Director - External Communications Indianapolis, Indiana

Director – External Communications

Location : Indianapolis, Indiana | Schedule : Full Time, Monday – Friday, 8 : 00 pm – 5 : 00 pm CT | Salary : $129,942.00 – $183,447.00 per year | Eligible for an annual bonus incentive

Benefits

Paid time off (PTO)

Various health insurance options & wellness plans

Retirement benefits including employer match plans

Long‑term & short‑term disability

Employee assistance programs (EAP)

Parental leave & adoption assistance

Tuition reimbursement

Ways to give back to your community

Benefit options and eligibility vary by position. Compensation varies based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, performance, location and salary range at the time of the offer.

The Role

As a seasoned communications leader, you will serve as the second‑in‑command to the Senior Director of External Communications for Ascension Indiana, representing the team in high‑level meetings with hospital presidents and service line leaders.

You will be responsible for leading a proactive, statewide external communications strategy that strengthens Ascension’s brand and reputation, supports business growth and advances public affairs priorities in Indiana, while coaching and guiding a high‑performing team. You will partner with our internal communications and marketing leaders in Indiana and support our market executives, helping to drive engaging and action‑oriented internal messaging. You will spearhead key owned media channels like the Ascension St. Vincent LinkedIn and Newsroom. You are both a strong program manager and an inspiring writer and communicator, comfortable working across a matrixed organization to deliver measurable results.

Responsibilities

Lead and guide the day‑to‑day execution of a cohesive external communications strategy and plan for Indiana that improves our market reputation, in coordination with other enterprise and local communication teams.

Directly manage Indiana External Communications team members, providing clear priorities, coaching and accountability to ensure high performance and alignment with the Ministry’s objectives.

Provide strategic communications counsel to support the rapidly evolving policy environment, ensuring aligned messaging in response to legislative and reputational challenges.

Provide external communications counsel and support to Ascension Indiana market leaders and other partner teams, stepping in for the Senior Director as needed.

Develop external communications content, campaigns and events that support our local business objectives and our brand.

Combine a big‑picture, strategic perspective with attention to detail, clarity and focus.

Ensure that communications reflect the Mission, Vision and Values of Ascension as a healing ministry of the Catholic Church.

Maintain flexible availability and responsiveness both during and outside of normal work hours as necessary.

Complexity Of Work

Requires excellent management, writing and project management skills, as well as critical thinking, strategic counseling and decisive judgment.

Ideally the candidate will also have knowledge of the evolving healthcare market, Ascension’s history and current initiatives, and communications practices and standards.

Must be able to work in a stressful, fast‑paced environment.

Education

Master’s degree preferred.

Work Experience

Ten plus years in an external communications management role, ideally with experience working in a healthcare provider system or similar services organization.

Experience with executive communications and counsel.

Familiarity with local issues management and state‑level legislative climate.

Adept at the rapid development of content in support of local business, market and organizational communications needs.

Experience developing clear KPIs and reporting out to multiple teams, including the senior director of external communications and senior executives.

Requirements

Education :

High school diploma equivalency with 5 years of applicable cumulative job‑specific experience, with 2 of those years in leadership / management; OR associate’s or bachelor’s degree with 3 years of applicable cumulative job‑specific experience, with 2 of those years in leadership / management.

Additional Preferences

Why Join Our Team

Ascension associates are key to our commitment of transforming healthcare and providing care to all, especially those most in need. Join us and help us drive impact through reimagining how we can deliver a people‑centered healthcare experience and creating the solutions to do it. Explore career opportunities across our ministry locations and within our corporate headquarters.

Ascension is a leading non‑profit, faith‑based national health system made up of over 134,000 associates and 2,600 sites of care, including more than 140 hospitals and 40 senior living communities in 19 states.

Our Mission, Vision and Values encompass everything we do at Ascension. Every associate is empowered to give back, volunteer and make a positive impact in their community. Ascension careers are more than jobs; they are opportunities to enhance your life and the lives of the people around you.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex / gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.

Pay Non-Discrimination Notice

Please note that Ascension will make an offer of employment only to individuals who have applied for a position using our official application. Be on alert for possible fraudulent offers of employment. Ascension will not solicit money or banking information from applicants.

E-Verify Statement

This employer participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Please click the E-Verify link below for more information.

Seniority level

Director

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing / Editing

Hospitals and Health Care

#J-18808-Ljbffr