Associate Director, Executive Thought Leadership & Special Projects

Joint Commission•Oakbrook Terrace, IL

1d•$96,000 - $128,000

About The Position

The Associate Director, Executive Thought Leadership & Special Projects is a senior communications leader responsible for developing and advancing thought leadership platforms for members of the executive team while leading select strategic projects for the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. The role translates enterprise priorities, industry issues and executive perspectives into speeches, presentations, social content, speaking opportunities and other high-impact communications. It partners with senior leaders to develop distinctive, authentic voices and ensure their internal and external presence is strategic, coordinated and aligned with the organization’s mission and priorities. The Associate Director is a close partner to the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer on discrete, high-priority initiatives requiring strong judgment, strategic thinking, writing and cross-functional coordination. Projects may include developing a more coordinated enterprise-wide approach to speaking engagements and speaker opportunities. The successful candidate is strategic and hands-on, proactive, organized and comfortable taking an idea or priority from concept through execution with minimal oversight.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, healthcare, business or a related field.
Significant experience in executive communications, thought leadership, corporate communications, speechwriting, journalism, public affairs or a related discipline.
Exceptional writing and storytelling ability, including demonstrated ability to capture senior executives’ voices and perspectives.
Experience developing executive presentations, speeches, talking points, social content and other high-level communications.
Demonstrated experience and gravitas working directly with C-suite or other senior leaders in a complex organization.
Strong strategic and project-management skills, with the ability to independently advance ambiguous or complex assignments.
Ability to quickly synthesize complex issues and translate them into clear, compelling communications for different audiences and channels.
Strong understanding of social media as an executive thought leadership and reputation-building channel.
Proactive, exceptionally organized and intellectually curious, with the ability to work directly with senior leaders and execute with minimal hand-holding.

Nice To Haves

Healthcare experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Partner with the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer to develop and evolve thought leadership strategies for executive team members.
Translate organizational priorities, healthcare trends and executive perspectives into clear, differentiated thought leadership platforms.
Develop executive speeches, presentations, keynote remarks, talking points, panel and fireside-chat preparation, social content, employee communications and strategic briefings.
Capture senior executives’ individual voices and perspectives while connecting their communications to broader enterprise priorities.
Identify timely opportunities for senior leaders to participate in important healthcare and industry conversations.
Partner with creative and communications colleagues to ensure executive content is polished, compelling and appropriate for its audience and channel.
Develop a coordinated approach to executive speaking engagements, conferences and other high-value external opportunities.
Identify and evaluate speaking opportunities based on audience, relevance, visibility and strategic value.
Maintain an integrated planning process and calendar so executive engagement opportunities are identified and developed well in advance.
As needed, help develop and coordinate an enterprise-wide speakers program, including identifying organizational experts, priority topics and high-value speaking opportunities.
Develop and support social media strategies for designated senior executives, including editorial planning and content development.
Connect executive social activity to speeches, conferences, enterprise priorities, industry developments and other thought leadership opportunities.
Monitor social media performance and refine approaches based on engagement, executive priorities and organizational goals.
Work with the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer on select strategic projects and high-priority initiatives from initial concept through execution.
Lead discrete projects requiring executive-level judgment, research, writing, problem-solving and cross-functional coordination.
Synthesize complex issues, develop recommendations and advance work with limited oversight.
Anticipate needs, identify opportunities and bring forward ideas proactively.
Manage multiple high-visibility priorities with discretion, urgency and exceptional attention to detail.