Director of Internal Communications

If you are a strategic thinker, innovative problem solver, and collaborative leader with a passion for internal communications and employee engagement, we invite you to join our team and help shape the future of healthcare.

Job Summary:

Collaborate closely with leaders and key stakeholders across the health system and be responsible for planning, developing, leading, and executing a comprehensive internal communications strategy that fosters engagement, alignment, and connectivity across Care New England.

The Director of Internal Communications, plays a critical role in enhancing the employee experience, driving organizational culture, and aligning communication efforts with the broader strategic objectives of Care New England.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Develop and implement a strategic internal communications plan that supports the company's strategic vision, goals, and objectives, while ensuring the plan is aligned with the vision of the offices of the CEO, Chief People Officer, Operating Unit Presidents and Marketing and Communications.

Drive communications to align with a strategic vision for the organization, and seamlessly cascade across operating units and audiences in a way that makes teams feel connected and informed. This includes content, channel strategy, and cadence of content, across the system.

Create and lead a high-performing team of internal communications professionals, providing guidance, mentorship, and support to ensure the successful execution of communication initiatives.

Responsible for partnering with the Labor Relations team to ensure the creation and execution of a comprehensive communication strategy to support labor and employee relations annually; increased effort and partnership preparing for and leading through contract negotiations. Partner with government relations, counsel and outside counsel to achieve outcomes.

Think creatively to establish and maintain multiple channels for the distribution of internal messaging to reach a diverse 24/7 workforce, many of which are not often at a computer. Tactics may include email, newsletters, digital signage, intranet platform, social media platforms, apps, in person and virtual meetings, social media and other innovative communication and management tools.

Create methods for bi-directional information sharing and feedback loops.

Understand and consider the needs of the physician community and execute on the strategies that communicate effectively with clinical staff to promote action and engagement with aligned objectives.

Provide management for a wide-ranging portfolio of Internal Communications initiatives, projects, and events.

Interact with team members at all levels and seeks out information to understand what is important to them, what information they need and how they are feeling about the state of the organization and specific initiatives.

Mines sources to find great stories that express what is exceptional about CNE.

Responsible for evolving our channel distribution to include the development and management of the Employee App and coordinates with Marketing, HRIS (Human Resources Information Systems) and IT teams to enable technical enhancements and exceptional end user experience.

Requires the ability to listen as well as change the thinking of, or gain consensus from, others in sensitive situations, without damage to the relationships.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create compelling content that informs, inspires, and engages employees at all levels of the organization. Demonstrate high proficiency in co-creating internal communications from the voice of our people.

Oversee the development and management of an internal employee communications portal or Intranet, ensuring it is user-friendly, easy to navigate, and equipped with features that facilitate real-time connection and co-creation among employees. With co-creation, the ability to create and manage tools like surveys and polls across the health system relative to internal communication initiatives.

Drive continuous improvement in communication processes and practices, leveraging data and feedback to measure effectiveness, identify areas for enhancement, and optimize communication strategies.

Interact frequently with internal and external customers and vendors particularly in problem resolution, crisis management, and union relations.

Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing strategic counsel and guidance on internal communication matters, and representing the voice of employees in decision-making processes.

Consider the goals of the system and its communications needs as well as supporting the goals of the OUs and the communication needs of OU leaders.

Partner with the CEO to communicate his vision, learning to communicate in this voice, providing talking points, drafting presentations and messages.

Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field.

Minimum of 8 years of experience in internal communications, with a proven track record of developing and executing strategic communication plans in a complex organizational environment.

Demonstrated leadership experience, including the ability to build and motivate high-performing teams, manage competing priorities, and drive results in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships, collaborate effectively with cross-functional stakeholders, and influence outcomes at all levels of the organization.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a keen attention to detail and the ability to convey complex information in a clear and compelling manner.

Proficiency in digital communication tools and platforms, including content management systems, social media channels, and employee engagement platforms.

Knowledge of healthcare industry trends and best practices in internal communications is highly desirable.

Demonstrated project management skills inclusive of management of scope, budget and deadlines.

Care New England Health System (CNE) and its member institutions, Butler Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital, Kent Hospital, VNA of Care New England, Integra, The Providence Center, and Care New England Medical Group, and our Wellness Center, are trusted organizations fueling the latest advances in medical research, attracting top specialty-trained doctors, and honing renowned services and innovative programs to engage in the important discussions people need to have about their health.

Americans with Disability Act Statement: External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled must be able to perform the essential job-specific functions either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation, to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis.

EEOC Statement: Care New England is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Ethics Statement: Employee conducts himself/herself consistent with the ethical standards of the organization including, but not limited to hospital policy, mission, vision, and values.