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
Our compensation philosophy
We offer competitive total compensation that includes pay, benefits, and other recognition programs for our employees. The base pay range shown above takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including knowledge/skills; relevant experience and training; education/certifications/licensure; and other business and organizational factors. This base pay range does not include our comprehensive benefits package and any incentive payments that may be applicable to this role. Pay Transparency Non Discrimination Provision (PDF) (opens in new window)
Diversity and Inclusion at Cedars-Sinai
We are caretakers and innovators committed to the pursuit of equitable healthcare. But health equity is not possible without representation. Our commitment to diversity goes beyond demographics or checking boxes. Our people must reflect the diverse identities, experiences and geographies of the communities and patients we serve – because that’s what our patients, colleagues and communities deserve. Quality Care and Research—For All, By All (opens in new window).
Cedars-Sinai is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Cedars-Sinai does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of the race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, physical or mental disability, legally protected medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics or any genetic information), marital status, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age (40 or older), military and/or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal or state law. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at Applicant_Accommodation@cshs.org and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.
Cedars-Sinai will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, in accordance with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.
At Cedars-Sinai, we are dedicated to the safety, health and wellbeing of our patients and employees. This includes protecting our patients from communicable diseases, such as influenza (flu) and COVID-19. For this reason, we require that all new employees receive a flu vaccine based on the seasonal availability of flu vaccine (typically during September through April each year) as a condition of employment, and annually thereafter as a condition of continued employment, subject to medical exemption or religious accommodation. For the same reason, you may also be required to receive other vaccines such as COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Cedars-Sinai reserves the right to make modifications to its required list of vaccines as required by law and/or policy. Cedars-Sinai’s AA Policy Statement (PDF) (opens in new window)