Lead, External Communications

Total Renal Care; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

DaVita is seeking an Enterprise Risk Lead to manage communications projects and readiness processes for high-visibility matters. You will develop audience-focused messaging, coordinate with Legal, Government Affairs and operations, and drive timely, effective communication across channels.

The role requires strong writing, media relations, and project-management skills, with the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and guide stakeholders through complex scenarios.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in communications, media relations or corporate affairs.
• Proven media relations experience, including reporter engagement and spokesperson training.
• Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills.
• Strong project management with timelines and dependencies.
• Ability to build cross-functional partnerships and negotiate across functions.
• Sound judgment with analytical problem-solving.
• Initiative and continuous-improvement mindset.
• High accountability with attention to detail under pressure.

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 strong cross-functional partnerships with Legal, Government Affairs, People Services, operations and other teams to align priorities and drive coordinated execution.
• Create project plans, establish next steps and consistently 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 when issues arise.
• Monitor the external environment and synthesize qualitative and quantitative information into concise insights, implications and recommended actions.
• Own and continuously 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 in fast-moving situations, 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.

Skills

Media relations

Spokesperson training

Writing & editing

Verbal communication

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications/public relations/journalism or related field

Job description

Posting Date

10/26/2026

2000 16th Street, Denver, Colorado, 80202, United States of America

About DaVita

DaVita is committed to an unwavering pursuit of a healthier tomorrow for our patients, teammates, and physician partners. As a leader in kidney care, we have a unique opportunity to redefine how care is delivered and improve overall quality of life for individuals with kidney disease.

Position Summary

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 brings a proven track record in issues communications, strong judgment and disciplined project management. This person connects information across the business, makes well-reasoned recommendations, communicates progress clearly and strengthens readiness through practical plans, tools and process improvements. The role requires someone who can work independently, collaborate cross-functionally and remain persistent and accurate in fast-moving situations.

Key responsibilities include:

• 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 strong cross-functional partnerships with Legal, Government Affairs, People Services, operations and other teams to align priorities and drive coordinated execution.


• Create project plans, establish next steps and consistently 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 when issues arise.


• Monitor the external environment and synthesize qualitative and quantitative information into concise insights, implications and recommended actions.


• Own and continuously 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 in fast-moving situations, 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.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism or a related field, or equivalent work experience.


• 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 the ability to set priorities, manage timelines and dependencies, coordinate contributors and communicate progress and results.


• Demonstrated 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, with 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; able to work independently, navigate ambiguity and respond effectively in high-pressure situations.

Here is what you can expect when you join our Village:

• A \"community first, company second\" culture based on Core Values that really matter.


• Clinical outcomes consistently ranked above the national average.


• Award-winning education and training across multiple career paths to help you reach your potential.


• Performance-based rewards based on stellar indiv