Marketing job in Chicago, Illinois

Director, External Communications

Overview

For 22 years, Aspen Dental Management, Inc (ADMI) has been innovating and iterating on the dental support organization model. We’re an entrepreneurial-minded group that relentlessly pursues new ways to break down barriers in support of the dentists and 10,000 team members who care for the 1.8 million patients that come through the doors of Aspen Dental practices every year. We believe the culture and partnership cultivated amongst the practice owners, practice teams and ADMI support team powers our success and makes it virtually impossible to imitate what we do.

As a reflection of current needs and planned growth we are excited to offer the opportunity to join the Communications and Social Media team as Director, External Communications.

The Director, External Communications will contribute to the development and implementation of strategic communication initiatives that support more than 850 Aspen Dental-branded offices nationwide, and more than 45 WellNow Urgent Care offices in New York and Illinois, as well as new lines of business that have projections of a steep growth trajectory for all brands.

This individual will report into the SVP of Communications and Social Media, joining an integrated marketing team that is responsible for advertising (TV, print, radio; digital marketing); marketing technology development; external and internal communication; social media; creative and content development; insights, strategy and experience innovation.

The ideal candidate is both strategic and scrappy, knowing today is the day to make an impact. The candidate will develop and drive high-impact annual and programming plans while managing day-to-day media relations and agency management

Responsibilities

• Oversee the development of and implementation of a centralized external communications strategy that raises awareness of and builds the reputation of Aspen Dental and WellNow brands, including increasing understanding of the ADMI support business model
• Champion the Aspen Dental and WellNow employment brands as we continue to build an industry-leading recruitment marketing and communications function
• Work closely with the VP, Communications who oversees Internal Communications; and the Director, Social Media to ensure external activities are coordinated with broader business communications strategies and initiatives
• Partner with SVP of Comms. and Director of Social Media to actively manage the company’s online reviews strategy
• Oversee and direct media relations strategy, including development of story angles and content to secure a regular cadence of national, regional and local media coverage for Aspen Dental dentists/WellNow clinics, news, and the brand
• Serve as primary spokesperson on behalf of Aspen Dental practices and ADMI, as appropriate
• Manage day-to-day contact with public relations agency to provide strategic direction, facilitate earned coverage and provide strategic guidance
• Leverage existing relationships with local (CHI) and national outlets, as well as build strong working relationships with key media, including business, consumer healthcare, and industry trade outlets
• Maintains a deep understanding of the external market and healthcare industry with the ability to identify issues developing both internally and externally that have the potential to impact our reputation. Recommends and oversees implementation of communication strategies to anticipate and respond to issues.
• Help to secure media opportunities for the ADMI Executive Leadership Team and manage their participation in these events
• Partner with the SVP of Communications and Social Media in defining what success looks like for communications, including the development of measurements, timelines and monitoring
• Take ownership of building a strategy to highlight ADMI’s current social responsibility programs including, the Healthy Mouth Movement and also identifying new opportunities to increase the potential for National media coverage
• Build and grow relationships with key industry groups (Association of Dental Support Organizations, Dentists for Oral Health Innovation)
• Serve as a point of contact for communications during the management of an issue or crisis
• Manage incoming consumer and trade media inquiries in conjunction with the public relations agencies
• Leads communications strategy and execution for significant company business ventures, partnerships and M&A activity

Minimum Education and Experience

• 8-10 years of experience in public/media relations and perception/issues management (agency or large, multi-site retail experience a plus) high personal credibility with the media and with influencers and an extensive network with influencers, the media, regional and national press in consumer, business and trade press
• Successful track record in managing media relations in a fast-paced, changing culture is mandatory
• Results-oriented individual who is strong at getting into the details and delivering results under tight deadlines and high expectations
• Tech savvy individual who is innovative and understands channels through which stakeholders gather information, including a good understanding of new media and digital
• Proven ability to translate trends, opportunities, themes, insights and organizational needs into actionable plans
• Strong editing abilities and deep experience developing content strategy and bringing it to life
• Excellent writing, verbal communication and listening skills
• Demonstrated success in leveraging social media strategies to drive overall communications strategic objectives
• Excellent project management skills
• Strong team player who is highly collaborative and a hands-on doer
• Proven experience in developing timelines and budgets, and meeting those milestones
• B.A. or B.S. degree required, specialization in communications, journalism, public relations or related field preferred
• Knowledge of and familiarity with health care and retail trade and consumer media are pluses

About Aspen Dental Management, Inc. (ADMI)

Aspen Dental-branded practices are supported by ADMI, a dental support organization that provides non-clinical business support to licensed, independent dentists.

Available Locations