Senior Communications Manager

Senior Communications Manager

Accredited public relations (APR) professional and accomplished communications leader of 20+ years in the development and execution of effective internal and external strategies. Passionate about delivering results-oriented solutions and increasing brand awareness through strategic communications and thoughtfully crafted messaging.

Key Skills

Creative Problem-Solving Ability Award-Winning Copywriting and Publications Social Media Management

Corporate and Agency Experience Hospital and Healthcare Expertise Healthcare and Medical Knowledge

Reputation Management Thought Leadership Patient Communications Patient Education Storytelling

Brand Strategy and Implementation Marketing and Communications Strategy B2B and B2C

Content Development Marketing and Communication Plans Public and Media Relations Success

Internal and External Communications People Communications

Professional Experience

Walgreens, Remote 07/2023 - 12/2024

Communications Manager

Collaborated with leadership and business partners to develop and implement communication strategies across internal and external communications channels (e.g., earned, owned and paid/sponsored media), in support of Walgreens' enterprise specialty pharmacy (treating patients with rare disease and chronic conditions). Focused on B2B communications targeting provider, payer, pharma and life science audiences.

Led earned media outreach, including drafting press releases, talking points, media pitches, briefing booklets, FAQs. Cultivate relationships with key trade media outlets, building trust to gain media placement.

Worked closely with specialty pharmacy chief operating officer (COO), senior leadership and key subject matter experts to create and execute strategic communications, including talking points, discussion guides, emails, and briefing booklets, that deliver on stated objectives. Earned four (4) top industry awards for COO.

Supported leadership presence for key industry conference and events, including identifying topics and speakers, developing discussion guides, speaker preparation, fielding media inquiries, and promotion of conference presence via internal channels and social media. Promotion of 2024 conference earned 8 articles related to conference presentations, equating to approximately 85.3M potential impressions.

Developed and implemented strategic approach to social media (internal and external), including executive Linkedin presence (e.g., developing content calendar, identifying engagement opportunities, drafting of posts, creating engaging content, gathering insights from past performance, and reporting metrics).

Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and consistency in messaging; amplify messages on internal channels (e.g., WConnect (intranet), and via targeted team member emails.

Regular engagement with public relations firm to support specialty pharmacy initiatives and providing on-call after hours media phone and mailbox support were also part of this role.

AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy, Remote 09/2020 - 07/2023

External Communications Manager

Developed and implemented communication strategies in support of 3rd largest central specialty and home delivery pharmacy, now a wholly owned subsidiary of Walgreens. Regularly cross-collaborated with senior leaders, people managers and business partners to drive communications, media relations, thought leadership and reputation-building initiatives designed to meet overall brand standards, increase awareness and demonstrate the value of AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy.

Established positive company reputation through earned media coverage, company and leadership awards, thought leadership and executive visibility at industry conferences.

Led and executed communications strategies by developing results-oriented communication action plans and writing effective content.

Increased media relations "positive share of voice" from 22% to 28% over two years; realized 12.4% YOY growth in monthly unique visitors from 2017-2023; and realized 51% YOY increase in company mindshare from 2017 - 2023.

Awarded two PRSA Classic awards for company rebrand and blog launch.

Prime Therapeutics, Bloomington MN 10/2017 - 09/2020

External Communications Manager

Helped architect communications function of new company, AllianceRx Walgreens Prime, a combined central specialty and home delivery pharmacy between Prime Therapeutics LLC and Walgreens. As a shared service to Walgreens, regularly cross-collaborated with senior leaders and business partners to drive variety of public relations, media relations, crisis communications, social media and reputation building initiatives designed to meet overall brand standards, increase awareness and demonstrate value of new pharmacy.

Established foundational communication channels plus corresponding policies, processes and procedures. Launched company's social media presence (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter) as well as coordinated standard operating procedures for monitoring of channels by pharmacy service delivery team. Developed strategic social content to generate awareness, drive traffic and increase engagement among audiences.

Stood up corporate blog, developed editorial calendar, and created B2B thought leadership content, including patient stories, rare disease/chronic condition-specific content. Included editing, proofreading, collaborating. Stories targeted patient, provider, payer and pharma audiences.

Evaluated, planned and implemented communication strategies (i.e., media relations, speaking, awards, conferences, messaging and materials).

Developed crisis communications plan for organization, including annual training for leadership.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, Eagan MN 06/2015 - 06/2017

Senior Marketing Consultant (onsite contractor)

Managed development and implementation of effective strategic marketing and communications plans that supported assigned business partner – a third-party administrator (TPA) affiliate business group. Collaborated on development of organizational value story; led internal branding/signage project; developed sales support collateral; led TPA's interim website redesign; served as primary liaison between business partner and marketing team.

Foley Outsource Communications, Eagan MN 04/2004 - 06/2015

Marketing Communications Consultant

Independent marketing and communications consultant providing marketing, strategy, social media, research, content development, editorial and overall project/account management solutions, on either project, onsite or contract basis. Partial client list included Allina Health; Arthritis Foundation; Blue Cross andBlue Shield of MN; Blue Link TPA; Children's of MN; and CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances.

Education

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Journalism

University of South Carolina, Columbia SC

Accredited in Public Relations 2021

Public Relations Society of America

Organizations and Awards

Member, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) 2018 - Present

Member, Minnesota Public Relations Society of America (MN PRSA) 2018 - Present

Board of Directors, At Large, 2024 - 2026

APR Committee Chair, MN Public Relations Society of America, 2023 - 2024

Classic Award Winner, Reputation, Brand Management andInstitutional Programs, for corporate blog launch, 2022.

Classic Award Winner, Reputation, Brand Management andInstitutional Programs, for company rebrand, 2023.

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