Lead, External Communications

Posting Date

About DaVita 

DaVita is committed to an unwavering pursuit of a healthier tomorrow for our patients, teammates, and physician partners. As a leader in kidney care, we have a unique opportunity to redefine how care is delivered and improve overall quality of life for individuals with kidney disease. 

Position Summary 

The Enterprise Risk Lead helps protect and advance DaVita's reputation by managing communications projects and readiness processes for complex, high-visibility business matters. This externally focused role owns defined projects from planning through execution, develops clear materials for influential audiences and coordinates with partners to keep work moving.  

The ideal candidate brings a proven track record in issues communications, strong judgment and disciplined project management. This person connects information across the business, makes well-reasoned recommendations, communicates progress clearly and strengthens readiness through practical plans, tools and process improvements. The role requires someone who can work independently, collaborate cross-functionally and remain persistent and accurate in fast-moving situations. 

Key responsibilities include: 

• Manage communications projects and readiness processes for complex enterprise matters, delivering against defined goals, timelines and stakeholder needs.  

• Develop concise, audience-appropriate messaging and materials across external and internal channels, including statements, talking points, executive briefings, Q&A and stakeholder communications.  

• Assess business, policy, workforce and reputational considerations; connect relevant themes and recommend practical communications approaches.  

• Build strong cross-functional partnerships with Legal, Government Affairs, People Services, operations and other teams to align priorities and drive coordinated execution.  

• Create project plans, establish next steps and consistently communicate progress, risks, decisions and results to stakeholders.  

• Anticipate questions, emerging risks and potential roadblocks; develop scenarios, response materials and escalation plans and recommend solutions when issues arise.  

• Monitor the external environment and synthesize qualitative and quantitative information into concise insights, implications and recommended actions.  

• Own and continuously improve playbooks, trackers, message libraries, stakeholder maps and other readiness resources; identify opportunities to improve processes at scale.  

• Prioritize work across competing needs, track timelines and resources and address gaps or deviations to keep projects moving.  

• Prepare clear, well-reasoned recommendations for leaders and partners in fast-moving situations, considering implications beyond the immediate project.  

• Share expertise and best practices with teammates, support effective delegation where appropriate and contribute to a collaborative, high-accountability team culture.  

• Manage proactive and responsive media relations, build reporter relationships and prepare and train spokespeople for interviews. 

• Support broader reputation, media relations and Corporate Affairs priorities as business needs evolve, including urgent needs outside standard business hours. 

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism or a related field, or equivalent work experience.  

• 5+ years of experience in communications, media relations, corporate affairs or a related field, with a proven track record managing sensitive or high-visibility work.  

• Proven media relations experience, including reporter engagement, interview preparation and spokesperson training. 

• Exceptional writing, editing and verbal communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex information and tailor materials for different audiences.  

• Strong project management skills, including the ability to set priorities, manage timelines and dependencies, coordinate contributors and communicate progress and results.  

• Demonstrated ability to build trusted partnerships, collaborate and negotiate across functions and work through differing perspectives toward common goals.  

• Sound judgment and analytical problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate multiple inputs, identify implications and make well-reasoned recommendations.  

• Initiative and a continuous-improvement mindset, including experience improving tools, processes or ways of working.  

• High accountability, resilience and attention to detail; able to work independently, navigate ambiguity and respond effectively in high-pressure situations.

Here is what you can expect when you join our Village:

• A "community first, company second" culture based on Core Values that really matter.
• Clinical outcomes consistently ranked above the national average.
• Award-winning education and training across multiple career paths to help you reach your potential.
• Performance-based rewards based on stellar individual and team contributions.
• A comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance your health, your financial well-being and your future.
• Dedication, above all, to caring for patients suffering from chronic kidney failure across the nation.

What We’ll Provide:

More than just pay, our DaVita Rewards package connects teammates to what matters most. Teammates are eligible to begin receiving benefits on the first day of the month following or coinciding with one month of continuous employment. Below are some of our benefit offerings.

• Comprehensive benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k) match, paid time off, PTO cash out
• Support for you and your family: Family resources, EAP counseling sessions, access Headspace®, backup child and elder care, maternity/paternity leave and more

• Professional development programs: DaVita offers a variety of programs to help strong performers grow within their career and also offers on-demand virtual leadership and development courses through DaVita’s online training platform StarLearning.

At DaVita, we strive to be a community first and a company second.  We want all teammates to experience DaVita as "a place where I belong."  Our goal is to embed belonging into everything we do in our Village, so that it becomes part of who we are. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and comply with state and federal affirmative action requirements. Individuals are recruited, hired, assigned and promoted without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

This position will be open for a minimum of three days.

Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience. DaVita offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401k match, healthcare coverage and a broad range of other benefits. Learn more at https://careers.davita.com/benefits  

Colorado Residents: Please do not respond to any questions in this initial application that may seek age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You may also redact this information from any materials you submit during the application process.  You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.