Director of Public Relations

Description

Department: Public Relations 

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Direct Reports: Manager of Communications

FLSA Status: Exempt

Direct Reports: None

Safety Sensitive Position 

OSHA Risk Category: 2

Job Summary/Scope

The Director of Public Relations (DPR) is responsible for overseeing the Public Relations (PR) staff and directing the overall efforts of communications, public relations, governmental affairs, and public education regarding organ, tissue, and eye donation. Duties to include but not limited to: providing educational presentations at public events, serving as media liaison, writing press releases, coordinating communication related to public education, plans external and internal communication/education strategies, provides creative input on public service advertising, prepares annual Communication department budget, approves expenditures, and provides reports as needed for the CQI Council or Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Requirements

Essential Functions

     1. Responsible for the supervision of PR staff.

          a. Communicates job expectations, planning, monitoring, coaching, counseling, and appraising job results.  

          b. Monitors and approves staff time records and overtime requests, ensuring cost is within budget.

     2. Follow and enforce systems including Standard Operating Procedures. 

     3. Oversee programming for all aspects of community engagement, including but not limited to, minority education and inter-   faith outreach.  Provides data and reports on program activities, as well as analysis of community impact.

     4. Develop and facilitate governmental affairs relations, which include submitting yearly data to legislative committee(s) as required.

     5. Review and approve all printed and/or electronically published materials created on behalf of Southern Legacy of Life (SLL) for external consumption, prior to publication.

          a. Reviews internal publications, as requested.

     6. Collaborate with the Director of Philanthropy to coordinate efforts to maximize donation opportunities. 

     7. Serve as the primary media contact, ensuring all inquiries are addressed promptly and transparently.

     8. Develop, facilitate, and direct strategic marketing plans to promote positive public and professional perceptions of donation and transplantation through public education, special projects, and media relations.

          a. Oversee social media activities (web pages, accounts and sub-pages, and posts)

          b. Monitors, tracks, and reports on social data trends.

          c. Oversee activities of contract media and marketing service provider.  

     9. Foster a positive relationship with the Arkansas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to ensure continued cooperation regarding the donor registry.

     10. Monitor the donor registry online and DMV activity.  Provides reports on data to Leadership and Executive teams, and/or Board of Directors.

     11. Oversee Workplace Partnership program.  

     12. Direct all SLL media relations and policies.

     13. Develop and direct strategic communications for the organization, including but not limited to press releases and crisis communications plans.

Secondary Functions

     1. Oversee all inquiries pertaining to advertising, marketing, booth rentals, etc.

     2. Plan and publicize special events.

     3. Coordinate publicity for volunteer programs.

     4. Provide support for volunteer education efforts.

     5. Develop and maintain positive relationships with community organizations in the SLL service area and in professional organizations.

     6. Oversee the maintenance of appropriate records of public presentations and scheduling for SLL employees in the Communications department.

     7. Ensures that communication and relationships with donor families is professional, respectful, and empowering.

     8. Oversee all general public education activities of SLL.

     9. Develop strong relationships with outside resources as a referral source for donor families.

     10. Ability to practice with a high degree of autonomy in a self-directed manner, utilizing creative and critical thinking skills to problem solve and develop solutions.

Management Essential Functions

     1. Member of Directors Group participating in the development and implementation of organizational and strategic goals.

     2. Member of Leadership Team participating in the development of tactics to implement the strategic goals.

          a. Ensures implementation of strategic goals as they relate to the department.

     3. Responsible for preparing and monitoring departmental budget.

          a. Collaborates with Director of Finance regarding departmental fiscal responsibility.

          b. Ensures staff documentation completion and accuracy.    

     4. Responsible for oversight, compliance, and monitoring of contractual agreements under area of responsibility.

          a. Authorized to negotiate contractual terms and request competitive quotes in accordance with financial policies on behalf of the organization.

     5. Develops, tracks, and reports Key Performance Indicators (KPI), departmental Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) goals and monthly statistics utilizing techniques to test improvement efforts.

          a. Presents CQI departmental goals to CQI committee.

     6. Promotion of staff engagement including wellness initiatives.

     7. Presents departmental reports to Director’s Group, Leadership Team, and/or Board of Directors, as required.

     8. Expected to serve as spokesperson at public events as it relates to your area of responsibility. 

     9. Collaborates with the Quality Systems Department to ensure policies and practices follow Standard Operating Procedures and are in compliance with accreditation, certification and regulatory agencies.

          a. Responsible for writing, revising, editing and proofreading job descriptions, SOPs, and related departmental documents.

     10. Responsible for cooperative management with other managers at SLL to ensure that tasks and responsibilities of direct reports are completed timely and efficiently.

     11. Responsible for interviewing, hiring, orientation, counseling, discipline, and separation of direct report(s).

          a. Conducts annual evaluations, monitors professional development and annual competencies for direct report(s).

     12. With the approval of CEO serves on national committees.

Organizational Expectations

     1. Maintains regular and punctual attendance at assigned work location.

          a. Accurately document timekeeping records.

     2. Completes and maintains appropriate documentation in a timely and thorough manner including activities.  Examples includes: training documentation, mileage, expenses, electronic schedule of SLL events, and other forms.

     3. Exhibits and models SLL’s conduct standards, mission, and organizational clarity (core purpose, core values, business definition, and strategic anchors) in all job functions and interactions both internal and external to SLL.  

          a. Utilize the SLL strategic anchors: Creating a Culture of Donation, Financially Sound, Quality, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) during work activities and in the decision-making process.

     4. Attendance at staff meetings, training programs, and/or in-services meetings, as required.

     5. Demonstrates professional appearance, behavior and standards in all business dealings and interactions. 

     6. Demonstrates professional conduct and behavior reflective of SLL’s respect, honor, admiration, and reverence for the donor and donor family.

     7. Fosters effective relationships with client representatives. 

     8. Performs other duties as assigned.

Potential Risk Factors:

     1. Risk Exposure to Blood/Body Fluids:  While performing some essential functions of your position, you may be exposed to blood or body fluids.  Established procedures identify the appropriate personal protective measures that you should use when performing essential functions of your position.  The SLL Safety program will provide you with the appropriate procedures and guidelines in which you should perform the essential duties of your job.  If you need additional training or resources, please see your supervisor or the SLL Safety Officer.

     2. Physical Requirements: See Analysis of Work Demands section of this job description.

     3. Competency Evaluation:  Competency evaluations are required for this position.  Your supervisor will notify you when your evaluation is to be conducted.

     4. Training:  You may need additional training to better understand the performance requirements of your essential job functions.  Training classes are available and can be requested and/or assigned.  Your attendance at such classes is mandatory.

Work Environment

     1. Works in normal office environment.

     2. Occasional travel required by personal vehicle to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the position.   

     3. Required to carry a cellular telephone for business purposes.

     4. May require travel by commercial or chartered aircraft.

     5. Non-smoking office.

Work Hours

Occasional travel, some overnight.  Forty-hour workweek with occasional weekends, holidays, or evenings.

Minimum Job Requirements

     1. B.A. Journalism/Marketing or related field.

     2. Five (5) years’ experience in media and community relations, special events, and promotions, preferably with experience in health care setting and Four (4) years management experience.

     3. 2-3 years of governmental affairs preferred.

     4. Maintain a valid driver’s license, reliable automobile, and proof of automobile insurance.

     5. Proven written and oral communications skills.

     6. Proven media relations skills.

     7. Consistent demonstration of:  attention to detail, precision, accuracy, and customer satisfaction.

     8. Possess strong prioritization skills and the ability to effectively manage multiple projects and tasks.

     9. Ability to utilize general office equipment, software, and must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Security Requirements

This position is responsible for handling confidential records and ensuring that information is protected according to the recognized standards and regulations for maintaining patient records.