Sr. Director, Public Relations

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Director of Public Relations (PR) will serve as a key architect of Alignment Health’s external communications strategy, overseeing a high-performing PR team that supports the company’s clinical, technological and operational objectives. Reporting to the VP of Communications, the Senior Director will be responsible for enhancing the company’s reputation as a leader in senior care and health care innovation through strategic media relations, narrative development and stakeholder engagement.

A critical part of this role is working cross-functionally to manage quarterly earnings reports, contribute to the corporate narrative and align external communications for key moments throughout the year. The ideal candidate will be a self-sufficient leader with expertise in crafting compelling, evidence-based communications for diverse audiences, including media, policymakers and health care professionals.

This position requires hands-on leadership, managing day-to-day PR activities with the ability to deliver measurable results, drive media outcomes and serve as a company spokesperson when needed. The Senior Director will work closely with other members of the Corporate Communications team to support social media, ESG and internal communications efforts, stepping into leadership roles in these areas as necessary.

GENERAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES (MAY INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO):

• Strategic Communications Leadership: Develop and execute an evidence-based PR strategy that advances the company’s mission to transform senior care through clinical and technological innovation. Create messaging frameworks that resonate with diverse stakeholders, from industry leaders to policymakers. Oversee all PR team operations, including media relations and press releases, ensuring consistent messaging across channels.
• Narrative Development: Lead the creation of high-impact communications that highlight the company’s clinical advancements, technological innovations and research outcomes. Synthesize clinical data, member success stories and industry trends into compelling narratives to position the company as a senior care thought leader.
• Editorial Oversight & Accountability: Ensure every communication from the PR team is meticulously edited for clarity, accuracy and alignment with the company’s broader strategic goals. Maintain high editorial standards across all channels while keeping a big-picture perspective to ensure messaging supports long-term objectives. Personally review and approve all PR communications, holding full accountability for the quality and effectiveness of PR efforts.
• Advanced Media Relations: Build and maintain relationships with national, health care and trade media. Develop media training for executives and subject matter experts to align messaging with strategic goals. Oversee the creation of core PR materials – fact sheets, bios, Q&As and messaging frameworks – and use media analytics to optimize outreach and earned media results.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Lead engagement with external stakeholders, including policymakers, health care associations, academic institutions and technology partners. Use strategic public affairs to shape conversations around senior care innovation and influence policies aligned with Alignment Health’s mission.
• Crisis and Issues Management: Implement crisis communication protocols to protect the company’s reputation in sensitive health care contexts. Anticipate and manage emerging regulatory issues, ensuring the company maintains transparency and integrity. Serve as the primary lead for external crisis communications, swiftly developing messaging and media responses.
• Data-Driven Insights: Use analytics, predictive modeling and performance metrics to refine PR strategies and evaluate campaign success. Translate clinical and operational data into measurable communications outcomes and lead continuous improvement initiatives using evidence-based practices.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Collaborate with leadership across clinical, technology, data science and legal teams to align PR efforts with organizational goals. Drive initiatives that connect communications to key areas like population health, AI in health care and value-based care models.
• Reputation & Thought Leadership: Position company leaders and innovators as thought leaders through strategic award submissions, speaking engagements, content creation and partnerships. Develop a long-term thought leadership strategy in health care innovation.
• Management & Mentorship: Mentor and lead a team of communications professionals, setting goals and providing feedback to support their growth and align their efforts with company priorities. Manage agency partners to ensure they meet expectations and contribute to the PR team’s success.
• Financial Planning: Manage the PR department’s budget, including vendor and subcontractor resources, ensuring efficient use of funds. Provide senior leadership with performance reports to track progress against objectives.
• Out-of-state travel may be required

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Oversees assigned staff. Responsibilities include: recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training employees; assigning workload; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; and coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees.

REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum Experience:

1. 10-12 years of progressive, strategic leadership experience that demonstrates accomplishments, knowledge, skills and abilities in mass communications disciplines, including public relations, public affairs, media relations, social media and crisis communications, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role in health care or other highly regulated industry.
2. Proven leadership and people management skills, with experience building, leading and retaining teams of corporate communications professionals in various geographic locations.
3. Expertise in crisis communications, especially within health care and senior care contexts, and managing media relations during complex health care challenges.
4. Comprehensive understanding of communications and how the various program components fit together to create an integrated strategy.
5. Exceptional written, visual, and verbal storytelling skills; adept at conveying complex ideas with clarity and precision.
6. Meticulous editing skills, ability to uphold brand guidelines and editorial standards (AP, APA, MLA).

Education:

1. Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field; a master’s degree in related field is preferred, with substantial evidence of continuing education in strategic communications, public policy or health care marketing.
2. Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• In-depth knowledge of health plans, health care systems and industry trends.
• Expertise in Microsoft Office 365 and presentation/spreadsheet software.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with both internal teams and external partners.
• Strong analytical mindset; capable of audience analysis, problem-solving and driving innovation.
• Skilled at balancing long-term strategy with short-term execution; thrives in dynamic environments.
• Proficiency in Spanish or another language is a plus.
• Willingness to travel as required.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL FUNCTIONS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
2. The employee frequently lifts and/or moves up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Pay Range: $160,000 - $180,000 annually.