Senior Principal- Public Affairs

The Public Affairs Senior Principal serves as an enterprise leader responsible for the end‑to‑end external execution of high‑priority, issue‑based public affairs initiatives for The Cigna Group. This role advances key enterprise priorities focused on our health care consumers and patients as well as providing broader industry category reputational lift through public affairs planning, external engagement, and campaign delivery across government affairs, communications, marketing, investor relations, business partners, and others.

Operating as a senior extension of the Public Affairs leaders, and working in concert with an internal facing leader and PM, this role serves as the external implementer of the Public Affairs operating model, ensuring initiatives are completed flawlessly across multiple internal and consultant operations, demonstrate RoI, and are delivered on time and on budget. The position plays a critical role in shaping external perception, proactively managing reputational risk, and positioning the enterprise on priority initiatives.

The role is both execution‑oriented and strategic, with significant external‑facing responsibility and accountability for results.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Public Affairs Strategy

• Contribute to the design and execution of modern, integrated, issue‑based public affairs strategies aligned to enterprise priorities and reputational risk considerations.
• Translate business strategy, policy and media developments, and stakeholder insights into clear public affairs narratives and campaigns.
• Serve as a senior thought partner to Public Affairs co‑leads and enterprise leaders on external execution, sequencing, and risk mitigation.

Team Leadership & Campaign Execution

• Lead one or more cross‑functional teams, bringing together government affairs, communications, marketing, IR, legal, and business leaders to drive rapid, coordinated action.
• Maintain accountability for end‑to‑end delivery, including strategy, messaging, channel selection, execution, and measurement.
• Ensure campaigns leverage the appropriate mix of the public affairs toolkit (earned, paid, shared, research, third‑party, and influencer, and other approaches).
• Contribute to the evolution of the Public Affairs operating model, capabilities, and ways of working.

External Engagement & Representation

• Serve in a leadership role across external stakeholders, engaging directly with or coordinating external organizations, key audiences, and consultants.
• Represent The Cigna Group in high‑stakes external forums, briefings, and thought‑leadership opportunities.
• Strengthen industry reputation by cultivating and activating trusted external relationships.

Stakeholder & Risk Management

• Proactively identify and manage reputational, policy, and stakeholder risks tied to enterprise initiatives.
• Coordinate closely with government affairs, communications, marketing, investor relations, and legal partners to ensure alignment and avoid fragmented engagement.
• Lead with a patient and consumer point of view across public affairs work.
• Be comfortable with and adept at influencing internal partners and external stakeholders without explicit authority. 

Scope & Impact

• External scope with an internal understanding and strategic mindset.
• High degree of autonomy and judgment needed in ambiguous, fast‑moving, and externally visible situations.
• Decisions and actions have material impact on enterprise reputation, stakeholder trust, and business outcomes.

Qualifications & Experience

• Deep experience in public affairs, government affairs, corporate communications, political strategy, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated success leading enterprise‑level, issue‑based campaigns with significant external exposure.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, stakeholder communication and management skills.
• Experience operating in high‑risk, high‑visibility situations with sound judgment and discretion.

If you will be working at home occasionally or permanently, the internet connection must be obtained through a cable broadband or fiber optic internet service provider with speeds of at least 10Mbps download/5Mbps upload.

For this position, we anticipate offering an annual salary of 176,600 - 294,300 USD / yearly, depending on relevant factors, including experience and geographic location.

This role is also anticipated to be eligible to participate in an annual bonus and long term incentive plan.

At The Cigna Group, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive range o