Director, Strategic Communications

Blue Shield of North Carolina•Durham, NC

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Communications Strategy and Executive Thought Leadership will spearhead and execute data-driven communications strategies serving enterprise-wide business objectives to drive sales growth and business demand in the core insurance group. This leader will oversee a high-performing, cross-functional team, including principal and managerial seasoned talent, to directly support the CEO’s Office and the Executive Leadership Team (ELT)’s external profiles to position the company for success in future, highly competitive industry acquisitions and investments. Serving as the AVP, Communications’ deputy, the successful candidate for this position will enhance long-term relationships and become a valued partner with senior leaders enterprise-wide and internal cross-department teams. This role requires a strategic, visionary leader with an ability to develop, oversee, and execute comprehensive marketing, communications, and corporate social responsibility plans driven by results-oriented solutions. The Director will also manage business and financial affairs related to the administration of the department. They need to be a champion for data modeling and reporting on department KPIs in conjunction with the strategic planning and performance (SPP) function. This self-starter will be able to navigate ambiguity with a high level of autonomy, while motivating and leading division-wide teams to operate as a One Team, world-class integrated CMCSR function. The Director, Strategic Communications is a senior leader within the Communications function, responsible for shaping enterprise narratives, strengthening organizational reputation, and creating the conditions for successful execution of the company’s most critical priorities. This role demands strong strategic judgment, disciplined thinking, and the ability to drive clarity, alignment, and momentum across a complex organization. Directors are communicators first—adept at operating across functions, anticipating organizational needs, and leading high‑stakes, high‑visibility work with confidence and precision. Partnering closely with business leaders, this role ensures communications do more than inform: they prepare stakeholders, build trust, and reinforce the organization’s purpose and credibility. The Director leads through change with composure and a forward‑looking mindset, supporting the continued evolution and impact of the Communications function.

Requirements

Established ability to develop and execute enterprise‑level communications strategies that align with business objectives and drive measurable organizational impact.
Proven experience advising senior leaders and managing high‑profile stakeholder engagements, including state and national audiences, on complex and sensitive issues.
Enterprise-level operational and analytical acumen, including oversight of agency partnerships, budgets, and performance metrics, with the ability to translate data and KPIs into strategic action.
Successful ability to lead, develop, and retain high‑performing teams, with a consistent focus on talent growth and leadership effectiveness.
Demonstrated expertise in public relations and media management, including proactive media engagement, issues response, and reputation management.
Proven ability to manage high‑stakes crisis situations in healthcare or regulated settings, including rapid response, stakeholder coordination, and executive counsel.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree required; 10+ years of relevant experience in strategic communications, public affairs, reputation management, or related fields.
Proven ability to navigate complex, fast‑paced environments and support senior‑level decision-making.
Established track record as a people leader with high standards, able to provide clarity, elevate performance and model the behaviors expected of a modern communications function.
Exceptional writing, messaging, and narrative development skills.
Demonstrated strength in cross-functional alignment, stakeholder influence, and integrated communications planning.
Experience in change communications, reputation management, or narrative conditioning strongly preferred.
Strong project management, organization, and operational execution abilities.

Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Leadership Develop and execute clear, compelling communications strategies that prepare stakeholders for enterprise decisions and reinforce trust in organizational direction.
Provide narrative leadership and contextual framing that helps audiences understand the “why” behind policies, products, and priorities.
Ensure all communications connect to enterprise strategy, market realities, affordability priorities, and organizational purpose.
Reputation, Risk & Environmental Conditioning Shape the internal and external environment to build trust, reinforce credibility, and reduce friction for business operations.
Anticipate areas of sensitivity or risk and proactively prepare messaging that support safe, confident rollout of key initiatives.
Translate policy, regulatory, and market insights into communications actions that strengthen the organization’s reputation and narrative authority.
Cross ‑ Divisional Alignment & Influence Connect dots, starting with our P&L teams, and across divisions, ensuring unified messaging and cohesive stakeholder preparation.
Serve as an integrator who brings clarity and alignment among Brand, Performance Marketing and Corporate Social Responsibility teams, P&Ls, Strategy, Customer Experience and Digital, Public Affairs, Healthcare Innovation and HR.
Ensure leaders have the right context, narratives, and materials to support consistent, enterprise‑aligned communication.
Operational Excellence & High ‑ Quality Delivery Lead multiple communications workstreams with discipline, timeliness, and accuracy.
Establish and maintain processes that support message discipline, predictable delivery, and clarity for stakeholders.
Drive continuous improvement in communications workflows, tools, and team readiness.
Leadership, Culture & Change Support Model professional maturity, clear thinking, proactive ownership, and modern communications judgment.
Operate with confidence through change and support the continued evolution of Communications as a strategic enterprise function.
Mentor others and elevate team capability, encouraging a mindset of curiosity, accountability, and integrated problem‑solving.

Benefits

The opportunity to work at the cutting edge of health care delivery with a team that’s deeply invested in the community
Work-life balance, flexibility, and the autonomy to do great work
Medical, dental, and vision coverage along with numerous health and wellness programs
Parental leave and support plus adoption and surrogacy assistance
Career development programs and tuition reimbursement for continued education
401k match including an annual company contribution

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