DEPARTMENT: Communications
REPORTS TO: Executive Director
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director, Communications (hereafter, Director) is a key member of the leadership of PCORI’s Engagement, Dissemination and Implementation, and Communications team, reporting to the Executive Director and working in close cooperation with colleagues including the Program Directors in PCORI’s Engagement, Dissemination and Implementation, Public Policy and Government Relations, and Science.
The Director is a leader in the communications field, with broad knowledge of organizational and strategic communications, message and campaign development, meeting and event organization and management, scientific communications and publishing, and substantial familiarity with health research, preferably comparative clinical effectiveness research. The Director has experience and familiarity with the areas of dissemination of clinical evidence, public and patient engagement, scientific publishing, public policy and government relations, and establishing and executing against key performance metrics.
The Director will provide leadership and oversee strategic planning and deployment of all organizational communications activities. The Director will work closely with the Executive Director, Directors of Public Policy and Government Relations, Public and Patient Engagement, Engagement Awards, and Dissemination and Implementation, and Science to complement and support their work to promote PCORI, its work, and mission. The incumbent is responsible for supervising four teams led by associate directors or senior managers (Media Relations and Public Outreach, Digital Media, Content Development, and Communications Operations) as they establish and maintain innovative approaches to providing, facilitating and creating opportunities to enhance the communication of PCORI activities. The position is located in Washington, DC.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide leadership in developing and executing of strategic and ongoing communications activities and programs.
- Serve as a supervisor of and consultant to group leaders within the Communications team on activities to promote and extend awareness and understanding of PCORI’s mission, priorities, funding efforts, direction, and the impact of these and related activities.
- Provide expertise to support the planning and execution of the PCORI Annual Meeting.
- Function as part of the senior leadership team of the Engagement, Dissemination and Implementation, and Communications Department and help set strategic goals and outcomes consistent with the direction of the Board of Governors, Executive Director, and PCORI’s authorizing law.
- Provide strategic collaboration and advice across PCORI in the design and evaluation of communications activities designed to advance programmatic and organizational goals.
- Collaborates and advises around digital media activities.
- Collaborates and provides strategic advice around engagement with mass media, including print, radio, television, and web outlets.
- Collaborates and provides strategic advice around content and development of PCORI collateral, including, but not limited to, drafting and editing blogs, fact sheets, web content, and op-eds.
- Speaks internally and externally to provide a broad perspective on PCORI’s mission, priorities, funding, and direction, as well as regarding the activities of the Communications team.
Incumbent(s) in this position may be required to perform other duties and special assignments not specifically stated above.
Statements outlined in this section are designated as essential job functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
*PCORI STAFF CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT - No PCORI employee can receive a direct financial benefit from a healthcare related organization during the course of his/her employment with PCORI.
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PCORI conducts background checks on all applicants.
PCORI is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace.
Required Skills
- Broad communications expertise covering all areas of an organizational communications program.
- Well-developed skills and understanding of extramural research funding agency processes.
- Ability to manage a large, diverse staff, with a dedication to professional development.
- Experience identifying, evaluating, employing and managing independent contractors as needed to augment staff capacity.
- Familiarity with research and evaluation methods.
- Well-developed understanding of health care stakeholder contexts, including perspectives and preferred communications styles of the clinician, payer, purchaser, and patient community (including consumers, patients’ family members, caregivers and patient advocates).
- Extensive experience in communication of sensitive and complex information.
- Extensive experience engaging with lay and scientific media/journalists across a variety of formats (print, web, television).
- Extensive experience planning, developing, and executing large organizational events, such as annual meetings or conferences.
- Extensive experience and comfort with digital media, including web site development, blogs, vlogs, video, audio, and social media.
- Excellent writing and editing skills.
- Ability to see the big picture, balance priorities and remain flexible in a high-visibility environment.
- Creative and innovative self-starter with close attention to detail.
- Ability to work collaboratively across multiple programs.
- Excellent negotiation, facilitation, mediation, and speaking skills.
- Experience working with or managing governing boards and committees.
- Strong knowledge in computer skills including PowerPoint, Word, and Excel
Required Experience
- Bachelor’s degree required, with a specialization in communications, marketing, journalism or related fields. An advanced degree is a plus.
- Minimum 15+ years of progressive experience in corporate and/or strategic communications, including at least five years managing staff.
- Advanced training in communications.
- Demonstrated progressive experience working in complex organizations; familiarity with non-profit organizations, especially in the health, health research or health policy sectors, preferred.
- Demonstrated progressive experience working with researchers and end-users of research.