Communications Strategist

Erlanger Health System•Chattanooga, TN

13d

About The Position

The Communications Strategist is responsible for executing external communications and public relations initiatives that support Erlanger Health Systems brand visibility, media relationships, and public reputation. This individual plays a lead role in writing, editing, and coordinating the delivery of public-facing content while actively contributing to earned media opportunities and managing communications logistics. A key part of this role includes building trusted relationships across Erlanger's internal departments particularly with clinical, administrative, and service line leaders to gather insights, align messaging, and ensure timely collaboration. The Communications Manager must be highly organized, adaptable, and collaborative, with strong writing skills and the ability to manage external communications in a fast-paced healthcare environment. Erlanger Health System serves a vital role in both the regional healthcare landscape and the broader community conversation. With a reputation built on trust, clinical excellence, and service to the region, the systems communications infrastructure is essential to maintaining transparency, building credibility, and sharing its mission with the public. The Communications Manager supports this infrastructure by delivering strategic public relations and external communications that engage audiences, reinforce the brand, and protect Erlanger's reputation. This individual works closely with the Communications Director, internal stakeholders across the system, and external partners including Bridge Public Relations and Jarrard (crisis communications) to create, manage, and disseminate impactful public messaging.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field
3-5 years of professional experience in a communications or PR role
Strong writing, editing, and content development skills
Demonstrated experience in public/media relations and external messaging coordination

Nice To Haves

Experience in healthcare, nonprofit, or government communications
Familiarity with media monitoring platforms, editorial calendars, and agency collaboration
Knowledge of strategic PR practices and healthcare communications protocols

Responsibilities

Draft, edit, and distribute press releases, talking points, executive quotes, media statements, and press kits.
Support media interviews and public event preparation, coordinating across departments and spokespeople.
Monitor local, regional, and national media coverage and emerging public issues related to healthcare.
Collaborate with the Marketing and Creative teams to develop campaign-aligned messaging across service lines, community outreach efforts, and health education initiatives.
Produce compelling content for web, social, and public awareness platforms often repurposing key themes from service lines or strategic initiatives.
Coordinate logistics and communications for public-facing events and activations.
Liaise with Public Relations Partner to manage story pitching, earned media campaigns, and ongoing media outreach efforts.
Collaborate with Jarrard as needed during high-stakes or sensitive communications moments (e.g., crisis communications, issue response).
Track project deliverables, timelines, and campaign milestones across partners and stakeholders.
Draft external communications for Erlanger leadership, including remarks, scripts, press statements, and media Q&A documents.
Provide support and media training to service lines, Foundation teams, and department leaders in preparing for public-facing campaigns or announcements.
Represent the communications function during cross-functional planning or marketing efforts.
Establish and maintain trusted relationships across departments to serve as a go-to communications resource.
Identify key internal contacts (e.g., service line leaders, clinical directors, Foundation leadership) to streamline message development and campaign collaboration.
Stay attuned to internal developments that may require proactive messaging or communications support.