Senior Director, Media Relations

Senior Director, Media Relations

The people of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) are united by a singular mission: ending cancer for life. Our specialized care teams provide personalized, compassionate, expert care to patients of all ages. Informed by basic research done at our Sloan Kettering Institute, scientists across MSK collaborate to conduct innovative translational and clinical research that is driving a revolution in our understanding of cancer as a disease and improving the ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat it. MSK is dedicated to training the next generation of scientists and clinicians, who go on to pursue?our mission?at MSK and around the globe. One of the worlds most respected comprehensive centers devoted exclusively to cancer, we have been recognized as one of the top two cancer hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report for more than 30 years.

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Rare and exciting opportunity to join MSK! As Senior Director, Media Relations you will be responsible for managing the reputation and image of the organization with external media constituencies. This includes the development and activation of MSK's media relations strategy, policies, and setting priorities.

Additionally, you will serve as the leader of MSK's media relations team, and be responsible for the development and activation of external communication strategies for all of Memorial Hospital and Sloan Kettering Institute and the large business and patient care and research functions within.The Senior Director will serve as a key member of the leadership team, and act on behalf of the Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing & Communication Officer.

You will:

Strategic Communications Planning and Assessment

• Regularly interacts with executive-level management and leadership to create communications that support MSKs goals, priorities and areas of differentiation while ensuring alignment across all communications channels.
• Conceive and oversee implementation of communications strategies and messaging for a wide range of MSK programs and initiatives including top-level recruits, major new facility openings, novel programs and services, and new partnerships.
• Establish and share metrics that assess impact of MSKs media relations program, including key performance indicators and competitive analysis.

Media relations and Reputation Management and Crisis Communications

Lead MSKs media relations program; provide supervision and direction to members of the media team; set priorities for team members for identification of story ideas, proactive media efforts, and management of media interactions.

• Maintain excellent working relationships with MSK leadership, clinicians and research staff; serve as a trusted communications adviser.
• Utilizes in-depth knowledge of the media how the field is changing, new media channels and media influencers. Serve as a trusted source of accurate information about science, medicine and health policy topics.
• Learns and applies in-depth knowledge of MSK, institutional priorities, and confidential information to ensure that relevant information is shared appropriately and cross-functionally.
• Issues Counsel identify issues that could affect MSK and lead fact-finding and communications strategies that could be deployed quickly and easily.

Manage multiple, ongoing and highly visible public relations activities; oversees outside PR agencies and PR consultants; management of media relations budget.

• Develop crisis communication strategy and response. Serve in a leadership position in crisis communications and preparedness; and/or as liaison to the media in the event of a crisis.
• Have keen understanding of issues that could affect MSK, from policy changes, to regulations to media coverage of other competitors. Understand and anticipate how to MSK may play a role in these issues and prepare communications plans accordingly. This includes getting the attention of senior leadership on important or controversial issues in a timely manner.
• Direct and guide others in the development of external communications efforts aimed at supporting the MSK Brand.
• Oversee development of effective external communications materials, including communications plans, press releases, messaging documents and statements, as well as video assets.
• Ensure that all materials meet MSKs high standards for accuracy and alignment with brand guidelines.

Media Education and Training

• Establish strategy, goals and program to ensure that MSK leadership is well positioned to work with members of the media and able to convey their messages effectively.
• Prepare and coach physicians, executive leaders, for media interview and appearances.
• Plan and implement 5-10 formal media training sessions for specific MSK staff each year; identify and implement programs for wider audiences as well.
• Identify and manage outside consultants to conduct media training, including fiscal and budget oversight of such activities.

Oversees Public Relations and Policies and Procedures

• Develop and/or manage MSK and departmental policies related to media interactions, patient confidentiality, appropriate patient consent, use of name, and filming and photography at MSK locations.
• Advise MSK leadership as appropriate on external requests and/or endorsements; work with compliance and other internal departments to vet requests as appropriate.
• Ensure that media relations practices and policiesincluding those that involve filmingare well aligned with current guidance on protecting patient privacy (including requirements under HIPPA).
• Identify policy changes as needed.

Serve as spokesperson and on-call

• Available to work outside normal business hours and share on-call responsibilities to provide 24/7 access to reporters.
• Speaks on behalf of the organization as a whole and creates communications on behalf of MSK senior leaders for external and internal distribution.

You have:

• 10+ years experience managing an active and successful media relations program of an academic medical center or similar high-profile organization utilizing reputation management best practices.
• Proven success leading and mentoring teams.
• Experience in crisis communications, serving as institutional spokesperson, fostering excellent relationships with top-tier media.
• Understanding of the necessity and value of accuracy and attention to detail; ability to process information with high levels of accuracy.
• Knowledge of successful approaches, tools, and techniques for dealing with changes and adapting to a changing environment.
• Strong understanding of the technology and innovation trends, directions, major issues, regulatory considerations, and trendsetters; ability to apply this knowledge appropriately to diverse situations.

• Expertise in a variety of formats, styles, and techniques for developing and reviewing communications materials.

Please note this is a hybrid role and requires flexibility to be onsite at MSK facilities in NYC or elsewhere in our catchment area.

Are you ready to learn more about ourBenefits???

Pay Range: $190,500.00-$323,700.00??

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MSK is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruiting and employment. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran status or any other factor which cannot lawfully be used as a basis for an employment decision.

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