📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Communications Specialist
🔹 Company: Premera Blue Cross
🔹 Location: Mountlake Terrace, WA
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid
🔹 Category: Communications, Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: May 6, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and implementing communications strategies for Premera's Provider audience
- Creating and managing content for internal and external communications
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure messaging aligns with business objectives
- Managing communication timelines and deliverables
- Evaluating communication effectiveness and making recommendations for improvement
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong communication skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop, write, edit, and finalize a wide range of communications for internal and external audiences
✅ Advise business partners on content development and communication strategies to manage change effectively
✅ Create press releases, media relations content, case studies, white papers, executive bios, social media content, and speaking proposals
✅ Manage communication timelines and deliverables, guiding leaders in developing effective communication plans and timelines
✅ Evaluate the effectiveness of communications and make recommendations for improvement
✅ Research media coverage and industry trends
✅ Support executives writing communications as needed
✅ Support additional team projects as needed
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong attention to detail, excellent writing skills, and the ability to work well under pressure.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Business, or four (4) years of work experience (Required)
Experience: Three (3) years of experience in communications (Required)
Required Skills:
- Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Strong project management skills
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment
- Proficient in Microsoft 365 suite
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in a regulated industry or healthcare
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in a regulated industry or healthcare will have a strong understanding of the complexities and sensitivities involved in communicating about these topics.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $78,000.00 - $115,100.00 (National Plus salary range used in higher cost of labor markets including Western Washington and Alaska)
Benefits:
- Medical, vision, and dental coverage with low employee premiums
- Voluntary benefit offerings, including pet insurance for paw parents
- Life and disability insurance
- Retirement programs, including a 401K employer match and a pension plan that is vested after 3 years of service
- Wellness incentives with a wide range of mental well-being resources for you and your dependents
- Generous paid time off
- Tuition assistance for both undergraduate and graduate degrees
- Employee recognition program
Working Hours: Full-time, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in the Pacific Northwest. The actual salary may vary based on factors such as candidate's skills, experience, and market conditions.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Premera Blue Cross is a leading health plan in the Pacific Northwest, providing comprehensive health benefits and tailored services to more than 2.8 million people. They focus on quality outcomes for patients and controlling costs.
Company Size: Premera Blue Cross has 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Founded: Premera Blue Cross was founded in 1933 and has since grown to become a trusted health plan in the region.
Company Description:
- Premera is committed to improving customers’ lives by making healthcare work better
- The company offers innovative health and wellness solutions focused on quality outcomes for patients and controlling costs
- Premera is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, serving businesses and residents of Alaska and Washington state, excluding Clark County
Company Specialties:
- Healthcare coverage
- Workforce wellness
- Stop-loss
- Overpayment recovery
- Health insurance
Company Website: Premera Blue Cross
ASSUMPTION: Premera Blue Cross is a well-established company with a strong reputation in the healthcare industry. They value innovation, collaboration, and growth, providing employees with opportunities to develop their skills and advance their careers.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior level, indicating significant experience and expertise in communications.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Communications Specialist will report directly to the Manager, Provider Communications.
Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, with a combination of on-site and remote work. The office is located in Mountlake Terrace, WA.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to take on additional responsibilities and advance within the communications department
- Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and collaborate with cross-functional teams
- Access to professional development and training opportunities
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within a dynamic and collaborative team environment.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Premera Blue Cross has a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and productivity.
Office Location(s): Mountlake Terrace, WA (with additional offices in Anchorage, AK, and Spokane, WA)
Geographic Context:
- Mountlake Terrace is a suburb of Seattle, WA, offering a mix of urban and suburban living
- The Pacific Northwest region is known for its natural beauty, with easy access to outdoor recreation and cultural attractions
- The cost of living in the Pacific Northwest is generally higher than the national average
Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement)
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers employees the best of both worlds, with the opportunity to work from home and enjoy the benefits of an on-site office environment.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring team
- Final interview with the department director
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Writing and editing skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Project management skills
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Cultural fit and alignment with Premera's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare examples of your writing and communication work to showcase during the interview
- Research Premera Blue Cross and the healthcare industry to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the role
ATS Keywords: Communications, Marketing, Writing, Editing, Project Management, Strategic Thinking, Healthcare, Provider Communications, Hybrid Work, Microsoft 365 Suite
ASSUMPTION: Premera Blue Cross uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage job applications. Including relevant keywords in your resume and cover letter can help your application stand out and increase your chances of being selected for an interview.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft 365 suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
- Content management systems (CMS)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
- Design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva)
- Video conferencing tools (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools and technologies is not required but may be beneficial for success in this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-focused
- Innovative
- Collaborative
- Accountable
- Respectful
Work Style:
- Dynamic and fast-paced
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Focused on continuous improvement and growth
- Results-driven and accountable
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have strong writing and communication skills, with a proven track record of creating engaging and effective content?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and managing multiple projects simultaneously?
- Do you thrive in a collaborative, team-oriented work environment and enjoy working with cross-functional teams?
ASSUMPTION: Premera Blue Cross values employees who are customer-focused, innovative, collaborative, accountable, and respectful. They seek individuals who are comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and are committed to continuous improvement and growth.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Working with complex or sensitive information and ensuring accurate communication
- Adapting to changes in communication strategies and priorities
- Balancing on-site and remote work responsibilities in a hybrid work arrangement
- Navigating a large, mid-sized company with multiple departments and teams
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong project management skills, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and a commitment to continuous learning and growth.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other communications specialist roles, this position offers a higher salary range and more opportunities for professional growth and development
- In the healthcare industry, communications specialists play a critical role in ensuring accurate and effective communication with patients, providers, and other stakeholders
- This role offers a unique opportunity to work on high-impact projects and collaborate with cross-functional teams within a leading health plan
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique combination of competitive compensation, professional growth opportunities, and the chance to make a real impact in the healthcare industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive communication plan for a new healthcare initiative
- Creating and managing content for a provider-focused newsletter or email campaign
- Writing and editing press releases, media relations content, and other communications materials for external audiences
- Managing a team of communications professionals to ensure consistent messaging and branding across multiple channels
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and opportunities available in this role, from strategic planning and execution to team management and leadership.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the biggest challenges facing the communications department in the next 12-24 months, and how can this role help address them?
- How does this role fit into the overall communications strategy for Premera Blue Cross, and what are the key priorities for the first 90 days?
- What opportunities are there for professional growth and development within the communications department and Premera Blue Cross as a whole?
- How does Premera Blue Cross support work-life balance for employees, particularly in a hybrid work arrangement?
- What is the company culture like, and how does the communications department contribute to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions demonstrates your interest in the role and the company, and shows that you are proactive and engaged in the interview process.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through Premera Blue Cross Careers
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare examples of your writing and communication work to showcase during the interview
- Research Premera Blue Cross and the healthcare industry to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the role
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
