Blue Cross NC Foundation: Communications Director

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina•Durham, NC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Communications Director will lead the development and execution of an integrated communications strategy that strengthens the Foundation’s brand, elevates its impact, and advances long‑term narrative change. This role will shape how the Foundation communicates its mission, values, and insights to diverse audiences, including employees, community partners, grantees, policymakers, other foundations, and the public. The Communications Director will lead the development and execution of an integrated communications strategy that strengthens the Foundation’s brand, elevates its impact, and advances long‑term narrative change. This role will shape how the Foundation communicates its mission, values, and insights to diverse audiences, including employees, community partners, grantees, policymakers, other foundations, and the public. This is an individual contributor role. A strong communications function helps a corporate foundation achieve its philanthropic goals by: 1) Mission, Brand, and Impact Storytelling Clarify the Foundation’s purpose, values, and goals for key audiences. Amplify grantee and community impact through clear, community-centered storytelling. Crafts compelling, consistent messaging across all platforms, ensuring stories reflect the voices and lived experiences of communities most affected by the issues the Foundation seeks to address. Develop and distribute multi-channel content (web, social, reports, remarks) aligned to the strategy. 2) Narrative and Thought Leadership Position the Foundation and leaders as credible, values-based voices in priority issue areas. Develops and stewards a narrative change strategy that shifts perceptions, deepens understanding of systemic issues, and amplifies community‑centered solutions. Identifies the stories, messengers, and communication pathways that can influence mindsets and drive long‑term cultural change. Develop and steward narrative-change messaging, including executive remarks, op-eds, and sector insights. Manage vendors and partners supporting content creation and distribution. 3) Strategy Alignment and Operations Lead annual communications planning aligned to Foundation strategy, program cycles, and enterprise priorities. Serve as communications advisor and integrator / dot connector across Comms, Public Affairs, Marketing, Legal, and Program teams. Manage editorial calendar and content workflows to ensure consistency and timely delivery. 4) Stakeholder Engagement and Transparency Engage grantees, community partners, and internal stakeholders to strengthen relationships and surface feedback. Communicate funding priorities, decisions, and outcomes with clarity and transparency. Coordinate media and external storytelling opportunities in partnership with corporate communications. 5) Governance, Risk, and Learning Oversee publicly facing materials and digital presence (including the Foundation website) for quality and consistency. Lead issues management and message review to protect reputation and ensure risk alignment. Use learning and measurement to improve communication effectiveness and evolve strategy over time. Experience & Skills The Communications Director brings a blend of strategic communications expertise, cross functional leadership, and hands-on content development experience to elevate the Foundation’s voice and impact. This is an individual contributor role focused on leading through influence and cross-functional partnership. Key experience and skills include: Strategic Communications: Builds and executes integrated strategies that clarify mission, strengthen reputation, and support long-term narrative change. Executive Communications: Speeches, remarks, and talking points for senior leaders—clear, consistent, and values-aligned. Narrative & Thought Leadership: Crafts audience-centered messaging that elevates community voice and makes complex issues accessible. Content & Editorial: Runs editorial calendars and multi-channel storytelling (web, social, reports, multimedia). Partnership & Alignment: Connects Comms, Public Affairs, Marketing, Legal, and program teams; builds trust with grantees and community partners. Issues & Reputation: Leads risk-aware communications, message review, and response in moments of scrutiny.

Requirements

Strategic Communications: Builds and executes integrated strategies that clarify mission, strengthen reputation, and support long-term narrative change.
Executive Communications: Speeches, remarks, and talking points for senior leaders—clear, consistent, and values-aligned.
Narrative & Thought Leadership: Crafts audience-centered messaging that elevates community voice and makes complex issues accessible.
Content & Editorial: Runs editorial calendars and multi-channel storytelling (web, social, reports, multimedia).
Partnership & Alignment: Connects Comms, Public Affairs, Marketing, Legal, and program teams; builds trust with grantees and community partners.
Issues & Reputation: Leads risk-aware communications, message review, and response in moments of scrutiny.
Bachelor's degree or advanced degree (where required)
8+ years of experience in related field.
In lieu of degree, 10+ years of experience in related field.

Responsibilities

Mission, Brand, and Impact Storytelling Clarify the Foundation’s purpose, values, and goals for key audiences.
Amplify grantee and community impact through clear, community-centered storytelling.
Crafts compelling, consistent messaging across all platforms, ensuring stories reflect the voices and lived experiences of communities most affected by the issues the Foundation seeks to address.
Develop and distribute multi-channel content (web, social, reports, remarks) aligned to the strategy.
Narrative and Thought Leadership Position the Foundation and leaders as credible, values-based voices in priority issue areas.
Develops and stewards a narrative change strategy that shifts perceptions, deepens understanding of systemic issues, and amplifies community‑centered solutions.
Identifies the stories, messengers, and communication pathways that can influence mindsets and drive long‑term cultural change.
Develop and steward narrative-change messaging, including executive remarks, op-eds, and sector insights.
Manage vendors and partners supporting content creation and distribution.
Strategy Alignment and Operations Lead annual communications planning aligned to Foundation strategy, program cycles, and enterprise priorities.
Serve as communications advisor and integrator / dot connector across Comms, Public Affairs, Marketing, Legal, and Program teams.
Manage editorial calendar and content workflows to ensure consistency and timely delivery.
Stakeholder Engagement and Transparency Engage grantees, community partners, and internal stakeholders to strengthen relationships and surface feedback.
Communicate funding priorities, decisions, and outcomes with clarity and transparency.
Coordinate media and external storytelling opportunities in partnership with corporate communications.
Governance, Risk, and Learning Oversee publicly facing materials and digital presence (including the Foundation website) for quality and consistency.
Lead issues management and message review to protect reputation and ensure risk alignment.
Use learning and measurement to improve communication effectiveness and evolve strategy over time.