Program Manager, Communications & PR

Start the day excited to make a difference…end the day knowing you did.  Come join our team.

Job Summary:

The Manager of Communications & Public Relations plays a critical role in advancing the healthcare system’s mission, reputation, and strategic priorities through high-impact internal and external communications. This role leads media relations and PR execution, supports executive communications, and elevates the organization’s visibility across clinical, operational, and community-focused initiatives.

Working closely with senior leadership, clinical leaders, internal stakeholders, and external agency partners, the Manager ensures consistent, accurate, and compelling messaging that reflects the organization’s commitment to patient care, quality, safety, and community trust. The ideal candidate is a strategic communicator with strong healthcare experience, excellent writing skills, and the ability to manage complex projects in a highly regulated environment.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

Media Relations & Public Relations

• Serve as the primary liaison with external PR agencies, overseeing agency-led outreach to ensure alignment with organizational strategy, messaging, and priorities

• Lead the development, review, and execution of press releases, media statements, and announcements related to clinical programs, quality outcomes, leadership updates, and organizational milestones

• Build and maintain relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets, including healthcare trade publications

• Track media coverage, maintain media lists, and report on earned media performance and trends

• Support proactive storytelling to highlight patient care excellence, innovation, workforce achievements, and community impact

Team Leadership

• Builds and leads a superior team by selecting, developing, and evaluating personnel to ensure the efficient operation of the Communication and Public Relations function/process.

Executive & Leadership Communications

• Draft and refine executive talking points, briefing materials, speeches, presentations, and Q&A documents for public appearances and media engagements

• Support executives and clinical leaders in preparation for interviews, panels, conferences, and community events

• Provide strategic counsel to senior leaders on communications approach, messaging, and stakeholder considerations

Crisis & Issues Management

• Support the development and execution of crisis communications plans in coordination with legal, compliance, and clinical leadership

• Assist with timely, accurate, and compassionate communications during sensitive or high-impact situations

• Monitor emerging issues and support leadership with messaging recommendations and response strategies

Events, Conferences & Community Engagement

• Coordinate communications support for executive participation in conferences, panels, and external events

• Draft abstracts, manage speaking submissions, and track event-related deliverables and deadlines

• Support PR outreach and media coordination for major organizational events, community initiatives, and key announcements

• Maintain an event and speaking engagement tracker visible to leadership

Operations, Analytics & Reporting

• Manage communications timelines, workflows, and publishing calendars using project management tools (e.g., Asana)

• Monitor and analyze communications outcomes across media, PR, and events

• Prepare regular performance reports and dashboards to measure effectiveness and inform continuous improvement

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field preferred

• Minimum of five years of progressive experience in communications, public relations, or media relations; healthcare or mission-driven organization experience required.

• Minimum of two years supervisory experience, required.

• Proven ability to write, edit, and tailor content for diverse audiences, including press releases, executive communications, talking points, speeches, announcements, digital content, and thought leadership

• Demonstrated success in media relations, including pitching stories, securing earned media, and managing reporter relationships

• Experience supporting or leading crisis communications, including rapid response, message coordination, and executive advisement

• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and approvals in a fast-paced healthcare environment

• Collaborative, detail-oriented, and comfortable working across departments such as clinical operations, HR, legal, compliance, and executive leadership

• Knowledge of healthcare systems, patient-facing services, regulatory considerations (e.g., HIPAA), and community health issues preferred

As an EOE/AA employer, the organization will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status.

‎
Required

Physical Requirements: Constant (67-100% of workday) sitting and use of arms and hands; occasional (0-33% of workday) standing, walking, bending, squatting; ability to lift, push, and pull up to 10 lbs.; auditory and visual skills.

Mental Requirements: Possesses critical thinking and analytical skills.  Ability to multi-task.  Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team. 

Environmental Requirements and Exposure Hazards: Potential risk of exposure to chemicals. 

“It is the policy of Mary Washington Healthcare to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability who are applicants for employment or Associates.”

‎