Senior Communications Officer

Senior Communications Officer

The Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) is a mission-driven nonprofit policy center devoted to improving outcomes for people enrolled in Medicaid. As a design and implementation partner we work with organizations across sectors and disciplines to make more effective efficient and equitable care possible. The passion expertise and creativity of CHCS staff make our work possible. We are dedicated to building a workplace that values the perspectives of and provides a sense of belonging to all individuals.

Position Overview

CHCS seeks an exceptional editor and communications strategist who can translate complex health policy concepts into clear compelling and useful content. As a Senior Communications Officer this individual will work closely with CHCS program staff to communicate ideas that improve health outcomes for millions of people served by Medicaid nationwide.

The ideal candidate is an experienced editor and communications professional with a track record of shaping high-quality publications. They bring keen editorial judgment intellectual curiosity and the ability to quickly understand technical topics and identify what matters to audiences. Candidates from journalism; editorial or content strategy; health or policy communications; and B2B communications are welcome to apply.

The Senior Communications Officer will independently lead communications strategy for assigned CHCS projects working in partnership with program staff and serve as a senior editor for related publications. The role will also support broader editorial initiatives including thought leadership content. Success in this position requires someone who can move comfortably between strategy and execution advising program staff on communications approaches shaping early concepts guiding content development editing publications and helping ensure CHCS work reaches its intended audiences.

This is a full-time exempt senior-level position based in the CHCS office near Princeton New Jersey. CHCS operates on a hybrid schedule with a minimum of one day in the office and four days remote. Local candidates are preferred; remote candidates outside of the NJ/PA/NY area will be considered but will be required to travel to the New Jersey office periodically.

Responsibilities

• Lead communications strategy for assigned projects working with program staff to identify audiences develop communications approaches and manage execution from launch through dissemination.
• Lead editorial development of a broad range of publications such as briefs case studies explainers and blog posts to strengthen structure narrative clarity and usefulness for intended audiences.
• Work closely with CHCS program staff to translate complex research policy and implementation approaches into clear and compelling content including through effective storytelling for professionals.
• Develop ideas for webinars panels and other opportunities to engage CHCS audiences and help shape agendas messaging and promotional content.
• Contribute to CHCS organization-wide communications strategy helping maintain high standards for quality consistency and audience relevance.
• Lead or contribute to special communications initiatives and proposal development as needed.

Core Competencies and Requirements

• Commitment to CHCS mission and interest in improving health care for people served by Medicaid.
• Bachelors degree and 7-10 years of professional experience in journalism editing content strategy or communications. Advanced degrees in journalism communications public health or health policy and/or experience in public health or health policy are a plus.
• Exceptional writing and substantive editing skills including demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information and communicate it clearly for busy professional audiences.
• Strong editorial judgment and an understanding of what makes content clear useful engaging and actionable.
• Experience shaping publications and thought leadership content from concept through final production.
• Intellectual curiosity and demonstrated ability to quickly learn unfamiliar or technical subject matter.
• Meticulous attention to accuracy detail consistency and quality.
• Ability to independently manage multiple projects and deadlines exercise sound judgment around priorities and build productive working relationships with program staff and external partners.
• Health policy experience is preferred but not required; an interest in learning health care policy topics is essential.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

CHCS operates a hybrid environment with one day in the office and four days remote for local employees. The employee will perform job duties in a business office or business home office environment. Minimum internet speed required for home office environment is 15 Mbps download speed and 10 Mbps upload speed. Tasks are generally carried out with no specific or unusual physical or environmental demands. This role requires the ability to operate a computer for extended periods of time with standard office equipment. The position may be required to attend meetings both on- and off-site via phone videoconference or in person. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and will consider reasonable accommodation to assist qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Salary and Compensation

At CHCS our employees are at the heart of everything we do. Our market-competitive offerings include comprehensive benefits and resources to support our employees physical emotional financial personal career and community well-being. These benefits and resources include but are not limited to:

• Paid time off including vacation holidays and sick time
• Retirement plan
• Medical prescription drug dental and vision insurance
• Disability and life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Flexible spending accounts
• Community and volunteer opportunities
• Employer assistance program

Salary Range : $85940 $133206. An exact salary will vary within the salary range based on years of relevant experience and responsibilities. CHCS typically hires new staff toward the introductory portion of this range to allow for future growth within the role.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter resume and three (3) work samples demonstrating writing and/or editing ability through CHCS Career Center . At least one sample should demonstrate the candidates ability to make a complex or technical topic clear and engaging for its intended audience. Candidates submitting edited work should briefly describe their role in developing the piece.

The cover letter should address:

• Why you are interested in the Senior Communications Officer position.
• Any additional professional and/or personal experience that informs your qualifications for the position that is not obvious from your resume.
• Your salary requirements for the position.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability to complete a job application pre-employment testing or a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process please contact CHCS Human Resources Team at or (voice)/711 for TTY.

This description is not intended to limit the responsibilities of a prospective employee to the duties listed above. Responsibilities may vary based on company and individual capabilities.

The Center for Health Care Strategies provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression and any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws.

Required Experience:

Senior IC