Program Manager, Communications - 470 Patterson Avenue | Sutter Health Job

We are so glad you are interested in joining Sutter Health!

Organization:

SHSO-Sutter Health System Office-Valley

Position Overview:

In coordination with the leadership for the assigned communications area, contribute to, develop and support innovative communication plans, strategies, and messaging that engage audiences in novel and compelling ways that inspire, influence and inform. Takes a proactive research and Lean-based approach to developing and implementing multi-audience and multi-stakeholder, internal and external communications plans and providing tactical execution for assigned focus area(s) that build awareness, understanding and commitment to Sutter Health. Support the development and implementation of communication strategies and plans that advance Sutter Health's culture, explain key focus area initiatives, and foster an understanding of business strategies.

Manage and support portions of innovative and integrated campaigns and/or activities and events employing a variety of channels and vehicles and cultivating a unified corporate identity through illustrative graphics, engaging photos, inspirational videos, and effective messaging. Cultivate a unified corporate identity through illustrative graphics, classic typography, engaging photos, inspirational videos and on-point messaging. Ensure the consistent and appropriate use of Sutter Health’s brand assets. As a key member of communications, provide analytical support and guidance to multifunctional teams across assigned focus area and business initiatives to drive communication results that build awareness of Sutter Health’s advantages and differentiators, while protecting and enhancing Sutter Health’s brand and reputation. This includes proactively identifying, addressing, and mitigating issues. Oversees contract communication professionals to ensure aligned communications around strategic priorities. Continually evaluates communications plans and collateral to ensure the effectiveness of the content and distribution methods.

Potential Focus Areas:
§Executive Communications/Thought Leadership
§Issues Management/Reputation Management/Corporate Affairs
§Media Relations/External Communications
§Enterprise & Systemwide Communications

Job Description:

These Principal Accountabilities, Requirements and Qualifications are not exhaustive, but are merely the most descriptive of the current job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, staff changes, workload, or technical development).

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Communications Planning and Implementation

• Use personal initiative, creativity, strong judgment, constituent research and strong constituent relationships to support communications for designated audiences
• Conceptualize, develop and implement portions of communications campaigns in support of organizational strategy
• Encourage and cultivate focus-area news and stories to share with, and inspire system-wide audiences through, strong relationships with subject matter experts
• Develop and integrate messaging into broader Sutter Health communications and marketing strategies
• Collaborate with department staff to ensure communications deliverables meet time, cost, quality and strategic standards, as well as adherence to key performance indicators and brand standards
• Encourage and develop efficient work and tracking processes
• In collaboration with other marketing and communications leaders, advance and undertake research/audit initiatives that inform and assess effectiveness of proposed and existing communications strategies or channels, employee perceptions or communications preferences, etc.
• Keep assigned focus area leader of key communications activities and their value
• Interpret and enforce compliance with the latest AP Stylebook, as well as Sutter Health publications style and brand style guides
• Adhere to strategic communications plans, and meet associated deadlines and delivery dates
• Create and maintain a library/repository of communications material about the targeted focus area
• Partner with Sutter Health Communications colleagues on the planning and implementation of initiatives that advance and support Sutter Health’s mission, strategic vision and plan

Additional Accountabilities Based on Focus Area

Executive Communications/Thought Leadership

• Develop communications and engagement strategies and content for key Sutter Health Executive Leadership Team members
• Proactively and strategically identify, evaluate and pursue communications, engagement and speaking opportunities for key senior executives that drive organizational strategy, increase system brand awareness and positively position Sutter Health as an industry leader with high-impact target audiences including business partners; employers; and business, government and community leaders
• Write and edit executive speeches and develop inspiring and engaging content
• Partner with social media team to build out and leverage social media platforms and strategy for senior executives
• Enhance internal CEO and senior leader visibility through mutli-faceted communications (written, video, etc.)
• Develop engaging presentations and materials about Sutter Health and customize for executives as needed
• Provide and arrange for senior executive presentation and news media coaching

EnterpriseCommunications

• Help implement annually a proactive, multi-audience, function-specific extension of Sutter Health’s strategic communications plan.
• Serve as key communications advisor to key function leaders on internal and external constituent messaging, as well as manage strategic projects and initiatives.
• Partner with Executive Communications and Media teams on external thought leader strategy and message narrative development.
• Build intra-function and systemwide awareness, understanding and utilization of System Enterprises’ strategies, concepts and tools.
• Support the development of and help manage multi-audience communications strategies and tactics to respond to urgent and crisis situations involving System Enterprises.
• Partner with Communications and Marketing teams to build out and leverage internal, media, multimedia and social media platforms and strategies for key projects and senior executives.

Internal Communications (System)

• Conceptualize and implement coordinated internal campaigns and employee engagement strategies in support of the organization’s reputation and culture building work
• Oversee information delivery to and interaction with employee audiences via the FirstUp online employee news platform, electronic e-newsletters for leaders and employees, and updates to MySutter, among other vehicles
• Work closely with internal communications director and other leaders to help guide, develop and implement key strategies to enhance internal employee platforms
• Encourage and develop opportunities/processes to support an integrated systemwide approach to internal newsgathering and dissemination
• Oversee annual editorial calendars for traditional and online internal communication in coordination with market communications teams
• Oversee project management and communications support of systemwide annual internal programs and initiatives   
• Serve as a communications consultant to system departments on key projects and initiatives
• Partner with Sutter Health communications team colleagues and others to guide and support content for systemwide virtual and in-person forums/events
• Oversee quantitative and qualitative metrics and analytics to measure and evaluate employee engagement, effectiveness and performance

Issues & Reputation Management & Corporate Affairs

• Promote, protect and enhance the Sutter Health brand by assimilating facts on complex issues, synthesizing and creating compelling cases for direction on issues and crises by providing high-quality communications deliverables
• Develop and implement multi-audience communications strategies and tactics to proactively manage issues and respond to urgent crisis situations
• Track issues and integrate issues management efforts with ongoing proactive communications programs, to ensure integration and alignment with Sutter Health’s mission, vision, values, brand and reputation
• Manage responses to media on issues that may affect our reputation internally, externally or with key partners and suppliers
• Respond to, and support, sensitive communications on actual and emerging issues and crises, frequently in short deadline-driving situation
• Help identify trends, issues and legislation and anticipate their effects – an early warning system for emerging issues. With this responsibility comes accountability for development strategies to respond and address negative issues and crises as they emerge
• At the request of the director or manager, serve as a spokesperson for online, print, radio and television interviews, or prepare and manage interviews with identified leaders
• Identify, research and plan social/digital media opportunities and other emerging communications strategies to support the convergence of traditional and new media in support of Sutter’s reputation building efforts
• Anticipate and leverage issues with Sutter Health’s reputation top of mind and develop strategic approaches to these issues by evaluating and suggesting modifications to operations and policies, as well as messages and communications strategies to articulate our position
• Proactively partner with leaders, workforce & labor relations and legal counsel on the development of communications plans and media relations strategies to effectively influence, inform and educate internal and external audiences
• Lead labor communication plan and collaborate closely with market communications lead to support leader message and execution.
• Serve as a communications consultant to affiliate and operating unit leaders on crisis communications and issues management
• Organize and maintain toolkits, issues tracker, toolkits and messaging documents related to above referenced issues such as labor, operational changes, natural disasters, patient quality concerns, negative incidents.

Media Relations & External Communications

• Act as a media spokesperson on behalf of the organization
• Encourage and develop opportunities/processes to support an integrated system-wide approach to collecting and sharing stories for external purposes
• Work in conjunction with other key stakeholders to create and drive content for all types of media channels (traditional, owned, broadcast/radio, and social) to support reputation management
• Continually review and re-align strategic priorities based on evolving trends and needs
• Collaborate with media relations team to determine priority messages, spokespeople, challenges and opportunities
• Provide and arrange for media training for identified spokespeople
• Participate in on-call schedule, and respond to events or issues as they arise
• In partnership with the entire team, maintain media tracking database and story grid
• Have a clear understanding of the news cycle and media outlet focus areas
• Employ mobile strategies to optimize communications outreach to decentralized workforce.

Other

• Oversee and support content development and establish standards for internal communications, including newsletters, announcements, email, scripts, web pages, special reports, speeches, presentations, and videos
• Supervise annual editorial calendars, content and platforms for traditional and online internal communication in coordination with Sutter Health communication colleagues
• Make appropriate arrangements to ensure that communications materials are accurate, error-free, timely and produced within budget, including identifying and seeking appropriate and necessary reviews in advance of publication
• Manage vendor, freelance and/or agency relationships to help ensure high-quality, cost-efficient communications
• In coordination with leaders in the communications department, support legal and crisis communications involving various audiences
• Oversee quantitative and qualitative metrics and analytics to measure and evaluate engagement, effectiveness and performance, while identifying opportunities to advance communications strategies

EDUCATION:
Equivalent experience will be accepted in lieu of the required degree or diploma.

Bachelor's: Communications, English, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations (PR), or related field.


TYPICAL EXPERIENCE:

5 years of recent relevant experience.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:
Knowledge of strategic communications planning; social networking; graphic standards and corporate identity management; graphic design principles and production; news, feature, leadership presentations; script writing and editing techniques; publications development, production, and management; principles of photography and audio/video production; Web site development and maintenance; audience list maintenance, and special events coordination.

Professional communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills, presentation and negotiation competencies, with the ability to interpret corporate goals and translate them into an effective communications/constituent relations plan.

Current knowledge of regional, state and national health care and medicine issues, Northern California current events, and cultural and health care trends.
Business acumen and exceptional analytic skills with the proven ability to provide innovative communication solutions to complex problems and to meet business objectives.

Exceptional attention to detail with time management and organization skills, including the demonstrated ability to maintain production schedules and strictly adhere to multiple timelines and budgets.

Functional knowledge of selecting/hiring third-party talent for creative services, graphic design and production, publication development and management, market research and advertising.

Understanding of and experience with Lean or other process improvement philosophies and methodologies.

Competency in Microsoft Office suite, including working knowledge of graphic design, data management, and statistical analysis software.

Assess and understand target audience attitudes, opinions, and preferences; and then, develop communications to build consensus, awareness, or inform.

Energize, mobilize, and influence by fostering productive and collaborative working relationships with internal and external constituencies, including the effective management of resources.

Synthesize information and ideas across a variety of subject matter areas and to create communication plans that generate an engaging and positive reader experience.

Manage, prioritize and drive multiple projects in an ever-changing environment to deliver quality products and services on-time and on-budget.

Negotiate effectively with staff, senior management, vendors, media partnerships, external agencies and organizations.

Identify and solve complex problems, generate actionable recommendations, and make informed decisions based on the analysis of multiple sources of information while providing new perspectives on existing solutions.

Build collaborative working relationships with peers, other departments, stakeholders, management, and vendors to achieve marketing goals and corporate objectives.

Job Shift:

Days

Schedule:

Full Time

Days of the Week:

Monday - Friday

Weekend Requirements:

Occasionally

Benefits:

Yes

Unions:

No

Position Status:

Exempt

Weekly Hours:

40

Employee Status:

Regular

Sutter Health is an equal opportunity employer EOE/M/F/Disability/Veterans.

Pay Range is $106,745.60 to $160,118.40 / annual salary

The posted pay range is based on the position's primary work location. Candidates who reside and work outside of that location may be subject to a different pay range based on their work location. Candidate starting salaries consider multiple factors, including, but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, licensure, certifications, departmental equity, training, and organizational needs. Base pay is only one component of Sutter Health’s comprehensive total rewards program. Eligible positions also include a comprehensive benefits package.