Director Public Relations Media and Communications

Catholic Health•Melville, NY

6h•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Public Relations, Media & Communications is responsible for shaping, protecting, and elevating the reputation of St. Catherines and St. Charles Hospital within the hospital, the community, and beyond. This role leads strategic storytelling efforts that highlight patient experiences, physician expertise, and clinical excellence across earned media, social media, internal communications, and marketing platforms. The Director works closely with the PR/media specialist, Corporate Communications, including public relations, internal, and marketing teams to ensure alignment of messaging, brand voice, and organizational priorities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field (Master’s preferred).
Exceptional storytelling and writing skills.
Strong media relationships and proven success securing earned media coverage.
Experience managing crisis communications and sensitive issues.
Experience developing and executing internal communications strategies that engage employees and align with organizational priorities.
Deep understanding of social media strategy and content development.
Ability to collaborate across teams and influence senior stakeholders.
Knowledge of healthcare regulations, including HIPAA, as it relates to communications.
Strong understanding of complex and changing healthcare issues, especially related to the communities CH serves.
Ability to develop clear communication strategies, translate complex issues and topics into accessible language, and tailor messages for diverse audiences across multiple platforms.
Professional presence and expertise to build relationships and provide communications counsel to senior leaders and internal stakeholders.
Ability to thrive in a creative, fast-paced, collaborative environment that emphasizes excellence and teamwork.
Excellent organizational, project management, and time management skills with a strong ability to meet deadlines.
8–10+ years of progressive experience in public relations, media relations, or communications.
Healthcare or hospital experience strongly preferred.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary media contact for St. Catherines and St. Charles Hospital, proactively building and maintaining relationships with local, regional, and healthcare media outlets.
Develop and execute media strategies that enhance visibility, credibility, and trust.
Monitor media coverage and public sentiment; manage routine inquiries and emerging issues, coordinating responses with Corporate Communications.
Escalate sensitive or high-risk issues and support crisis communications efforts, in partnership with Corporate Communications and executive leadership.
Partner with local community relations colleague to leverage and promote campus and community events.
Identify, develop, and promote compelling patient and physician stories that reflect the mission and impact of both hospitals.
Partner with CH digital and communications teams to produce and contribute content for the intranet, social media, web, and other key consumer, employee, and provider channels.
Translate complex clinical topics into accessible, engaging content for public audiences.
Oversee content creation for press releases, feature stories, blogs, and digital channels.
In collaboration with the corporate digital marketing team, direct the social media strategy for both hospitals with a focus on engagement, growth, and brand reputation.
Partner with clinical teams to highlight patient journeys/testimonials, physician insights, and service line strengths.
Ensure content is timely, compliant (HIPAA), and aligned with brand standards.
Support local presidents with strategic internal communications.
Partner with internal communications to amplify key messages and foster employee engagement.
Help position physicians and leaders as thought leaders internally and externally.
Work closely with corporate public relations, marketing, and internal communications teams to align local initiatives with system-wide priorities.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including physicians, nursing leadership, service lines, community relations, foundation, and administration.
Participate in bi-weekly communications content meetings at corporate offices to collaborate on and share upcoming events, story ideas, and content recommendations.
Ensure compliance with Catholic Health brand and communications standards.
Manage one direct report: the public relations/media specialist.
Partner with Corporate Communications to track and analyze PR and media performance metrics for both hospitals, including impressions, engagement, and sentiment.
Provide regular reports and insights to leadership, with recommendations for continuous improvement.