Community Engagement Director

The Director of Community Engagement is responsible for implementing and overseeing a comprehensive community engagement strategy at the state level for Advocate Health Care. This leadership role involves driving multi-site strategic initiatives to strengthen community relationships, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, and engaging key stakeholders to maximize impact. In addition to managing community outreach and engagement, the Director will work closely with various system leaders to execute key corporate and local initiatives, elevate leadership development, and guide strategic partnerships.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Proven experience in community engagement, strategic planning, and relationship management.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with senior leadership, board members, and external stakeholders.
• Understanding of healthcare systems, local government dynamics, and community needs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, leadership, and project management skills.
• Ability to develop persuasive arguments and present them coherently and effectively.
• Ability to present a positive image of the organization while always maintaining high integrity.

Key Responsibilities:

Identify area-wide community relations and engagement priorities; lead the development and execution of strategies that engage the local community, increase brand awareness, and strengthen Advocate Health Care’s presence within the region. Develops relationships with community partners and leaders to support growth, reputation, awareness, and organizational priorities and ensures that community engagement efforts are aligned with both organizational objectives and community needs.

In partnership with Corporate Social Responsibility, activate community sponsorships congruent with the needs/expectations of local communities; manage and execute local sponsorship strategies, ensuring they align with the organization’s strategic goals and enhance community involvement; identify sponsorship opportunities that strengthen relationships with local organizations and support Advocate’s priorities; place leaders in community based organization led leadership development programs and support their matriculation and future board placement.

Develop and execute strategies for engaging Advocate Health Care system leaders on community boards. Foster collaboration with top leaders to ensure alignment with organizational goals, while strengthening Advocate Health’s role as a strategic leader in the community.

Act as a key liaison between Advocate Health Care, Advocate Health Care Government Affairs Division and local government entities. Develop and maintain relationships with local officials, ensuring Advocate Health Care’s priorities and initiatives align with public policies, community needs, and governmental expectations.

Serve as a key liaison for hospital advisory councils and community advisory councils. Ensures that these councils are actively engaged in strategic discussions, feedback loops, and decision-making processes that enhance community impact and hospital relationships.

In addition, this position:

• Provides direction for community-based services and partnership initiatives with other Consumer and Social Impact Division departments, Strategy, and core market leadership.
• Identifies key corporations and businesses in each area and oversees the development and execution of plans to build relationships with them.
• Interacts with leadership across the Advocate Health Care market, including providers, to build support for and increase involvement in the enterprise's consumer and social impact agenda.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Level of Education: BS degree in health and human services or related area.

Years of Experience: At least five years of leadership experience in health care, community relations, community engagement, or community health.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSA)

• Ability to think strategically and operate in a matrixed environment.
• Ability to present a positive image of the organization while always maintaining high integrity.
• Ability to develop persuasive arguments and present them coherently and effectively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access) or similar products.
• Knowledgeable of the surrounding community and associated demographics of Advocates service areas

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position requires travel, therefore, will be exposed to weather and road conditions.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.
• Exposed to a typical office environment.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.