Job Description
Position Title: Director, Global Health Communications
Location: Washington, DC (Hybrid, 2-3 days/week in office)
Department: Brand, Communications & Content
Reports to: Vice President, International Media Relations, and Communications
Position Summary:
The Director of Global Health Communications drives unique content and stories in health to capture the attention of national and international media and serves as the lead strategic media advisor to the health team. The Director of Health Communications closely collaborates with the Health team and the Brand, Communications & Content team to:
- Work with department lead on overall Special Olympics’ health messaging, ensuring all messaging is consistent across all content opportunities.
- Develop and execute a public relations strategy for health communications that supports the strategic objectives and broader organizational goals.
- Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with the Health team subject matter experts, media outlets, and relevant influencers.
- Train health communications professionals to write and pitch media and provides high-level briefing materials and talking points to Special Olympics spokespeople.
- Manage the creation of engaging social and other digital media content.
- Effectively manage a portfolio of relevant agency partners and consultant teams; and
- Collaborate with the Sr. Director – Regional Communications- and functionally matrixed organization to ensure consistent branding and messaging specific to health activities.
- Oversee health communications budget in support of Special Olympics’ mission and objectives.
- Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality. Must have attention to detail and be a critical thinker.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Advise the Senior Vice President of Global Health Operations and the Chief of Communications, Marketing, and Development to strategically leverage communications initiatives that contribute to the priority objectives of the organization and key health funding partners.
- Proactively pitch health stories to media in collaboration with the organizational media relations function and oversee health media monitoring. Media train organizational executives, celebrity ambassadors, and other spokespeople.
- Manage all health communications activities, resource allocations and reporting.
- Craft and gain buy-in for high-level strategic communications plans aligned with organizational and donor priorities. Create timebound communications plans for significant health activations, including the Special Olympics World Games. Maintain health communications work plans on an ongoing basis.
- Expand the organization’s health communications multimedia content portfolio and oversee creation of easily deployable materials for stakeholders in limited resource settings. Advise on the creation and dissemination of content that conveys the urgency of inclusive health while protecting the privacy and dignity of Special Olympics athletes.
- Supervise the Manager of Global Health Communications to provide opportunities for professional development and career growth. Liaise with staff in other departments and in offices around the world to deliver priority objectives. Establish a continuous improvement approach within the health communications team.
- Support Health Messengers by including them in public relations efforts and media train them when necessary.
- Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and track the effectiveness of communication strategies.
- 5-8 years of demonstrated experience in communications management.
- Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, international affairs, public health, or related field; or comparable professional experience
- Proficient with English grammar and possesses skills in news-style writing, feature writing, copywriting, proofreading and editing. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated experience managing communications initiatives supported by public sector, foundation, and;/or private sector donors.
- Record of accomplishment of effective media relations and/or social media wins.
- Proven ability to manage large workloads and organize work efficiently under pressure and deadlines.
- Proven ability to work in a cross-cultural environment.
- Training as a print or broadcast journalist and has a “nose” for the story a plus. Training in how to tell a story using words, images, or audio, and an understanding of how to create content that draws an audience.
- Several years of experience in communication roles, with a successful track record in designing and implementing communication strategies.
- Experience in international development, multi-national organizations, or public health associations.
- Familiarity with the UN SDGs and other global health frameworks.
- Established relationships with journalists who cover global health, inclusive health, or other related topics.
- Interest in cutting edge digital media, innovative multimedia, or emerging content approaches.
Special Olympics provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
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