Director, Public Relations

The Public Relations Director manages the flow of communication between Zelis and the media and manages the creation of marketing messages that positively raise the public image of Zelis. They work with the Brand and Content team, Marketing Leadership, and various subject matter experts within Zelis to create and control the public narrative around the Zelis brand, ensuring that content is consistent, well-timed, and newsworthy. The director builds and fosters relationships with reporters and influencers across traditional and online media channels and manages our PR agency relationship on both development and execution of innovative media strategies as well as budget and planning. They establish and implement strategic communications plans, develop, write and/or approve messaging for press releases and media pitches, executive talking points, media statements, bylines, op-eds, and more. They measure the results of the program with KPIs that are shared transparently to internal stakeholders. You may also draft and/or review client and investor communications.

Other responsibilities include positioning company leaders and clients as subject matter experts with third-party media for articles/bylines/speaking engagements, monitoring and reporting on media coverage and reach, organizing media briefings, managing external crisis communications, pursuing, and securing award/industry recognition, and leading executive media coaching. This person may also serve as an official company spokesperson.

The Expectations

• Public relations strategy – Define the Zelis media relations objectives and develop the media relations playbook (e.g., areas of focus, target publications and editors based on audience and reach); maintain an understanding of the evolving national and trade media landscape and respective audiences. Measure the results of the public relations program on a continuous basis with a set of KPIs.
• Spokesmanship – Advocate on behalf of Zelis across various media channels and vehicles; craft compelling media pitches to secure third-party coverage at national and trade publications.
• Agency management – Partner with and leverage PR agency to draft and publish compelling press releases, media pitches, speaking engagement pitches; manage budget and planning.
• Digital and social media monitoring – Use digital media to stay on top of cutting-edge strategies, key conversations, and competitive landscape. Understand public relations as it relates to organic search optimization and management.
• Communication skills – Strong speaking and writing skills are essential, conversant communicator with internal and external stakeholders.
• Interpersonal skills – Easily create and maintain relationships with people, including senior leaders and executives.
• Project management – Simultaneously manage multiple publicity projects with tight deadlines, driving projects and initiatives to successful completion. Seamlessly collaborate with Marketing Leadership and other stakeholders to ensure public relations is an integrated component of every major announcement.
• Technical skills – Be able to perform, consume, and synthesize primary and secondary research as well as submit press releases, award submissions, and work on PR-related platforms, such as Meltwater, Cision, LinkedIn, etc.

About You

• 7-10+ years of experience as a media relations lead, and/or other senior communications role dealing directly with the news media.
• Have a passion for telling brand stories to the public, being able to synthesize various data points into a cohesive story that interests and engages an audience.
• Highly refined written and oral communication and presentation skills.
• Collaborative style in a fast-paced environment, highly adaptable, and able to work with speed and agility under pressure.
• Healthcare and/or technology industry experience is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent demonstrated experience required; Master’s preferred.

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As a leading payments company in healthcare, we guide, price, explain, and pay for care on behalf of insurers and their members. We’re Zelis in our pursuit to align the interests of payers, providers, and consumers to deliver a better financial experience and more affordable, transparent care for all. We partner with more than 700 payers, including the top-5 national health plans, BCBS insurers, regional health plans, TPAs and self-insured employers, over 4 million providers, and 100 million members, enabling the healthcare industry to pay for care, with care. Zelis brings adaptive technology, a deeply ingrained service culture, and a comprehensive navigation through adjudication and payment platform to manage the complete payment process.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging 
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