TAG – The Aspen Group was built on the simple idea of bringing better healthcare to more people. TAG and the independent healthcare practices it supports today operate more than 1,300 retail locations in 45 states through its five consumer healthcare brands: Aspen Dental®, ClearChoice Dental Implant Center®, WellNow Urgent Care®, Chapter Aesthetic Studio℠ and AZPetVet.

Combined, the companies serve more than 35,000 patients a day and more than 8 million patients each year. TAG is headquartered at 800 W. Fulton Market in Chicago.

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We’re seeking a Head of External Communications to oversee the corporate and consumer communications team at The Aspen Group. This person will lead all elements of communications including Corporate Comms, Executive Comms, Policy Comms, Financial Comms, Consumer Media Relations and Crisis & Issues Management. The Head of External Communications will play a hands-on role in driving proactive communications to support the rollout of new services and offerings, executive thought leadership, social impact initiatives as well as develop and maintain a best-in-class issues and crisis preparedness and policy communications for TAG. In addition to an established agency partnership, you will lead a small but mighty in-house team that promotes and defends TAG's external narrative.

What You’ll Do

• Partner with the brand CMOs and various business/brand leaders to develop content strategies and manage firm-wide execution.
• Partner with other communications team members and C-Level Executives to develop executive communications strategies aligned with key business priorities and objectives.
• Develop and implement comprehensive external communication strategies aligned with the organization's overall objectives and goals.
• Collaborate with the executive team to ensure external messaging is consistent with the company's mission, vision, and values.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key members of the media, journalists, and influencers.
• Oversee the creation and distribution of content that advances TAG brands and create compelling story opportunities for influencers and media.
• Act as the primary spokesperson for the organization, handling media inquiries and interviews as necessary.
• Oversee consumer media relations and corporate communications for TAG including issues and crisis management
• Build a best-in-class issues and crisis response strategy and playbook
• Track and analyze emergent issues and developing guidance on when/where to engage.
• Drive the TAG narrative in the media and serving as the initial clearing house for issues-related external-facing corporate communications materials to ensure consistency and alignment.
• Work cross-functionally with business units to craft communications plans that influence the thinking and behavior of key audiences and thoughtfully promotes TAG and its family of brands.

What You Bring

• 15 years working in corporate issues and crisis communications in house or at an agency
• Knowledge and experience with policy and litigation issues for compliance heavy organizations.
• Ability to deploy and think in a multi- channel/audience approach to respond to crises.
• Ability to effectively multi-task and manage competing priorities and initiatives across internal & external stakeholders with minimal supervision; self-motivated
• Strong writing skills and attention to detail, including proofreading, editing and grammar skills

Bonus Points

• Spokesperson experience.
• Experience in healthcare.