Director, Executive Communications

Overview:

The Director, Executive Communications, is responsible for speechwriting and other written and oral communications in support of Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) senior executives for key internal and external audiences. The Director drives the development and execution of the most strategic messaging in the organization, demonstrating the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) System’s industry leadership in serving as a champion of the healthcare consumer. The Director works both independently and collaboratively and is a strong creative and critical thinker able to develop content geared to both general and target audiences in support of communications goals. The Director collaborates with other members of the Strategic Communications team to ensure consistent voice and messaging in both written and oral communications, as well as best-in-class visual presentations. He or she serves as a strategic communications adviser to senior executives, from the assessment of opportunities and engagements to the execution of presentations, speeches, talking points and written communications.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Identifies, researches, writes, produces and coordinates clear, vivid text for speeches, op-eds, talking points, presentations, essays, articles, video scripts, website copy, correspondence and other projects for senior executives. 
• Collaborates with design team on high-quality, differentiated visual presentations for senior executives. 
• Partners with the Executive Communications team leader in shaping and driving executive communications strategy and execution. 
• Monitors the healthcare, political, business industries through internal and external resources and generates ideas for content; conducts background research, interviews and literature reviews.
• Develops relationships with senior executives and other members of the organization to promote consistent messaging among audiences and support BCBSA and BCBS System goals. 
• Provides on-site support as needed for executive engagements. 
• Provides writing and editing support across the Strategic Communications function. 
• Performs any other duties or tasks as assigned or required.

Required Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in journalism, communications, social science, public relations or related field plus 8-10 years of communications/speechwriter experience. Background should include direct support of a prominent leader (senior executive/official) including extensive experience as an executive speechwriter. 
• Deep and broad understanding of the healthcare industry, healthcare system changes, health insurance and the Affordable Care Act. 
• Mastery of communication principles, methods, practices and techniques. 
• Mastery of communication strategies and superior creative skills. 
• Superior written and verbal communication skills including excellent writing, proofreading and editing abilities and command of grammar/punctuation, style and format. 
• Ability to craft a script that is personally and professionally representative of the speaker. 
• Demonstrated skill in strategy, planning and execution of organizational narrative. 
• Strong executive presence and attention to detail and accuracy. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to develop and sustain relationships at all levels of the organization. 
• Ability to grasp complex issues and translate them into easily understood concepts. 
• Proficiency in research and mining data for content. 
• Data-driven approach to communications and ability to measure using different tools and metrics. 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple simultaneous projects under strict timelines and within ambiguous, undefined, sometimes confidential circumstances.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Mastery of communication principles, methods, practices and techniques 
• Mastery of communication strategies and superior creative skills 
• Robust experience and understanding of business and corporate strategy 
• Superior written communications skills including excellent writing, proofreading and editing abilities and command of grammar/punctuation, style and format 
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to develop and sustain relationships at all levels of the organization, managing multiple stakeholders, team members and leadership initiatives 
• Ability to craft a script that is personally and professionally representative of the speaker 
• Demonstrated skill in strategy, planning and execution of organizational narrative 
• Strong executive presence and attention to detail and accuracy 
• Proficiency in research and mining data for content and ability to grasp complex issues and translate them into easily understood concepts