External Communications Manager I

Modivcare•Denver, CO

7d•$80,400 - $108,600

About The Position

This position is responsible for managing Modivcare's external communications function, with functional ownership of media relations, press materials, social media, and evergreen PR content for the corporate brand. Reporting to the Director, Corporate Communications, this role serves as the primary point of contact for media inquiries, proactively builds and maintains relationships with healthcare and business journalists, and executes the full lifecycle of earned media activity — from proactive pitching and press release drafting to reactive response and coverage tracking. This role partners cross-functionally to ensure consistency between external messaging and employee-facing communications and collaborates with marketing communications and government and public affairs on relevant external channel content.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field required.
Seven (7) plus years of experience in media relations, public relations, or external communications required.
Proven experience in media relations, public relations, or external communications, with a demonstrated track record of securing earned media coverage and managing journalist relationships in a corporate or agency environment.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft clear, accurate, and compelling press materials, statements, and social content across a range of formats and audiences.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams — including proactive media outreach, reactive inquiry response, and content production — with strong attention to detail and consistent follow-through.
Strong understanding of the earned media landscape, including how healthcare and business press operates, what drives coverage, and how to position corporate narratives effectively with relevant media outlets.
Familiarity with social media management practices for corporate channels, including content planning, publishing, community monitoring, and performance measurement.
Proven ability to build and maintain productive working relationships with external stakeholders, including journalists, agency partners, and industry contacts.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize competing demands and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, regulated environment.
Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive information, including pre-announcement materials, crisis-related content, and executive communications.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with content management systems, social media management platforms, and media monitoring tools.
Ability to navigate a complex, matrixed organization and collaborate effectively across functions, including legal, investor relations, human resources, and business unit communications teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a healthcare, healthcare services, or Medicaid managed care environment preferred.
Or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
Working knowledge of the healthcare services industry, including the regulatory and reputational dynamics of Medicaid-funded programs; experience in healthcare or Medicaid managed care preferred.

Responsibilities

Manages Modivcare's media relations program, serving as the primary corporate contact for inbound media inquiries and proactively pitching stories, commentary, and executive perspectives to healthcare, business, and trade press.
Develops and maintains relationships with journalists, editors, and reporters covering healthcare services and Medicaid managed care, building a durable network that supports earned media objectives.
Drafts, edits, and distributes press releases, media statements, op-eds, and letters to the editor, ensuring accuracy, message alignment, and adherence to brand voice and legal review requirements.
Owns the corporate library of evergreen PR content — including executive biographies, corporate fact sheets, boilerplate language, and approved talking points — maintaining currency and consistency across all external materials.
Creates corporate social media strategy, developing and executing a content calendar that reflects the company's external communications priorities, brand standards, and audience engagement goals, with support from external agency partners as applicable.
Develops strategy and supporting materials for tradeshows.
Monitors corporate social media channels and the broader media landscape for coverage, sentiment, and emerging narratives relevant to Modivcare, escalating issues through appropriate channels.
Coordinates the development of speaking opportunity materials — including speaker abstracts, presentation support content, and award submissions.
Partners with internal communications to ensure alignment between external messaging and employee-facing communications, particularly during significant announcements, organizational changes, or reputational events.
Collaborates with marketing communications on external channel content that intersects with the corporate website, ensuring that PR-driven content and brand-driven content are consistent and mutually reinforcing.
Collaborates with government and public affairs on external channel content that intersects with key policy priorities and milestones.
Measures and reports on earned media performance, social media engagement, and external channel effectiveness.
Supports crisis and incident response communications by preparing draft external statements, monitoring media activity, and coordinating timely distribution of approved materials.
May lead projects and perform other duties as assigned; occasional business travel may be required.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
Employer Paid Basic Life Insurance and AD&D
Voluntary Life Insurance (Employee/Spouse/Child)
Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Pre-Tax and Post --Tax Commuter and Parking Benefits
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with Company Match
Paid Time Off
Paid Parental Leave
Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
Tuition Reimbursement
Employee Discounts (retail, hotel, food, restaurants, car rental and much more!)