Communications Consultant IV - Media Relations

The Communications Consultant IV on the External Communications team is a trusted communications advisor who supports complex, high-impact initiatives spanning media relations, public affairs, executive communications, issues management, and reputation-building. This role supports the development and execution of strategic communications plans that advance organizational priorities, strengthen stakeholder trust, and increase visibility across member, consumer, business-to-business, and regulatory audiences. 

Partnering with cross-functional teams, business leaders, and spokespersons, the consultant develops compelling narratives, crafts strategic messaging, and executes integrated communications strategies through paid and earned media and stakeholder engagement. The role provides counsel on proactive and reactive communications, supports public affairs initiatives, helps navigate sensitive issues, and identifies opportunities to enhance organizational reputation. 

The successful candidate combines strong media relations experience, strategic thinking, exceptional writing skills, and sound judgment. They are adept at translating complex topics into clear, compelling stories and owned campaigns, influencing stakeholders, and driving communications initiatives in a dynamic, highly visible, and increasingly complex public affairs environment. 

This individual contributor is primarily responsible for developing strategic communication plans and ensuring successful implementation of communication efforts. This position develops communications, manages projects or project components, and conducts communication activities.

• Practices self-development and promotes learning in others by proactively providing information, resources, advice, and expertise with coworkers and customers; building relationships with cross-functional stakeholders; influencing others through technical explanations and examples; adapting to competing demands and new responsibilities; listening and responding to, seeking, and addressing performance feedback; providing feedback to others; creating and executing plans to capitalize on strengths and develop weaknesses; supporting team collaboration; and adapting to and learning from change, difficulties, and feedback.
• Completes work assignments and supports business-specific projects by applying expertise in subject area; supporting the development of work plans to meet business priorities and deadlines; ensuring team follows all procedures and policies; coordinating resources to accomplish priorities and deadlines; collaborating cross-functionally to make effective business decisions; solving complex problems; escalating high priority issues or risks as appropriate; and recognizing and capitalizing on improvement opportunities.
• Ensures successful implementation of communication efforts by consulting with stakeholders on change management and implementation strategies; assessing effectiveness of communications and making modifications as necessary; monitoring key performance indicators and ongoing effectiveness of communications; and ensuring communication plans are implemented on time, on budget, and within agreed upon specifications.
• Develops communications by writing, editing, and producing complex content for KP communications programs and projects; proofreading and coordinating production of communications materials; ensuring final placement and distribution of materials; updating content on client-specific and internal/external channels; and ensuring content is consistent with the Kaiser Permanente brand and editorial guidelines in terms of tone, manner, and messaging.
• Manages projects or project components by coordinating stakeholder contacts; recommending or assigning team resources based on project needs and team member strengths; consulting in the development, analysis, and management of project plans; and coordinating project schedules and resource forecasts.
• Conducts communication activities by providing support to internal and/or external stakeholders; managing and maintaining vendor relationships; defining and communicating the KP brand to ensure positive reputation and recognition; ensuring communications align with KP standards; and ensuring communication activities and performance metrics are documented and tracked.
• Develops strategic communication plans by consulting with clients and stakeholders to identify business objectives, key performance indicators, and communication requirements; gathering and analyzing data and information; obtaining input and resources to fulfill communication plan objectives; ensuring plans are aligned with the organizational strategy; coordinating project schedules; providing input into budget; identifying and leveraging appropriate audiences and channels; and providing strategic support on a variety of organizational initiatives.