We are seeking a seasoned External Communications professional with deep hands-on executive-level corporate experience and business acumen to join our Marketing division. This leader will have a track-record of outcomes driving strategic, innovative, inspiring narratives and communications initiatives that create a unique and differentiated brand presence among key stakeholders.

Reporting to the VP of Integrated Communications, the primary role of the Executive Director of External Communications will be to craft and execute strategies for amplifying athenahealth’s corporate and business narrative through differentiated and authentic PR campaigns, activations, executive speaking engagements and media placements across a range of influential outlets including business, tech and health trade, major and new media. Success will be demonstrated in deepening and broadening coverage across all strategic audiences critical to advancing brand and business positioning. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinking and creative thought leader with exceptional media relationships and experience across brand development, thought leadership communications, public and media relations.

The Executive Director of External Communications will partner closely with peers and leaders across the Marketing team, athenahealth’s executive leadership, and internal support functions to manage all phases of developing and leading the external communications strategy, plans, execution, measurement and optimization.

Job Responsibilities

Translate brand strategy and business strategies into creative and compelling external media and thought-leadership platforms, big ideas, and exceptional storytelling to influence policy makers, industry analysts, investors and other new audiences. Develop creative ideas to help athenahealth break through a crowded landscape, and capture mindshare, share of voice, and positive market sentiment
Provide visionary leadership and mentorship to a team of Public Relations professionals
Drive a speakers bureau strategy that identifies, architects and executes leadership speaking engagements for a range of executives across disciplines and areas of expertise in line with key themes that support our market and business objectives
Manage strategy across internal team and agency partners, defining clear targets and benchmarks for success and creating clear roles and responsibilities in line with objectives
Develop annual communications vision, quarterly communications’ plans and ongoing measurement and analysis that support reputation-building across key stakeholders identified by athenahealth executives.
Expand and evolve our media relations strategy and expertise. This will include media outreach and relationship building with outlets broader than traditional healthcare trade media – including major Business, broadcast and Tech media outlets, evolving and new media bloggers and outlets – and identifying thought leadership opportunities with key stakeholders and broad public positioning initiatives.
Develop strategic partnerships with athenahealth’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and shape the narrative and “key beats” that will create distinction for athenahealth and position the brand as an innovative and disruptive “category of one,” creating impact in healthcare through our technology enablement, insights, and the power of our data.
Be a spokesperson for the business, and coach and prepare senior executives (e.g., C-Suite level and their direct reports) on topics for events and media opportunities.

Typical Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Marketing, Business, or related field.
15+ years of experience in communications and healthcare and/or technology, or related experience
Demonstrated experience driving differentiated media outcomes, creating brand narratives with high-profile media outlets, using innovative platforms and multi-channel strategies for communications.
Strong network of public and media relations in Business and Technology/Innovation, Public Affairs, and/or Healthcare is valuable.
Superior written and verbal communications skills. Strong storytelling skills, ability to craft messaging for various channels and mediums including press releases, bylines, blog posts, social media, executive thought leadership, events, and more.
Strong leadership presence with the ability to manage across a diverse set of executive stakeholders, building trust and credibility for External Comms function with non-Communications leaders
Strong leadership and management track-record, able to coach and develop talent, and build high performing teams.
Strong business acumen and understanding of regulatory requirements as they relate to communications programs and initiatives, and excellent judgment about complex business and communications issues.

For candidates located in California, Colorado, New York City, and Westchester County (NY), please visit the following link for pay range information:

California: https://www.athenahealth.com/salary-range/ca-nontech-exec-director

Colorado: https://www.athenahealth.com/salary-range/co-nontech-exec-director

New York: https://www.athenahealth.com/salary-range/ny-nontech-exec-director

About athenahealth

Here’s our vision: To create a thriving ecosystem that delivers accessible, high-quality, and sustainable healthcare for all.

What’s unique about our locations?
From an historic, 19th century arsenal to a converted, landmark power plant, all of athenahealth’s offices were carefully chosen to represent our innovative spirit and promote the most positive and productive work environment for our teams. Our 10 offices across the United States and India — plus numerous remote employees — all work to modernize the healthcare experience, together.

Our company culture might be our best feature.
We don't take ourselves too seriously. But our work? That’s another story. athenahealth develops and implements products and services that support US healthcare: It’s our chance to create healthier futures for ourselves, for our family and friends, for everyone.

Our vibrant and talented employees — or athenistas, as we call ourselves — spark the innovation and passion needed to accomplish our goal. We continue to expand our workforce with amazing people who bring diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives at every level, and foster an environment where every athenista feels comfortable bringing their best selves to work.

Our size makes a difference, too: We are small enough that your individual contributions will stand out — but large enough to grow your career with our resources and established business stability.

Giving back is integral to our culture. Our athenaGives platform strives to support food security, expand access to high-quality healthcare for all, and support STEM education to develop providers and technologists who will provide access to high-quality healthcare for all in the future. As part of the evolution of athenahealth’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, we’ve selected nonprofit partners that align with our purpose and let us foster long-term partnerships for charitable giving, employee volunteerism, insight sharing, collaboration, and cross-team engagement.

What can we do for you?
Along with health and financial benefits, athenistas enjoy perks specific to each location, including commuter support, employee assistance programs, tuition assistance, employee resource groups, and collaborative workspaces — some offices even welcome dogs.

In addition to our traditional benefits and perks, we sponsor events throughout the year, including book clubs, external speakers, and hackathons. And we provide athenistas with a company culture based on learning, the support of an engaged team, and an inclusive environment where all employees are valued.

We also encourage a better work-life balance for athenistas with our flexibility. While we know in-office collaboration is critical to our vision, we recognize that not all work needs to be done within an office environment, full-time. With consistent communication and digital collaboration tools, athenahealth enables employees to find a balance that feels fulfilling and productive for each individual situation.

https://www.athenahealth.com/careers/equal-opportunity

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