Director, Strategic Communications

Position Overview

The Director, Strategic Communications will play an integral role within Zelis’ Communications organization, making strategic decisions about the flow of external information during and after issues and crisis events. This individual contributor will be focused on protecting the company’s reputation and helping to architect rapid-response communication strategies for the media, government officials, regulatory agencies, and other external stakeholders.

In this role, you’ll act as an internal conductor and strategic partner, ensuring cross-functional alignment across the Zelis Operating Committee, Legal, Compliance, Legislative Affairs, Investor Relations, and other various functions. You’ll bring expertise and perspective on how to elevate the Zelis brand in meaningful and tactful ways, beyond traditional earned media. In partnership with the VP, Brand & PR, you’ll 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. At times, you may act as an official company spokesperson.

Your leadership in crisis and issues communications will help steer the narrative during critical moments, and you’ll directly influence Zelis’ future market reputation.

THE EXPECTATIONS

• Thoughtful communications leadership : Bring defined experience in issues and crisis management, understanding how to communicate externally at the right time, through the right channels and in a way that mitigates long-term damage. Understand how to work collaboratively and effectively in a cross-functional environment, anticipating risks, defining escalation paths, and orchestrating coordinated communications.
• Manages issues before they become crises : Monitor emerging threats (regulatory, legal, reputational) and craft proactive mitigation plans in coordination with the appropriate internal stakeholders and / or agency partners.
• Executive presence : Advise the Zelis Operating Committee and other senior leaders on strategic decisions. Bring a measured approach to enabling alignment and playing a proactive role in keeping stakeholders regularly informed.
• Industry engagement : Build and maintain relationships with key influencers, not just traditional media, to help elevate Zelis’ brand awareness in meaningful ways – both at the state and national level.
• Strong media relations : Bring deep expertise in media relations in high-pressure scenarios, understanding how to balance proactive and reactive communication strategies.
• Support crisis management planning : Play an active role in helping Zelis mature its playbooks and policies, while engaging directly in developing or executing tabletop exercises.
• Assessment of outcomes : Define clear metrics and post-incident reviews to measure response effectiveness and refine protocols.

ABOUT YOU :

Location and Workplace Flexibility

We have offices in Atlanta GA, Boston MA, Morristown NJ, Plano TX, St. Louis MO, St. Petersburg FL, and Hyderabad, India. We foster a hybrid and remote friendly culture, and all our employee's work locations are based on the needs of the position and determined by the Leadership team. In-office work and activities, if applicable, vary based on the work and team objectives in accordance with Company policies.

Base Salary Range

$139,000.00 - $186,000.00

At Zelis we are committed to providing fair and equitable compensation packages. The base salary range allows us to make an offer that considers multiple individualized factors, including experience, education, qualifications, as well as job-related and industry-related knowledge and skills, etc. Base pay is just one part of our Total Rewards package, which may also include discretionary bonus plans, commissions, or other incentives depending on the role.

Zelis’ full-time associates are eligible for a highly competitive benefits package as well, which demonstrates our commitment to our employees’ health, well-being, and financial protection. The US-based benefits include a 401k plan with employer match, flexible paid time off, holidays, parental leaves, life and disability insurance, and health benefits including medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.