direction from the executive team and senior Enterprise Communications leaders.

• Leads the design and execution of all aspects of the distribution of news and information around the system through a broad mix of platforms and tactics.
• Manages and executes systemwide communications platforms, ensuring the system is galvanized around the brand vision, position and strategy and alignment with partners.
• Partners with Brand Marketing and Human Resources to communicate and optimize Ochsner’s organizational culture and employee experience through cohesive and persuasive messaging, engaging employee programs and branded materials for assigned regions and programs
• Extends the brand and culture vision internally and promotes brand engagement and loyalty by supporting the development of a system strategy for enterprise communications and leading and executing assigned categories.
• Leads several client relationships as assigned across service lines, regions and corporate functions to manage change and reputational issues through the development of proactive and reactive communications strategies, a consistent response protocol across the system and the identification and monitoring of emerging issues.
• Collaborates with executive and operational leaders across the organization to ensure attainment of key operating and organizational goals.
• Provides leadership and mentoring to the communications team charged with strengthening the brand, image and reputation of the organization. Leads and carries responsibility for the work of any direct reports.   
• Helps to develop, refine and extend the voice of assigned executive leaders across internal audiences including employees, leaders, physicians and partners.
• Contributes to the development of internal thought leadership and executive communications strategy for key system and regional executive leaders.
• Source and manage the activities and budgets of communications agencies and vendors to support organizational goals related to assigned areas.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.

Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state and local laws, accreditation standards or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the assigned area of responsibility and ensures compliance with all such laws, regulations and standards.

Complies with the Ochsner Health System Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct, including the immediate reporting of any known or suspected unethical or questionable behaviors or conduct; patient/employee safety, patient privacy, and/or other compliance-related concerns.

Ochsner is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.
 

Physical and Environmental Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 

Medium Work – Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.   (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible. Mechanical lifting devices (carts, dollies, etc.) or team lifts should be utilized.

Must be able to travel throughout and between facilities.
Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time.
Must be able to stand up to two or more hours at a time.
Must be able to work a flexible schedule (e.g. 24/7, weekend, holiday, on call availability).

Normal routine involves no exposure to blood, body fluid or tissue, but exposure or potential for exposure may occur.

The incumbent works with patients who have known or suspected communicable diseases and may enter isolation rooms.  The incumbent has an occupational risk for exposure to all communicable diseases.

Are you ready to make a difference? Apply Today!

Ochsner Health does not consider an individual an applicant until they have formally applied to the open position on this careers website.

Individuals who reside in and will work from the following areas are not eligible for remote work position: Colorado, California, Hawaii, Maryland, New York, Washington, and Washington D.C.

Ochsner Health endeavors to make our site accessible to all users.  If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website, or if you need an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact our HR Employee Solution Center at 504-842-4748 (select option 1) or careers@ochsner.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and providing a workplace that is free from discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, pregnancy status, pregnancy-related conditions, national origin, ancestry, mental or physical disability, medical condition, age, veteran status, military status, citizenship status, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, unemployment status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law. These protections extend to applicants and all employment related decisions. View the EEO is the Law poster and its supplement, as well as the pay transparency policy for more information. 

Affirmative Action Policy Statement