Director of Communications and Media Relations

American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)

Job Title: Director of Communications and Media Relations

Department: Office of Public Affairs

Reports to: Chief Advocacy, Policy, and Development Officer

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

 Date: 07/01/2021

Works in coordination with: Chief Officers, Director of Fund Raising and Development, Director of Membership and Marketing, Director of Information Technology, Director of Government Affairs;

Supervises: Social Media Specialist

Job Purpose: Responsible for positioning, strategic direction, and execution of external communications for ASRM. This includes, but is not limited to, developing and implementing comprehensive communications plans for outreach to media, the public, advocates, patients, legislators, donors, and other external constituents.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee ASRM external communications efforts, coordinating with Director of Membership and Marketing to ensuring consistent messaging and communications.
• Serve as the organization’s press officer, responding to media requests for information and interviews, and coordinating response with executive leaders, Board members, or at-large members, as needed.
• Create and implement proactive communications strategies to determine value proposition, key messages, and a positioning framework for the organization to be known as a global thought leader.
• Develop detailed, effective communications and outreach campaigns for organizational news, events, initiatives, programs, federal and state government relations activities, and other topic areas.
• Work in collaboration with the Director of Membership and Marketing on brand and reputation management.
• Oversee and ensure implementation of social media strategy, supervising the work of the Social Media Specialist.
• Work closely with advocacy and development teams to implement outreach strategies to advance advocacy and development goals.
• Develop, write, and publish a wide variety of communications materials, including executive messaging, press releases, blog posts, op-eds, social media content, guest columns, and infographics/slides.
• Manage relationships with other communications professionals in the field to facilitate collaboration, cooperation, and best practices.
• Create and identify proactive media opportunities for the organization and its key officers in alignment with organizational goals.
• Prepare and coach ASRM leaders and staff for media interviews and appearances.
• Prepare reports using a variety of data analytics and media tracking tools and use analytics to advise decision making for future strategy.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, media relations, communications, or related field. Master’s preferred.
• Preference will be given to candidates with Accreditation in Public Relations (APR).
• 10 or more years of demonstrated experience in strategic communications planning and execution, traditional and social media, as well as sensitive topics and crisis management.
• Strong project management, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Excellent writing, interpersonal communications, and research skills.
• Strong problem-solving, listening, and collaboration skills.
• Facility with and ability to understand complex medical and scientific concepts and “translate” them in ways the public and other audiences can understand.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Job Context: Office setting; no environmental or job hazards; some travel required.