Vice President-Corporate Communications and Chief Communications Officer

The Opportunity

Our leaders shape strategic initiatives, develop passionate teams, and work to improve health outcomes. They advance our mission and exemplify excellence, compassion, teamwork and purpose in all that they do. Indiana University Health is seeking an individual who embodies these values to join our Chief Strategy Office in the role of Vice President – Corporate Communications and Chief Communications Officer. 

The Vice President – Corporate Communications and Chief Communications Officer leads a cross-functional team of communications professionals to develop and implement the overall communication strategy, aligned to the organization’s purpose and goals. This leader serves as strategic counsel to executives for crisis/issue management and other public exposures while overseeing the development and consistent implementation of messaging, and policies and practices across the system. The incumbent will leverage extensive experience in communications, in addition to substantial experience in brand, marketing, and stakeholder engagement. A visionary team leader and exceptional communicator, this leader will leverage a proven track record of leading teams to develop and implement successful communications strategies with integrated internal and external communications. Additionally, the Vice President is accountable for strengthening, planning, processing and owning the organization’s communications vision, strategy and roadmap. They will build an optimized communications discipline to ensure effective communication with ongoing partnerships that advance organizational objectives. 

This leader develops talent and fosters a high performing team that lives the organization’s values while anticipating and articulating risks and possible solutions with a people-first approach and driving clarity, urgency and action. They will drive positive change with a commitment to continuous improvement while guiding team members to thrive by leading with energy for innovation. 

The following key accountabilities outline the scope and impact of this leadership role:

Strategic Leadership

• Define and lead the health system’s communication strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational vision and strategic priorities.
• Serve as a core member of the Chief Strategy Office leadership team, contributing landscape insights and trends to inform enterprise-wide decision-making on communications including proactive storytelling and crisis and response.
• Integrate communication initiatives with goals for patient experience to drive system-wide impact.

Platform Management

• Lead initiatives to monitor and strengthen PR and reputation across external audiences. 
• Lead strategic cascading communications for internal rollouts of critical news and oversee fidelity to a decision-matrix when the organization has to respond to external headwinds and crises. 

Team Development & Operational Excellence

• Build, lead, and mentor a best-in-class, proactive, responsive, and customer-service oriented communications team, fostering a culture aligned with the IU Health Way.
• Oversee departmental budget, vendor relationships, and resource allocation to ensure operational efficiency and strategic alignment.
• Cultivate a high-performance environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Indiana University Health is unlike any other healthcare system and we're looking for team members who share the things that matter most to us. IU Health leaders play a crucial role in advancing the mission of our organization and inspiring teams to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients. As one of Indiana’s largest employers and the most comprehensive medical system in the state, our vision is to lead the transformation of healthcare through quality, innovation and education, and make Indiana one of the nation’s healthiest states.

Key Relationships

Reports to: Senior Vice President – Chief Strategy Officer

Direct Reports:

Director – Internal Communications

Director – Public Relations

Advisor – Communications

Advisor – Executive Communications

Key Relationships:

System Executive Team

Regional Marketing & Communications Leaders (matrixed reports)

Candidate Qualifications

Candidates for the position will be evaluated according to the following criteria and competencies.

Education And Experience

• Bachelor's Degree is required. Master's Degree is preferred. 
• Requires 15+ years of relevant experience. 
• Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalist, Marketing, Advertising, or a related field. 
• Extensive experience in leadership roles for communications teams. 
• Required experience in internal, external and executive communications. Additional leadership experience in marketing and brand is preferred.
• Requires experience working in a complex, matrixed organization. 
• Requires experience in highly regulated industries such as Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, or Financial Services; experience in the Healthcare industry is preferred.
• A demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and growth through relevant accreditations or certifications is preferred. Requires outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including experience in managing communication during crises. 

Characteristics And Capabilities

• Desire to lead through the organization’s mission, vision, and values. 
• Positive, inspiring, and energetic leader who demonstrates the highest standards of professionalism and performance.
• A proven leader who is an effective, creative, and visionary problem solver.
• Strong leadership presence, grit, and tenacity.
• Possesses the highest personal integrity and ethics. 
• Indiana University Health has nearly 40,000 team members, including more than 3,600 physicians and 1,200 advanced practice providers, and we’re home to the largest nursing network in Indiana with more than 9,000 nursing team members at over 800 sites of care.
• IU Health is ranked No. 1 in Indiana by U.S. News & World Report, Riley Children's Health is ranked among the top children's hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
• A unique partnership with the Indiana University School of Medicine – one of the nation’s largest medical schools – gives patients access to groundbreaking research and innovative treatments, and it offers team members access to the latest science and the very best training – advancing healthcare for all.
• With 15 hospitals, including seven with Magnet designation and eight with Pathways to Excellence designation, our team members are leading the way through excellence.
• At Indiana University Health, your personal and professional growth is a top priority. You will have access to many diverse opportunities to learn and develop in meaningful ways that matter most to you, such as advanced clinical training, leadership development, promotion opportunities and cross training development.
• Indiana University Health is invested in the lives of Hoosiers, leading the transformation of healthcare to make Indiana one of the nation’s healthiest states.