Director of Communications & Public Relations

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Public Relations & Thought Leadership
   • Create and oversee public relations, and media relations strategies that create exposure and position Caron as a leader in the addiction treatment and behavioral healthcare industry.
   • Manage and execute thought leadership initiative in support of the Strategic Plan
   • Direct thought leadership strategy and activities related to organization’s CEO and other key executive leaders.
   • Oversee and manage related agency partners.
   • Oversee Caron webinars for professional referents and appropriate conferences.
   • Develop, implement and maintain appropriate metrics to measure the effectiveness of public & media relations, and thought leadership activities.
   • Effectively lead and manage public relations and communications staff
   • Develop and execute positions on addiction/substance abuse and behavioral health legislative, policy, and regulatory issues; advance Caron’s interests in collaboration with Board members, Caron staff, consultants, other relevant trade associations, interest groups, and outside policy makers.
2. Corporate Communications
   • Lead and oversee internal and external communications.
   • Develop corporate communication strategies that positively position the organization to its stakeholders
   • Create engaging communication pieces by utilizing a variety of tools and formats including video, audio and digital.
   • Apply best practices for communications to internal and external audiences; demonstrate differentiation from competitors.
   • Collaborate with leadership to determine the appropriate messaging, tone and call to action for communications.
   • Proactively identify communication opportunities
   • Keep abreast of industry and competitive news and trends.
   • Effectively lead and manage Communications staff.

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential function; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Physical Requirements:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Must be able to work extended hours and travel as needed.
2. Ability to ambulate throughout the campus and as necessary to perform job duties and functions.
3. Typing and data entry via computer keyboard and mouse
4. Sedentary work requiring sitting for sustained periods of time at a desk and computer
5. Requires close visual acuity with analyzing data and figures and viewing a computer terminal

Education/Experience/ Qualifications:

1. Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree in English, Public Relations, Communications, Public Administration/Affairs required
2. Minimum of 10 years of experience in both public relations– preferably in health care or nonprofit fields
3. Knowledge of congressional operations and experience interacting with congressional offices and committees is desired
4. Proven success in management of media relations and communication activities
5. Experience as corporate spokesperson preferred
6. If in recovery, at least 1 year of continuous sobriety

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Outstanding organizational, written and verbal communication skills
2. Good working knowledge of nonprofit and health care sections and an understanding of addiction industry
3. Strategic planning and thinking skills
4. Excellent knowledge of media relations – especially as it relates to specific health care and the confidentiality issues that may arise
5. Must be self-motivated and results oriented
6. Possess an understanding of business revenue objectives
7. Ability to work collaboratively and communicate with co-workers at all levels across the continuum
8. Strong knowledge of government relations, marketing and branding
9. Understanding of 12-Step philosophy a plus