Lupus Research Alliance
Position Title: Director of Strategic Communications
Reports to: VP, Marketing and Communications
Location: Remote or Hybird Metro NY Area
Department: Marketing and Communications
Salary Range: $135,000 - $145,000
The Lupus Research Alliance (LRA), the largest non-governmental funder of lupus research in the world, is seeking a highly motivated and innovative Director of Strategic Communications to lead the development and execution of the organization's public relations and messaging strategy aligned with our diverse audiences. This individual will play a critical role in leading communications strategies that amplify the LRA mission with messaging that is relevant and drives engagement with key stakeholders, including donors, researchers, policymakers, and the lupus community.
The Director of Strategic Communications will oversee the creation of compelling messaging, manage media relations, and lead PR/integrated communications campaigns to support fundraising, advocacy, research, clinical work, and awareness efforts.
The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, a skilled storyteller, and an experienced leader with a proven track record in nonprofit healthcare communications.
The Director of Strategic Communications will work closely with the Senior Director, Brand & Integrated Marketing & Communications to strategize and deliver copy for print/digital deliverables spanning, but not limited to collateral, emails, newsletters, websites, presentations, scripts, talking points, and public relations.
This position in working with LRA's media/PR consultants, will serve as a spokesperson for the organization and build relationships with the media.
Communications Strategy, Vision and Leadership
Develop and implement strategic communications plans to advance LRA's brand voice; broaden awareness of its mission impact, and priorities; and increase the visibility of its programs and overall work across key stakeholder audiences; work within LRA's established brand message framework. Create communications/public relations strategy that will position LRA's leadership to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, external audiences, including the media and key influencers. Identify and execute thought leadership and speaking opportunities for the organization (e.g., via interviews, op eds, bylines, desk sides, and industry conferences). Collaborate with leadership, the development team, scientific advisors/researchers, and patients to craft compelling narratives about LRA's impact. Work with leadership team and staff to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and solutions and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them. Identify key audiences and have the ability/versatility to tailor messaging based on the appropriate audiences (i.e. translate complex scientific concepts into accessible and engaging messaging for diverse audiences) Team Development/Management
Build and manage a communications team: staff, interns, volunteers, consultants, and vendors, to support the development and execution of the communications strategy. Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, and conduct annual performance reviews Work across the Marketing & Communications team to ensure collaboration, effective communication, and trust. Communications Operations
Oversee the curation and cataloguing of messaging materials to support an internal resource library. Manage/collaborate relationships with associated vendors, writers, consultants, and project staff. Exercise judgment to prioritize media opportunities for LRA's leadership, and prepare talking points, speeches, presentations and other supporting material as needed Manage with Media/PR consultant that activates engagement, cultivation and managing of press relationships to ensure coverage surrounding LRA's programs, special events, public announcements, and other projects Collaborate with VP MarCom and Senior Director to create and oversee crisis communications plan and lead related messaging. Use a health equity lens to help bring inclusivity and cultural connections to messaging and storytelling. Champion use of LRA's Inclusive Language Guide. Qualifications
Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree preferred Healthcare/pharma or healthcare/nonprofit background preferred. Minimum 5-8 years of experience in management role and with communications in leading messaging, copywriting Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with senior management, LRA Board of Directors and all staff Ability to work independently and collaboratively, to multi-task, and to work under pressure on time- sensitive issues Must have experience managing a team, including consultants and/or vendors, and developing and implementing plans and related metrics. Demonstrates extensive successful writing and editing experience (externally focused) with a variety of print and online communications med Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills for multiple audiences Creative and thoughtful on how new approaches and new media technologies can be utilized to best serve the organization Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution skills, results oriented Ability to make decisions in a changing environment and anticipate future needs; skilled as as an effective tactical as well as strategic thinker. Energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive; a team member and leader who can positively and productively impact both strategic and tactical finance, and administration initiatives Passion for the work and mission of LRA
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and CV/resume.
The Lupus Research Alliance, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to equal opportunity for all regardless of race, ethnicity, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/orientation/preference, class or socioeconomic status, marital status, age, ability, or Veteran status.
LRA will never email candidates with instructions to open attachments, submit personal financial information, or go to any other websites in order to be considered as a candidate. Please note that scams from "recruiters" are prolific and sophisticated. If you are contacted by someone at LRA, please confirm the email is from name@lupusresearch.org only. Even slight variations (such as adding an "s" at the end of research) are not legitimate and should be reported as spam.
Reports to: VP, Marketing and Communications
Location: Remote or Hybird Metro NY Area
Department: Marketing and Communications
Salary Range: $135,000 - $145,000
The Lupus Research Alliance (LRA), the largest non-governmental funder of lupus research in the world, is seeking a highly motivated and innovative Director of Strategic Communications to lead the development and execution of the organization's public relations and messaging strategy aligned with our diverse audiences. This individual will play a critical role in leading communications strategies that amplify the LRA mission with messaging that is relevant and drives engagement with key stakeholders, including donors, researchers, policymakers, and the lupus community.
The Director of Strategic Communications will oversee the creation of compelling messaging, manage media relations, and lead PR/integrated communications campaigns to support fundraising, advocacy, research, clinical work, and awareness efforts.
The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, a skilled storyteller, and an experienced leader with a proven track record in nonprofit healthcare communications.
The Director of Strategic Communications will work closely with the Senior Director, Brand & Integrated Marketing & Communications to strategize and deliver copy for print/digital deliverables spanning, but not limited to collateral, emails, newsletters, websites, presentations, scripts, talking points, and public relations.
This position in working with LRA's media/PR consultants, will serve as a spokesperson for the organization and build relationships with the media.
Communications Strategy, Vision and Leadership
Develop and implement strategic communications plans to advance LRA's brand voice; broaden awareness of its mission impact, and priorities; and increase the visibility of its programs and overall work across key stakeholder audiences; work within LRA's established brand message framework. Create communications/public relations strategy that will position LRA's leadership to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, external audiences, including the media and key influencers. Identify and execute thought leadership and speaking opportunities for the organization (e.g., via interviews, op eds, bylines, desk sides, and industry conferences). Collaborate with leadership, the development team, scientific advisors/researchers, and patients to craft compelling narratives about LRA's impact. Work with leadership team and staff to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and solutions and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them. Identify key audiences and have the ability/versatility to tailor messaging based on the appropriate audiences (i.e. translate complex scientific concepts into accessible and engaging messaging for diverse audiences) Team Development/Management
Build and manage a communications team: staff, interns, volunteers, consultants, and vendors, to support the development and execution of the communications strategy. Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, and conduct annual performance reviews Work across the Marketing & Communications team to ensure collaboration, effective communication, and trust. Communications Operations
Oversee the curation and cataloguing of messaging materials to support an internal resource library. Manage/collaborate relationships with associated vendors, writers, consultants, and project staff. Exercise judgment to prioritize media opportunities for LRA's leadership, and prepare talking points, speeches, presentations and other supporting material as needed Manage with Media/PR consultant that activates engagement, cultivation and managing of press relationships to ensure coverage surrounding LRA's programs, special events, public announcements, and other projects Collaborate with VP MarCom and Senior Director to create and oversee crisis communications plan and lead related messaging. Use a health equity lens to help bring inclusivity and cultural connections to messaging and storytelling. Champion use of LRA's Inclusive Language Guide. Qualifications
Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree preferred Healthcare/pharma or healthcare/nonprofit background preferred. Minimum 5-8 years of experience in management role and with communications in leading messaging, copywriting Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with senior management, LRA Board of Directors and all staff Ability to work independently and collaboratively, to multi-task, and to work under pressure on time- sensitive issues Must have experience managing a team, including consultants and/or vendors, and developing and implementing plans and related metrics. Demonstrates extensive successful writing and editing experience (externally focused) with a variety of print and online communications med Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills for multiple audiences Creative and thoughtful on how new approaches and new media technologies can be utilized to best serve the organization Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution skills, results oriented Ability to make decisions in a changing environment and anticipate future needs; skilled as as an effective tactical as well as strategic thinker. Energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive; a team member and leader who can positively and productively impact both strategic and tactical finance, and administration initiatives Passion for the work and mission of LRA
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and CV/resume.
The Lupus Research Alliance, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to equal opportunity for all regardless of race, ethnicity, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/orientation/preference, class or socioeconomic status, marital status, age, ability, or Veteran status.
LRA will never email candidates with instructions to open attachments, submit personal financial information, or go to any other websites in order to be considered as a candidate. Please note that scams from "recruiters" are prolific and sophisticated. If you are contacted by someone at LRA, please confirm the email is from name@lupusresearch.org only. Even slight variations (such as adding an "s" at the end of research) are not legitimate and should be reported as spam.