Senior Communications Specialist

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The UnitedHealthcare Community and State national external communications team has an immediate need for a senior communications specialist. The role will be dedicated to supporting strategic development and execution of proactive and reactive reputation/community plans for UnitedHealthcare Community & State; creating and socializing UHC and business-segment value stories with key local stakeholders; and supporting creation and implementing UHC C&S communications initiatives and programs. The role will also support statewide health plans as point of contact for member and local issues management.

Key to this role is an individual with strong capabilities in integrated strategic communications, and brand and reputation building. The senior communications specialist will collaborate closely with C&S national marketing on integrated programs and content. Also, collaboration with UHG and UHC government affairs, social responsibility and other functional team members will play an important role in building, protecting and strengthening the credibility and amplifying the mission of the company among various external stakeholders. This position will be responsible for driving media results that reflect the UHC and UHG brand and support local and national initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities:

In collaboration with the external communications team, support and drive proactive and reactive communications for UnitedHealthcare Community & State community plans:

• Act as point of contact for community plan team on communications requests and inquiries.
• Support and implement communications initiatives with goals, objectives, strategies, and priorities for community plans. 
• Develop communications including – but not limited to – news releases, talking points, articles – to promote community plans partnerships, news and initiatives and ensure alignment with overall UHC/UHG messaging. 
• Partner with marketing and business teams to support local event participation, managing UnitedHealthcare community engagement to build brand and reputation. 
• Promote executive visibility to ensure leaders participate in events aligned with key strategic objectives and interests in the markets, and support appropriate external engagement including boards, panels and other speaking opportunities.

Socialize UnitedHealthcare Community & State value stories with external and internal stakeholders.

• Coordinate with UHC teams and community-based partners to ensure all messaging and content is current, aligned with company mission and approved for external use. 
• Leverage stories and initiatives from community plans to share on owned UHC/UHG channels, including internal news channels, social media and blog.

Support UnitedHealthcare Community & State communications national initiatives and programs.

• Partner with external communications team and other internal stakeholders in driving execution of programs. 
• Act as team lead for key weekly/monthly reports that are shared with enterprise leadership and key stakeholders. 
• Work with agency partners for local on-ground media and communications support

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• 4+ years’ experience working in external communications, public relations, public affairs is required 
• Experience working at a public relations agency or for state government 
• Knowledge of current and emerging trends in the communications and mass media industries (e.g., new media, analytics) and experience developing and executing external communications, community and corporate visibility communications plans, including key messages, talking points, FAQs and statements 
• Proven track record of developing, pitching to and placing stories in local print, broadcast and online media 
• Experience building relationships with external partners; relationships within the state market 
• Strong written and verbal skills, including experience writing executive-level communications, talking points, bylined articles, etc. 
• Knowledge of AP Style 
• Experience working in health care or with or for a large publicly-traded company 
• Ability to work with and interact with multiple business teams 
• Interest to work as part of a cross-functional team within integrated, national and Communications teams 
• Must be able to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously 
• Computer literacy (Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) 
• Ability to travel (domestically) 5% post-COVID-19 
• You will be asked to perform this role in an office setting or other company location.
• Employees are required to screen for symptoms using the ProtectWell mobile app, Interactive Voice Response (i.e., entering your symptoms via phone system) or a similar UnitedHealth Group-approved symptom screener prior to entering the work site each day, in order to keep our work sites safe. Employees must comply with any state and local masking orders. In addition, when in a UnitedHealth Group building, employees are expected to wear a mask in areas where physical distancing cannot be attained.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree or relevant equivalent experience 
• Healthcare experience 
• Experience working with an integrated communications team