Communications Leader and Deputy Principal, Community Programs - Hybrid

Cigna•Saint Louis, MO

44d•Hybrid

About The Position

This newly created Community Programs Principal role is a strategic leadership opportunity designed to oversee the full spectrum of internal and external communications for The Cigna Group's Community Programs. In addition to leading communications, the role will serve as Deputy of the team, providing critical support in team operations, strategic planning, and leadership continuity. The successful candidate will be responsible for crafting compelling narratives, elevating brand visibility, and driving engagement across our company's philanthropic organization, The Cigna Group Foundation, as well as our Corporate & Employee Giving and Employee Volunteer programs. We are seeking a seasoned communications professional with a passion for purpose-driven work and the ability to lead with influence across a dynamic, mission-focused team.

Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in communications or related field.
At least 10+ years' experience in a corporate communications role or public relations agency or a related field that provided exposure to communications as well as business strategy and development.
Strong understanding of healthcare industry dynamics, community impact landscape and best practices, and employee engagement challenges, preferences, and opportunities.
Results and detail oriented with exceptional follow-up skills and metrics tracking and analysis, including strong proficiency in using excel and other project management tools that involve formulas and calculations.
Demonstrated proficiency in leveraging AI tools and platforms (e.g., Microsoft Copilot) to enhance decision-making, streamline workflows, and improve organizational outcomes.
Proficiency in content creation tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva).
Proven ability to communicate with clarity, confidence, and credibility across all levels of the organization, demonstrating sound judgment, professionalism, and executive presence in high-stakes environments.
Ability to manage and prioritize multiple requests, often containing sensitive information, in a fast-paced, highly matrixed work environment.
A positive attitude with a proactive approach to accomplishing objectives and inspiring colleagues to achieve goals, as well as pitching in to help the larger team work towards priorities, when needed.
Ability to work from a Cigna office 3 days a week as directed by the business. Target office locations include Bloomfield (CT), Philadelphia, St. Louis, NYC (Midtown), and D.C.
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.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a comprehensive, high-impact communications plan to reach, engage and inspire our audiences about the work our company is doing to improve the communities we serve through our philanthropic organization, The Cigna Group Foundation, and our corporate and employee community engagement pillars.
Stakeholders include non-profit partners, clients, current and prospective employees, and elected officials, among others.
Play an integral role in strategy research and development, as well as the annual planning process, presentations, and reports.
Write key messages, press releases, media advisories, social media content, and manage media outreach to support grantee announcements, local events, and other opportunities for amplification.
Own all content on our company's intranet, sharing compelling stories of our nonprofit grantee partners, our employee volunteerism programs and the impact we create.
Track internal and external media metrics, generating actionable insights to shape future strategies.
Collaborate with and represent our team in internal cross-functional meetings (Marketing, Government Affairs, HR, business units and additional orgs) to drive awareness and advocacy for our programs and events.
Lead the collation, review, and distribution of community content in publicly facing enterprise reports: annual report, state impact reports, corporate impact report; as well as internal documents.
Support the monitoring of progress on priorities and reporting outcomes through leadership of the monthly dashboard and budget meetings and deliverables.
Support the team and the Director, Community Programs in ensuring efficient and effective ways of working, such as team professional development, vendor evaluations and procurement processes, when applicable; and assisting with ad hoc requests submitted to our team for evaluation.