Corporate Communications Strategist (Marketing)

We're hiring a Corporate Communications Strategist!

Join Delta Dental of Missouri and help shape the voice of a trusted brand. In this high-impact role, you'll lead strategic messaging, manage media relations, and drive social media engagement to elevate our reputation. If you're a communications expert with a strategic mindset and talent for impactful messaging, we want to hear from you!

Position Summary 

The Corporate Communications Strategist is responsible for ideation, development and execution of an integrated corporate communications strategy to uphold and improve perception of DDMO with key constituents. This highly visible role works in collaboration with the director, marketing & communications, CSMO and external public relations consultants to provide recommendations to DDMO leadership and various internal teams that focus on reputation management through messaging to key audiences, corporate social media strategy and crisis communications. 

This individual works independently, often directly with internal areas to respond to communications needs. The lead creates compelling communications to convey key messages, align with the Delta Dental national brand, and build credibility and trust with various audiences. Developing complex communications is key in this role, as is continuous evaluation of current communications and recommendation of new communication vehicles to maximize effectiveness.  

The role develops communications with a focus on reputation management and enhancement, utilizing Delta Dental Plan Association messaging as well as developing localized messaging for Delta Dental of Missouri and its subsidiary companies. This individual manages the development, editing, approval and distribution of communications materials to external audiences, including social media content, press releases, corporate statements and materials, and crisis communications. In addition, the lead develops communications for internal staff to utilize with key audiences (brokers, clients, members, etc.) 

Essential Functions and Job Responsibilities 

• Collaborate with media relations consulting firm to provide direction on media outreach priorities and connect local outreach opportunities with upcoming DDPA national content.  
• Monitor social media channels and develop content in alignment with communications strategies, as well as send social media responses in coordination with various departments. 
• Work closely with community impact staff to identify specific stories of grant outcomes for media pitches; identify ways to engage with grantee organizations, including orchestration of check presentations/collaborative promotion of grants and donations with outside organizations. 
• Develop and implement social media calendar on several platforms, utilizing DDPA content and content from community impact and marketing teams. Monitor social media effectiveness and recommend improvements based on engagement results. 
• Train internal staff on how to improve their LinkedIn presence and share DDMO content in their networks. 
• Monitor industry trends to identify opportunities for expressing the organization's point of view to audiences. 
• Provide internal education to employees on how to support DDMO's social media presence and expand our reach through employee ambassadors. 
• Support and participate in the development and implementation of internal and external communications strategies, programs and initiatives to support corporate objectives. 
• Provide strategic consultation and manage a variety of internal and external communications to support executive leadership, including preparation of speeches, publications, talking points, presentations, and other communications materials. 
• Develop strong working relationships with various departments. 
• Create effective corporate messaging content for company websites. 
• Develop and maintain updates to the Crisis Communication Plan, including a detailed activation plan and templates for use in crisis situations. 
• Serve as backup to the Director for media outreach initiatives and crisis communications as needed.  
• Handle highly sensitive and confidential information as part of proactive communications planning. 
• Support and promote the corporate and department mission, vision and core values. 
• Participate in other department activities and initiatives, as requested. 

Qualifications 

• A bachelor's degree in marketing, communications or equivalent. 
• 7 or more years of experience in leading corporate marketing communications projects, preferably in insurance or benefits. 
• Demonstrates superb written and verbal communication skills in a corporate marketing environment, including key messaging and collateral development for print, broadcast, social and digital media, and web- and mobile-based distribution.    
• Ability to work independently, as well as set workgroup priorities for maximum team effectiveness.   
• Possesses excellent interpersonal relationship skills, capable of building and maintaining positive, collaborative working relationships with internal and external constituents at all levels. 
• Ability to manage vendor agencies to achieve established outcomes.   
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required.   

Environment 

This position currently functions as a hybrid role working from both home and in-office environments. Any home office setting must be conducive to all guidelines outlined by the organization. This role is required to regularly attend in-person meetings, the frequency of which is determined by management based on departmental or organizational needs.  

Work Conditions 

General office working conditions which may require sitting for extended periods of time. 

Physical and Other Demands 

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. 

Specific vision abilities require the ability to focus distant and near objects clearly. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands and arms to handle, feel and reach as well as operate a personal computer. 

Disclaimer 

This job description is designed to provide a general overview of the requirements of the job and does not entail a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that will be required. The organization reserves the right to modify this job description at any time; including assigning or reassigning job duties or eliminating this position at any time. 

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

See job description