Program Director Executive Communications

Program Director, Executive Communications

Children's Health | Dallas, TX | Hybrid

Department: Marketing Communications (MarCom)

Reports To: EVP, Marketing & Communications

Work Arrangement: Hybrid - weekly in-person presence

ABOUT CHILDREN'S HEALTH

Children's Health is one of the largest and most respected pediatric health systems in the nation, serving children and families across North Texas and beyond. Our system-level Marketing and Communications team sits at the heart of how Children's Health presents itself to the world - protecting and advancing our reputation as a national leader in pediatric care, advocacy, and innovation.

This is an organization where your words carry real weight. Where the content you write shapes how physicians, families, policymakers, and community leaders understand the mission of children's healthcare. If that matters to you, you will find a home here.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We are looking for an exceptional Program Director, Executive Communications, to serve as the primary communications strategist and writer for our most senior leader. This is not a traditional corporate communications role - it is a high-trust, high-visibility partnership with executive leadership that demands both craft and strategic instinct.

You will be the primary voice behind our CEO - crafting the messages, speeches, board communications, and thought-leadership content that define how our organization presents itself at the highest levels. Your work will be read by boards, physicians, community leaders, and national healthcare audiences.

The role reports directly to our EVP of Marketing & Communications and works in close collaboration with the Vice President of Communications and the Dallas market president. You will be embedded in a high-performing MarCom team that spans thought leadership, executive communications, social media, reputation management, and specialty marketing.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Executive Voice & Content Development

• Serve as the primary writer and communications strategist for the CEO - capturing their voice, tone, and messaging style with precision and authenticity
• Develop talking points, board memos, recognition letters, presentation content, internal messages, and correspondence
• Manage a proactive executive communications calendar - anticipating communication needs ahead of key events, panels, and public appearances
• Prepare executive briefing materials and run-of-show documents for high-visibility engagements

Thought Leadership & Strategic Positioning

• Build and execute a comprehensive executive thought-leadership strategy in partnership with the VP of Communications
• Manage executive social media presence, content development, and digital community engagement to strengthen leader visibility
• Craft speeches, remarks, and award submissions for industry and community events
• Ensure all executive communications are integrated with brand voice and system-wide priorities

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with the Office of the CEO, Foundation, Government & Community Relations, Marketing, Digital, and Operations teams
• Support the issues management and crisis communications team as needed
• Cultivate relationships with clinical and operational leaders across the enterprise to ensure accuracy and strategic alignment
• Over time, may expand support to additional senior executives across the system

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

You bring 10 or more years of executive communications, speechwriting, or corporate communications experience - and you have spent meaningful time writing for someone at the top. You know what it means to get inside a leader's voice, to protect their credibility, and to communicate complexity without losing clarity.

You are not just a polished writer. You are a strategic thinker who understands business context, anticipates organizational needs, and operates with the kind of discretion and judgment that earns you a seat in the room.

Required Experience & Education

• 10 or more years in executive communications, speechwriting, or corporate communications
• Proven ability writing for senior executives - capturing authentic voice at scale
• Experience developing content for digital platforms including executive social media strategy
• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field

Required Skills & Competencies

• Strategic thinker - ability to translate business complexity into clear, compelling executive narrative
• Proactive by nature - anticipates communication needs before they become urgent
• Operates with discretion and sound judgment in a highly matrixed environment
• Excels at managing multiple stakeholders and competing guidance simultaneously
• Thick-skinned and collaborative - thrives with direct feedback from senior leadership

Preferred (Not Required)

• Healthcare experience is not required - comparable backgrounds in financial services, airlines, hospitality, or other highly regulated, audience-diverse environments are strongly considered
• Chief of Staff experience or executive content development background
• Graduate degree or advanced coursework in a related field
• Familiarity with digital analytics and social media insights platforms

WHY THIS ROLE

Direct Executive Access

You will have a direct, ongoing partnership with our CEO - an unusual level of access and trust for a communicator at any organization.

Mission That Matters

Children's Health exists to make life better for children. Every piece of content you create serves that mission - and candidates who are motivated by purpose thrive here.

Visibility & Growth

This role sits at the center of our MarCom ecosystem, with clear paths to expand your scope horizontally and vertically within the broader team.

ABOUT THE TEAM

You will be joining the Marketing Communications (MarCom) department - a system-level team that supports specialties, executive leadership, thought leadership, social media, and reputation management for one of the most recognized pediatric health systems in the country. The team operates at pace, with high standards and a genuine commitment to the work.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Once your application is received, candidates selected for consideration will be contacted directly by our Talent Acquisition Partner. At that time, you will be asked to submit two to three writing samples from prior roles prior to the initial interview - samples may include speeches, board communications, internal messages, op-eds, or similar content. No test prompt will be assigned; we evaluate your real work.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage strong candidates to apply promptly as this search is active.

As an equal opportunity employer, Children's Health does not discriminate against employees or applicants because of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, veteran or military status, disability, or genetic information or any other Federal or State legally protected status or class. This applies to all aspects of the employer-employee relationship including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, promotion, transfer pay, training, discipline, workforce adjustments, termination, employee benefits and any other employment-related activity.

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