Communications Consultant IV - Media Relations

Kaiser Permanente; Renton (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaiser Permanente in western Washington seeks a Communications Consultant IV on the External Communications team to advise on complex, high-impact initiatives spanning media relations, public affairs, executive communications, issues management, and reputation-building.

This role develops strategic communications plans, crafts compelling narratives, and executes integrated campaigns to advance organizational priorities, strengthen stakeholder trust, and increase visibility across member,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Humanities, Business, Social Science, or related field.
• Minimum five (5) years experience in communications, writing, marketing, or a directly related field.
• Minimum one (1) year experience in a leadership role with or without direct reports.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements communication plans with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Writes, edits, and produces complex content for KP communications programs.
• Manages project components and coordinates resources to meet deadlines.
• Advises on change management and measures effectiveness of communications.
• Ensures content aligns with Kaiser Permanente brand and guidelines.
• Cultivates relationships with vendors and external partners.
• Provides strategic counsel on proactive and reactive communications.

Skills

Ambiguity/Uncertainty Management

Attention to Detail

Communication

Critical Thinking

Cross-Group Collaboration

Decision Making

Dependability

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Drives Results

Facilitation Skills

Health Care Industry

Influencing Others

Integrity

Learning Agility

Organizational Savvy

Problem Solving

Teamwork

Topic-Specific Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Humanities, Business, Social Science, or related field

Job description

**Ideal candidate will reside in western Washington as this positon does go onsite from time to time to our Renton campus**

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.

Job Summary:

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.

Essential Responsibilities:

• 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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: (Core)

• Ambiguity/Uncertainty Management
• Attention to Detail
• Business Knowledge
• Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Cross-Group Collaboration
• Decision Making
• Dependability
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Support
• Drives Results
• Facilitation Skills
• Health Care Industry
• Influencing Others
• Integrity
• Learning Agility
• Organizational Savvy
• Problem Solving
• Short- and Long-term Learning & Recall
• Teamwork
• Topic-Specific Communication

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: (Functional)

• Acts with Compassion
• Business Planning
• Data Mining
• Delegation
• Negotiation
• Project Management
• Social Media
• Strategic Alignment
• Technical Communication
• Traditional and Digital Media
• Vendor Management
• Written Communication

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum one (1) year experience in a leadership role with or without direct reports.
• Bachelors degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Humanities, Business, Social Science, or related field and Minimum five (5) years experience in communications, writing, marketing, or a directly related field. Additional equivalent work experience in a directly related field may be substituted for the degree requirement.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two (2) years experience working in an organization with union represented employees.
• Three (3) years professional experience in the development of digital or multi-media content.