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Job Description

The Director of External Communications is responsible for leading strategic communications for Cedars-Sinai, working closely with the External Comms team and others to develop compelling content and secure news coverage that elevates the organization’s national and international reputation. This leader will shape stories for the news media, manage crisis communications, enhance content on the Cedars-Sinai Newsroom and serve as a primary editor for the team, ensuring the highest standards in digital and video storytelling. The Director will manage direct reports and work collaboratively with Marketing, Social Media and other teams to support priorities at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital, Cedars-Sinai Medical Network and affiliated hospitals. This individual will use metrics to measure and evolve earned media strategy while deploying SEO and AI strategies to boost newsroom traffic. 

The Director will bring to this position significant experience leading communications in a large, matrixed organization, preferably in an academic medical center or other healthcare setting. The leader in this position must possess exceptional writing and editing skills, sound news judgment and an astute ability to solve communications challenges calmly under tight deadlines. The Director will have the capacity to juggle numerous projects on a busy team that produces more than 500 stories annually about patients, medical research and other relevant subjects. The Director must be an effective communicator and a team player who can contribute meaningfully to a supportive team environment, conceive enterprise projects and stories, and write and edit a wide range of materials, including communications plans, news releases, media statements and messages for organizational leaders. 

• Partners with Chief Communications Officer and External Comms leaders to oversee communications strategy including content for the Cedars-Sinai Newsroom, media pitches and statements.
• Uses sound news judgment and experience to solve communications challenges calmly under tight deadlines.
• Conceives stories and projects with team, and writes and edits a wide range of materials, including communications plans, news releases, media statements and messages for organizational leaders. 
• Develops and implements strategic, targeted communications and tactics for special projects, events and campaigns across the health system that support and advance the organization's reputation and identity.
• Plays a leadership role in advancing communication strategies and tactics with counterparts in Marketing, Digital Strategy, Creative Studio and other related departments.
• Provides counsel and support for executive-level institutional crisis messaging as needed.
• Evaluates and implements external communications strategic plans in conjunction with service line leadership and others across the institution.

Qualifications

Educational Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism or Writing 

Experience Requirements:
8 years prior communications experience related to journalism, public relations/media relations required