Behavioral Health System Baltimore (BHSB) is seeking candidates for the position of Director, Communications, for a full time position in a hybrid work environment, in Baltimore, Maryland. Reporting to the Vice President (VP) of Policy and Communications, the Director, Communications works collaboratively across departments to develop and implement effective communications and advocacy strategies that align with BHSB’s vision, mission and goals. The position is part of the organization’s leadership team with responsibility for overseeing and implementing aspects of external and internal communications, marketing, and public relations for BHSB.

This position works within the Policy and Communications department, which uses advocacy and communications strategies to advance system change and best practices, advance policy reforms, and mobilize community action. The department manages external communications for BHSB, oversees government, provider, and community relations, and implements public education and advocacy campaigns to create positive change. BHSB participates on several coalitions and collaborates with a range of partners to advance policies that support behavioral health and wellness. The department has a dedicated provider relations contact to assist providers with getting information and support from BHSB.

Essential Functions

Strategic Leadership and Development

• Develop an external communications and marketing plan that expands BHSB’s presence in the community, promotes a positive image for the organization and promotes resilience and supports emotional health and wellness.
• Develop and implement internal communication strategies that helps to promote BHSB’s vision, mission, and values, connects BHSB staff with information and resources, and supports a culture of anti-racism and inclusion.
• Develop and implement a system to ensure regular data collection and analysis of key communications metrics; evaluate performance of BHSB’s communications strategies to ensure they achieve their intended outcomes.
• Collaborate across departments and teams at BHSB to support specific or programmatic communications goals.
• Provide direction and management to communications consultants including graphic design, website development, and public relations to meet communication objectives.
• Facilitate strategic partnerships with external partners to plan and execute events, including BHSB’s annual recovery month event for the public.

External Communications and Community Engagement

• Oversee BHSB’s external communication systems, platforms, and messaging, including the organization’s website, social media, quarterly newsletters, story bank, annual impact report, and print collateral and giveaways.
• Set the vision/theme for BHSB’s annual impact report, and oversee the content development, layout and design, photography and imagery, and report release.
• Responsible for copy editing all BHSB print and electronic collateral including e-newsletters, brochures, policy briefs, web content, press releases, and fact sheets.
• Ensure all content is accessible to a variety of audiences.
• Oversee and provide strategic direction for the development of design, messaging, and strategic implementation of public awareness campaigns, including campaigns promoting the 988 behavioral health helpline, key advocacy initiatives, prevention strategies, and harm reduction interventions.
• Provides brand management and oversight of all external facing communications, ensuring an anti-racist and inclusive lens, quality control, consistent messaging, and brand integrity.
• Draft competitive procurements for communications activities and public awareness campaigns, including defining the scope of work, eligibility requirements, project deliverables, and budget and supporting the identification of Review Committee members.
• Serve as point person for media inquiries and connect media with appropriate BHSB representatives.

Program Lead:

• Serve as the program lead for certain communications contracts:
  • Develop scope of work, deliverables, and budget for BHSB contract and participate in the contract workflow process
  • Regularly monitor and assess vendor performance and progress toward contract deliverables.
  • In collaboration with BHSB staff, provide support and guidance to vendor to ensure contract deliverables are met and within budget.
  • Collaborate with members of BHSB’s Accountability Team to support continuous quality improvement, as needed.

Other functions:

• Work effectively and collaboratively with others, both internally and externally.
• Uphold and operationalize the values of BHSB, which are Integrity, Equity, Innovation, Collaboration and Quality.
• Consistently work to apply a lens of equity, inclusion and anti-racism.
• Serve as part of BHSB’s disaster response team as needed, in any capacity that is needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in communications/marketing/public relations, public health, or other related field.
• 5+ years of experience leading organization-wide communications, both internal and external, and developing, executing, and managing strategic marketing/communication initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience in effectively managing both teams and projects to meet deliverables; ability to work effectively as both a manager and team member, with a high level of organization and self-direction.
• Ability to balance detail-oriented thinking with a big-picture vision.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure, trouble-shoot, and meet short- and long-term deadlines, sometimes with very little lead time.
• Strong writing skills, with ability to be attentive to nuances when drafting various communications materials and exceptionally high standards for quality control.
• Commitment to equity and anti-racism. Ability to apply an equity lens to all communications materials.
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders including service providers, consumers and community partners.
• Ability to interact in a virtual environment
• Effective computer skills. Proficient using Microsoft Office Suite Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint
• Fluency with various computer programs and software, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Teams), Google Analytics, Dropbox, and Email/Social Media Marketing software (e.g. Hootsuite, SproutSocial)
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and WordPress, preferred.
• Knowledge of behavioral health care, preferred.

Supervisory Requirements: This position supervises one position.

This role may require travel to other locations for meetings and other business-related needs. Ability to travel locally 50% of the time is required. It is important to have access to some form of transportation to travel to off-site meetings, conferences, and site visits.

COVID-19 considerations: BHSB receives federal funding for services and is therefore subject to Executive Order 14042. We require all new hires to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to a verifiable medical and religious exemptions which does not cause undue hardship in protecting those we serve and fellow employees.

Benefits

BHSB offers its employees a competitive benefits plan which includes comprehensive Medical and HRA, Dental and Vision coverage, as well as a choice of 4 FSA plans and an employee paid Legal benefit. BHSB offers employer paid life insurance, short-term and long-term disability as well as a 403(b) plan with employer contribution, generous PTO and 13 days paid holiday. Medical plan participants receive a $4,000/$8,000 debit card to cover eligible deductible and copay expenses, depending on chosen coverage.

Culture

BHSB is a nonprofit organization that provides leadership in advancing behavioral health and wellness. We advocate for and help guide innovative approaches to prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery to help build healthier individuals, stronger families and safer communities. We work to demonstrate cultural competence and a commitment to the infusion of equity and inclusion principles into all areas of our work.

BHSB respects and values diversity and is committed to creating a culture that is inclusive. BHSB is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. BHSB strives to embody Integrity, Equity, Innovation, Collaboration and Quality in all of our work. We work to demonstrate cultural competence and a commitment to the infusion of equity and inclusion principles into all areas of our work.

BHSB - About Us