Lead, External Communications

DaVita Kidney Care • Denver, CO

2d • $57,784 - $85,000

About The Position

The Enterprise Risk Lead helps protect and advance DaVita's reputation by managing communications projects and readiness processes for complex, high-visibility business matters. This externally focused role owns defined projects from planning through execution, develops clear materials for influential audiences, and coordinates with partners to keep work moving.

The ideal candidate has experience in issues communications, sound judgment, and disciplined project management. The role connects information across the business, makes well-reasoned recommendations, communicates progress clearly, and strengthens readiness through practical plans, tools, and process improvements. It requires independent work, cross-functional collaboration, persistence, and accuracy in fast-moving situations.

The position also supports reputation, media relations, and Corporate Affairs priorities as business needs evolve, including urgent needs outside standard business hours.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• At least 5 years of experience in communications, media relations, corporate affairs, or a related field, with a proven track record managing sensitive or high-visibility work.
• Proven media relations experience, including reporter engagement, interview preparation, and spokesperson training.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex information and tailor materials for different audiences.
• Strong project management skills, including setting priorities, managing timelines and dependencies, coordinating contributors, and communicating progress and results.
• Ability to build trusted partnerships, collaborate and negotiate across functions, and work through differing perspectives toward common goals.
• Sound judgment and analytical problem-solving skills, including the ability to evaluate multiple inputs, identify implications, and make well-reasoned recommendations.
• Initiative and a continuous-improvement mindset, including experience improving tools, processes, or ways of working.
• High accountability, resilience, and attention to detail; ability to work independently, navigate ambiguity, and respond effectively in high-pressure situations.

Responsibilities

• Manage communications projects and readiness processes for complex enterprise matters, delivering against defined goals, timelines, and stakeholder needs.
• Develop concise, audience-appropriate messaging and materials across external and internal channels, including statements, talking points, executive briefings, Q&A, and stakeholder communications.
• Assess business, policy, workforce, and reputational considerations; connect relevant themes and recommend practical communications approaches.
• Build cross-functional partnerships with Legal, Government Affairs, People Services, operations, and other teams to align priorities and coordinate execution.
• Create project plans, establish next steps, and communicate progress, risks, decisions, and results to stakeholders.
• Anticipate questions, emerging risks, and potential roadblocks; develop scenarios, response materials, and escalation plans, and recommend solutions.
• Monitor the external environment and synthesize qualitative and quantitative information into concise insights, implications, and recommended actions.
• Own and improve playbooks, trackers, message libraries, stakeholder maps, and other readiness resources; identify opportunities to improve processes at scale.
• Prioritize work across competing needs, track timelines and resources, and address gaps or deviations to keep projects moving.
• Prepare clear, well-reasoned recommendations for leaders and partners, considering implications beyond the immediate project.
• Share expertise and best practices with teammates, support effective delegation where appropriate, and contribute to a collaborative, high-accountability team culture.
• Manage proactive and responsive media relations, build reporter relationships, and prepare and train spokespeople for interviews.
• Support broader reputation, media relations, and Corporate Affairs priorities as business needs evolve, including urgent needs outside standard business hours.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) match
• Paid time off and PTO cash out
• Family resources
• EAP counseling sessions
• Access to Headspace
• Backup child and elder care
• Maternity and paternity leave
• Professional development programs and on-demand virtual leadership and development courses

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior