External Communications Director

Overview

In this role you will lead City of Hope's external communications and public relations for key stakeholder groups, shaping messaging and storytelling to boost brand awareness and reputation. You will advise senior leadership, drive integrated campaigns, and oversee the external communications portfolio including planning, budget, and performance measurement. You will partner with media, content teams, and agencies to ensure consistent, timely external positioning. This is a strategic, high-impact role in a mission-driven, collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead external communications and PR strategy for designated stakeholder groups
• Set messaging direction, thought leadership, and executive visibility
• Oversee annual and long-range planning, budget, and performance metrics
• Direct integrated channel and media strategy across traditional, social, and digital channels
• Approve story priorities and external positioning across channels
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and external agencies to execute campaigns

Key requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism or related field
• 8+ years in communications with at least 3 years in healthcare
• Experience in leadership roles (3+ years)
• Experience in academic medical centers or nonprofit hospitals

• strategic thinking
• stakeholder management
• excellent written and verbal communication
• external communications strategy
• media relations
• storytelling and messaging