[Hiring] AVP Corporate Reputation & External Communications @HealthEquity

Role Description

The AVP, Corporate Reputation & External Communications leads HealthEquity’s external communications strategy and corporate reputation efforts. This role shapes how HealthEquity shows up in national conversations around healthcare affordability, consumer finance, and benefits innovation. This leader will operate as a player–coach setting the vision for external communications while also rolling up their sleeves to secure meaningful media coverage, develop compelling narratives and guide executive visibility.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter with strong executive presence, a clear point of view and a proven ability to build momentum through earned media and strategic storytelling.

What you’ll be doing:

• Shape and Elevate HealthEquity’s External Narrative
  • Lead strategy that defines how HealthEquity participates in national conversations around healthcare affordability and consumer finance.
  • Develop compelling narratives that highlight HealthEquity’s impact and leadership in the healthcare ecosystem.
  • Ensure message discipline and consistency across all external spokespersons and channels.
  • Position HealthEquity executives as trusted voices on healthcare affordability and consumer financial empowerment.
  • Prepare leaders for media interviews, speaking engagements, and high-visibility public moments.
  • Strengthen the company’s presence in national policy and industry conversations.
• Build a High-Impact Earned Media Engine
  • Lead a proactive earned media strategy that generates consistent coverage in top-tier business, healthcare, and financial media.
  • Establish an editorial cadence for proactive storytelling, announcements, and executive visibility opportunities.
  • Build and maintain relationships with key journalists, editors, and industry voices.
• Lead External Agency Partnerships
  • Oversee and manage PR agency partners as an extension of the HealthEquity communications team.
  • Establish performance expectations and measurable outcomes for agency work.
  • Ensure agency support advances HealthEquity’s strategic communications priorities.
• Measure and Optimize Communications Impact
  • Establish metrics that evaluate the effectiveness of external communications.
  • Translate earned media outcomes into insights that demonstrate business value.
  • Continuously refine communications strategies based on analytics and media performance.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in public relations or external affairs
• Demonstrated success leading high-impact earned media programs
• Proven ability to secure top-tier national media coverage
• Experience managing corporate reputation and thought leadership initiatives
• Exceptional storytelling, writing and editorial judgment
• Ability to operate with high autonomy, sound judgment and strategic clarity
• Experience managing external communications agencies

Success in the role will contribute to:

• Increased share of voice in national media conversations
• Strong executive visibility in healthcare and financial policy discussions
• Clear, consistent external narratives that reinforce HealthEquity’s reputation
• Earned media programs that demonstrate measurable impact

What makes you exceptional:

• You are a strategic communicator who understands how narrative shapes reputation.
• You translate complex issues into compelling stories that resonate with media, policymakers, and the public.
• You are equally comfortable advising executives and pitching reporters on deadline.
• You combine strategic thinking with a bias for execution.
• You bring confidence, curiosity, and the ability to build momentum through storytelling.

Salary Range

$175500.00 To $210500.00 / year

Benefits

• The actual compensation offer is determined based on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, and work location.
• This position will be eligible for performance-based incentives and restricted stock units as part of the total compensation package, in addition to a full range of benefits including:
• Medical, dental, and vision
• HSA contribution and match
• Dependent care FSA match
• Uncapped paid time off
• Paid parental leave
• 401(k) match
• Personal and healthcare financial literacy programs
• Ongoing education & tuition assistance
• Gym and fitness reimbursement
• Wellness program incentives

Onboarding & Travel

This is a remote role, with an in-person onboarding training component. New team members must participate in Trailhead, HealthEquity’s immersive onboarding experience. Trailhead is designed to foster meaningful connections, support your integration into the organization, and equip you with a strong understanding of our business. Trailhead participation is a key expectation of this role. Trailhead is held onsite at our headquarters once per quarter. HealthEquity covers all required travel and accommodations.

This role may begin with a virtual, self-paced onboarding experience, followed by a mandatory onsite Trailhead session at a later date.

HealthEquity is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to team members with qualifying disabilities. Should you be selected for this role and require an accommodation, we will put you in touch with our Benefits Team so you can begin the accommodation request process.