Director Public Relations and External Affairs

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska; Omaha (NE); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska is seeking a seasoned Communications leader to develop and manage external communications and public relations strategy. You will lead media relations, coordinate press releases, and align messaging with leadership, Brand, and government affairs to advance the organization's priorities.

In this role you will collaborate across departments, support the Foundation, and ensure timely, accurate communications that protect reputation while driving public trust

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field.
• Minimum six years of progressively responsible experience in public relations, external communications, media relations, or related field.
• Experience developing PR strategies, managing media relationships, and coordinating external communications.
• Experience partnering with senior leadership, cross-functional teams, and external agencies.
• Experience supporting government affairs, legislative communications, community relations, or nonprofit/Foundation initiatives preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and coordination of public relations strategy and calendar in partnership with leadership, Brand, and external agency partners.
• Serve as the primary owner of media relationships, cultivating relationships with journalists and outlets.
• Oversee development, review, and distribution of press releases, media statements, and external communications.
• Identify proactive media opportunities and messaging strategies to strengthen reputation and visibility.
• Lead and manage crisis communications with executive counsel and stakeholder coordination.
• Collaborate with Brand, Government Affairs, and Foundation to align external messaging with priorities.
• Manage PR calendar, external engagements, and coordination with external agencies.

Skills

Public relations

Media relations

External communications

Stakeholder engagement

Crisis communications

Strategic planning

Executive communications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field

Job description

At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska, we are a mission-driven organization dedicated to championing the health and well-being of our members and the communities we serve.

Our team is the power behind that promise. And, as the industry rapidly evolves and we seek ways to optimize business processes and customer experiences, there’s no greater time for forward-thinking professionals like you to join us in delivering on it! As a member of Team Blue, you’ll find purpose, opportunities and the support you need to build a meaningful career and make a powerful impact in our community.

This position is responsible for developing and managing the external communications and public relations strategy to strengthen brand reputation, increase visibility, and ensure consistent messaging across key audiences. This position serves as the primary point of contact for media relationships and partners with organizational leadership, Brand, Government Affairs, the Foundation, and external agency partners to develop and coordinate an annual public relations plan aligned with organizational priorities.

The role oversees media relations, press releases, public relations calendars, and external messaging while ensuring communication strategies support legislative initiatives, community engagement, and Foundation objectives. Working collaboratively across departments, this position plays a key role in supporting BCBSNE’s broader brand strategy without directly owning brand campaign development or execution.

Candidates applying to this position must live within driving distance of the Omaha, Nebraska metro. This position allows remote flexibility but will have 2-3 days per week in the office.

What You’ll Do

• Public Relations & External Communications
• Lead the development and coordination of public relations strategy and calendar in partnership with leadership, Brand, and external agency partners.
• Serve as the primary owner of media relationships, cultivating and maintaining relationships with journalists, media outlets, and other external stakeholders.
• Oversee the development, review, approval coordination, and distribution of press releases, media statements, announcements, and other external communications.
• Identify proactive media opportunities and develop messaging strategies that strengthen organizational reputation, visibility, and public trust.
• Lead and manage crisis communications, including response planning, executive counsel, stakeholder coordination, and timely, consistent messaging to protect organizational reputation and public trust.

Strategic Alignment & Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner with the Brand team and external agency to ensure public relations initiatives complement and reinforce the broader brand campaign and strategic messaging.
• Collaborate with Government Affairs and legislative leadership to align external communications with legislative priorities, public policy initiatives, and regulatory developments.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with state government stakeholders, serving as a communications partner to support effective engagement, information sharing, and alignment on organizational and public policy priorities.
• Support the Foundation by developing and coordinating communications that promote its mission, initiatives, community partnerships, and organizational impact.
• Work directly with leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure external messaging is consistent, timely, accurate, and aligned with business objectives.

Media Relations & Reputation Management

• Act as the primary media contact, coordinating inquiries, interviews, media opportunities, and responses in partnership with appropriate internal stakeholders.
• Develop proactive and responsive media strategies to communicate organizational priorities, achievements, and community contributions.
• Monitor media coverage, emerging issues, public sentiment, and industry developments to identify communication opportunities and potential reputational risks.
• Coordinate communications related to sensitive or high-profile issues, ensuring appropriate stakeholder involvement and consistent organizational messaging.

Communications Planning & Performance

• Manage the public relations calendar, including media releases, organizational announcements, Foundation initiatives, legislative communications, and other external engagement opportunities.
• Coordinate with external agency partners on public relations deliverables, timelines, messaging, and execution to ensure alignment with established objectives.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of public relations initiatives through media coverage, audience engagement, message reach, and other relevant performance measures.
• Recommend improvements to external communications processes, messaging, and strategies based on organizational priorities and communication outcomes.

To Be Considered For This Position, You Must Have

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field required.
• Minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience in public relations, external communications, media relations, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing public relations strategies, managing media relationships, and coordinating external communications initiatives.
• Experience partnering with senior leadership, cross-functional teams, and external communications or public relations agencies.
• Experience supporting government affairs, legislative communications, community relations, or nonprofit/Foundation initiatives preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted for this requirement.
• The ability to meet or exceed the attendance and timeliness requirements of their departments.
• The ability to work well in a team environment and be capable of building and maintaining positive relationships with other staff, departments, and customers.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and or ability required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned.

The Strongest Candidates For This Position Will Also Possess

• Established relationships with media representatives and/or state governmental stakeholders.
• Comprehensive knowledge of public relations principles, media relations, strategic communications, and reputation management.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience developing press releases, media statements, and executive-level messaging.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with media representatives, organizational leaders, external agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Strong strategic planning, project management, and organizational skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple communications initiatives and competing priorities.
• Sound judgment and discretion when managing sensitive information, media inquiries, and reputational issues.
• Ability to translate complex organizational, legislative, and industry topics into clear, compelling communications for external audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to influence outcomes and drive alignment across departments without direct reporting authority.

What We Offer You

Learn more about what makes BCBSNE such an exceptional place to work, including details about our comprehensive Total Rewards package, by visiting NebraskaBlue.com/Careers.

We strongly believe that diversity of experience, perspective and background will lead to a better workplace for our employees and a better product for our customers and members.

EEO Statement

BCBSNE is an Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action Employer, M/F/D/V. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact a Human Resources Representative at BCBSNE.