Healthfirst

The External Communications Manager serves as an integral member of the Communications team who will have exposure to a variety of priorities across the Corporate Communications department from media campaigns supporting annual enrollment to building awareness of our hyperlocal approach in communities. Reporting to the Director of Business Communications, this individual will play a critical role in identifying story ideas and conducting media outreach and will contribute to the content and engagement strategy for Healthfirst’s social and digital channels. In this role, you will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to translate complex initiatives into compelling narratives that support business priorities. The ideal candidate is a strong writer with prior experience in both earned and social media strategies who is passionate about expanding awareness of programs and services that help New Yorkers access high-quality, affordable care.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Under the guidance of the Director of Communications at Healthfirst, identify media opportunities, develop pitches, and proactively secure earned media coverage that supports Healthfirst’s brand and business priorities.
• Collaborate with Social Media team to execute engagement growth strategy, including monitoring trends, responding to inquiries, and amplifying Healthfirst’s voice across social platforms.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Corporate Communications team to develop and execute content that supports Healthfirst’s business goals and drive audience engagement
• Track performance of external communications efforts using media and social monitoring, providing insights and recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Additional duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills and experience developing press releases, pitches, briefing materials and talking points.
• Proven experience in pitching journalists and securing earned media placements, including writing press materials, pitching stories, and working directly with media outlets to secure coverage.
• Creative and strategic thinker with a track record of developing compelling content across channels—including digital, social, and video.
• Strong ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Demonstrated understanding of how to tailor messaging for different audiences and distribution platforms
• Analytical mindset with the ability to use data and media insights to refine messaging and measure communications impact.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across teams.
• A team player that recognizes the importance of working collaboratively.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working experience in healthcare or an adjacent highly-regulated industry; Agency experience preferred.
• Established relationships with media contacts in health, business, or community beats.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities a plus, especially in languages commonly spoken in Healthfirst’s service areas: Spanish, Mandarin, and Cantonese.

Hiring Range*:

• Greater New York City Area (NY, NJ, CT residents): $100,900 - $145,775

• All Other Locations (within approved locations): $86,500 - $128,690

As a candidate for this position, your salary and related elements of compensation will be contingent upon your work experience, education, licenses and certifications, and any other factors Healthfirst deems pertinent to the hiring decision.

In addition to your salary, Healthfirst offers employees a full range of benefits such as, medical, dental and vision coverage, incentive and recognition programs, life insurance, and 401k contributions (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). Healthfirst believes in providing a competitive compensation and benefits package wherever its employees work and live.

*The hiring range is defined as the lowest and highest salaries that Healthfirst in “good faith” would pay to a new hire, or for a job promotion, or transfer into this role.

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. HF Management Services, LLC complies with all applicable laws and regulations. Applicants and employees are considered for positions and are evaluated without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information, domestic violence victim status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, military status, veteran status, citizenship or immigration status, height and weight, familial status, marital status, or unemployment status, as well as any other legally protected basis. HF Management Services, LLC shall not discriminate against any disabled employee or applicant in regard to any position for which the employee or applicant is otherwise qualified.