Head of Communications
The Opportunity:
Oscar’s mission is to fix a broken health care system. As the first-ever technology-driven health insurer, we engage our members and guide them in real-time to the highest-value providers — all in service of better, faster, and ultimately more affordable care.
Oscar’s Communications team is responsible for advancing and protecting core business objectives through earned and owned media. Given the breadth and depth of what Oscar innovates on a daily basis — everything from the traditional provider-payer relationship to how patients engage with a confusing health care system — the challenge for the Communications team is to architect a clear narrative that cuts across technology, health care, politics, member experience, and so much more.
The Role:
The Head of Communications, based in New York, will work directly with Oscar's leadership to both shepherd consensus about the company's external vision and strategy and lead the execution of smart, effective communications campaigns based on that strategy. You will report to the EVP of Strategic Partnerships and General Counsel and work closely with our Chief Policy and Strategy Officer as well as the rest of Oscar's Leadership Committee.
You will be responsible for successfully orchestrating all of our Corporate, Executive & Policy, and Product & Tech communications efforts so that Oscar's mission, values, and business model are clear to an exceptionally diverse, intricate web of stakeholders: health care, tech, and political press; health systems and local providers; health policy academics and bloggers; equities and startup analysts, prospective engineering talent in the tech ecosystem, and more. Critically, you will also be charged with managing and developing a nimble, talented team of communications professionals.
Key Goals Include:
Working closely with Oscar's leadership to find sustained and novel ways to communicate the strength of Oscar's business and approach to reporters, health system partners, brokers, analysts, and prospective investors
Using Communications as a business development tool and driving long-term earned media strategies that grow and enhance Oscar's reputation with health systems, brokers, and consumers across current and prospective markets
Leading, growing, and mentoring a talented Communications team in service of building a best-in-class communications department
Supporting growth by developing and executing precise, calibrated earned media campaigns that are aligned with our Marketing efforts and reach consumers across at least a dozen local markets — both during defined time periods such as Open Enrollment for individual insurance, and year-round in business lines such as Oscar for Business
Devising creative owned and earned media strategies that retain Oscar's status as a leading innovator in product & tech and home to the best engineering, product, and design talent
Using polished instincts and media coaching skills to serve as a trusted communications adviser to the CEO
Elevating Oscar's Leadership Committee and executive bench to be strong, credible voices in the health care industry
Collaborating with the Internal Communications Director to support a comprehensive employee engagement and community-building strategy
Ensuring that relevant stakeholders across the company are engaged with and aware of Communications Response protocols for a full range of critical, time-sensitive scenarios -- including regulatory, social media, etc.
Qualifications:
10 years of experience in technology, health care, and/or political communications; with at least 3 - 5 years of experience serving directly as a communications adviser to C-Suite leaders
At least 5 years of experience managing and developing junior communications talent
Strong relationships with national business, health care and technology reporters, editors, and bloggers
In addition, you have a:
Demonstrated passion for working on significant and complex issues of business and public policy on a national scale
Nimble, accelerated approach to communications -- you recognize the news cycle is more like 24 seconds rather than 24 hours and lead your teams to work that way
Healthy interest in how media is changing and how to evolve communications strategies to adapt to the new landscape
Are humble, low-ego, and committed to the team that drives your success
At Oscar, being an Equal Opportunity Employer means more than upholding discrimination-free hiring practices. It means that we work to cultivate an environment where exceptional people can be their most authentic selves and find both belonging and support. We're on a mission to change healthcare -- an experience made whole by your unique background and perspectives.
Oscar applicants are considered solely based on their qualifications, without regard to applicant’s disability or need for accommodation. Any Oscar applicant who requires reasonable accommodations during the application process should contact the Oscar Benefits Team ([email protected]) to make the need for an accommodation known.
Pay Transparency Policy: Oscar's Pay Transparency Policy ensures that you won't be discharged or discriminated against based on whether you've inquired about, discussed, or disclosed your pay. Read the full policy here.