Sr. Director, CEO Communications

Reporting to the EVP of Communications & Corporate Affairs, the Senior Director of CEO Communications will be a seasoned communications specialist with deep experience leading CEO level communications programs and executive visibility platforms.  This role will serve as the single, accountable point of contact for all CEO communications and owns the strategy, agenda, prioritization, and coordination of CEO communications across internal and external audiences, ensuring clarity, consistency, and impact in support of enterprise priorities.

This role serves as the CEO’s primary communications partner and trusted advisor, providing strategic counsel, crafting compelling messaging aligned to business objectives and strategic imperatives, aligning with colleagues across Communications and Corporate Affairs.  The Senior Director is responsible for capturing the voice of the CEO and shaping a cohesive, forward-looking CEO communications strategy that strengthens the company’s reputation as an industry leader in kidney care, drives meaningful employee engagement, and advances business objectives.  This role will ensure relevant materials and vehicles are high-quality and effective, including internal employee engagement content, senior leader communications, strong positioning pieces, innovative social media content, and effective media messages. 

This position requires frequent interactions with the CEO, the CEO Office as well as Segment and Corporate Communications leads and other internal stakeholders; deep understanding of the business and how it relates to the CEO’s priorities and leadership style; and the ability to operate confidently in high-visibility, matrixed and fast-paced environments.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 CEO Communications Strategy and Agenda Ownership

• Own and deliver the CEO integrated communications strategy and forward-looking agenda across audiences, internal and external. Ensure clearly defined objectives, channels, timelines, and measures of success with select thought leadership opportunities and multi-channel activity with stakeholders included. 
• Define audience segmentation, messaging priorities, narrative arcs, and engagement cadence for CEO communications, proactively identifying moments that require CEO voice, visibility, or leadership.
• Ensure CEO communications are consistent and drive an enterprise narrative, business priorities, and strategic initiatives.  Build a strong relationship and understanding of the CEO’s style, voice, and preferences.
• Design and deliver an integrated and comprehensive internal CEO engagement strategy that drives employee interactions, strengthens employees’ belief in FME’s vision and values, and creates excitement at all levels of the company.

Trusted Advisor and CEO Partnership

• Serve as the CEO’s primary communications advisor, providing counsel on message framing, tone, risk, timing, and audience impact.
• Establish and maintain a close, high-trust working relationship with the CEO, grounded in discretion, sound judgment, and independent counsel.
• Act as the central intake and decision-maker for CEO communications requests, balancing priorities and ensuring focus on highest-impact opportunities.

Voice, Messaging, and Content Development

• Capture, refine, and evolve the CEO’s distinct voice across formats and channels, ensuring authenticity, clarity, and consistency.
• Develop and oversee strategic CEO communications materials from inception to finished product, including keynote speeches, internal and external presentations, video scripts, talking points, briefing documents to prepare for engagements, Q&As, social media content, and other business communications.  Manage appropriate cross-functional reviews.
• Simplify and translate complex business objectives, performance, transformation efforts, and industry trends into compelling, accessible communications tailored to specific audiences.

Ambiguity Management and Adaptability

• Operate effectively in dynamic, ambiguous environments characterized by shifting priorities, incomplete information, and changing external conditions.
• Rapidly recalibrate messaging and approach as circumstances evolve, while maintaining narrative coherence, credibility, and confidence.

Media Relations and Executive Visibility

• Lead and shape the CEO’s media and visibility strategy, with direct responsibility for CEO media relations, thought leadership engagements and public appearances.  This includes engagement preparation and staffing, and message development, as well as providing real-time counsel as needed.
• Partner closely with Media Relation