Associate Director, Executive Communications

About Us

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is an independent nonprofit organization authorized by Congress in 2010. Its mission is to fund research that will provide patients, their caregivers and clinicians with the evidence-based information needed to make better-informed healthcare decisions. PCORI is committed to continually seeking input from a broad range of stakeholders to guide its work

Position Summary:

The Associate Director, Executive Communications leads efforts to elevate the visibility and reputation of PCORI's executive leaders by developing and executing an effective executive outreach strategy on behalf of the organization. The role reports to the Director, Integrated Communications.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive executive visibility strategy that positions PCORI's executive leadership at the forefront of patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research, the evolving research enterprise and the American health system to be more patient-centered and patient-engaged.

• Develop distinct "executive voices" for each senior leader, crafting tailored positioning and messaging that reflects individual expertise and advances PCORI's overall mission.

• Proactively identify, pursue and manage thought leadership opportunities for executives across a range of channels, including conferences and events, media and media-related opportunities and other public-facing platforms. Identify and pursue new venues, conferences and events for PCORI leaders to advance thought leadership and organization vision.

• Research potential areas for future executive opportunities; monitor speeches, journal publications, op-eds, and related content from peer leaders to share insights and inform strategy.

• Partner with the Public and Patient Engagement, Public Policy and Government Relations and Strategic Initiatives teams, and build other relationships across the organization, to create opportunities that position PCORI executives as subject matter experts.

• Develop and maintain media lists to support executive outreach; cultivate reporter relationships; develop pitches and write executive-focused content; and respond to media inquiries.

• Lead media training and interview rehearsals for PCORI executives.

• Collaborate with others to lead preparation of comprehensive briefing materials and collateral - including talking points, pitch memos, Q&A documents and briefing papers - to equip executives for media engagements and public engagements.

• Work closely with media relations colleagues to align executive communications with PCORI's broader media relations work; provide backup support for media relations as requested.

• Manage executive speechwriting to ensure accuracy, fluency, cohesiveness and consistency across messaging and thought leadership opportunities; contribute to executive speech and presentation strategy and development; provide executive speechwriting support as needed.

• Collaborate on the social media strategy for executives, including content creation, curation and engagement tactics.

• Collaborate with colleagues to ensure executive visibility efforts align with PCORI's broader communications, outreach and engagement strategies.

• Through ongoing internal collaboration, keep abreast of PCORI's funded portfolio of research and research-related projects and identify exemplars and examples to use when identifying executive coverage opportunities.

• Develop a comprehensive knowledge of the broad range of PCORI activities that advance the research enterprise and identify examples the broader health and healthcare community can learn from to be more patient-centered and community-engaged.

• Directly supervise executive speechwriting and media relations positions as well as interns or contractors as assigned.

• Develop and monitor adherence to performance metrics.

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.

Qualifications and Skills:

• A minimum of a Bachelor's degree required; specialization in communications, public relations, journalism or a related discipline strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in executive communications in health or health research sectors.
• Specialization in health, health care, health policy, or related fields required.
• Strong media relations experience and established network of relevant media contacts.
• Experience working effectively with C-suite executives.
• Proven track record developing and executing successful executive visibility campaigns. Experience with public speaking coaching and media training preferred.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate trends and pivot communications strategies as needed.
• Detail-oriented; strong organizational, prioritization, and project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships and collaborate effectively across functions and levels, with strong judgment in navigating networked, matrixed environments.
• Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively, handle multiple tasks, work in a fast-paced environment, perform well under pressure, prioritize tasks and meet deadlines and objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with media, develop a media relations strategy and work cross-functionally to support integrated communications strategies.
• Demonstrated success in nominating leaders as speakers at conferences and events.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present and communicate ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Excellent writing and editing skills with the ability to adapt tone and style for various executives and platforms.
• Proficiency in using database and media monitoring platforms.
• Experience managing staff and contractors.
• MS Office Suite proficient (i.e., Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Word) and familiarity with SharePoint preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range: $165,000 - $185,000

The above range represents the salary range expected for the position; however, final offers are based on several factors such as the position's responsibilities; the candidate's experience, education, and skills; location; travel required; and current market conditions. Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect, eligible employees may participate in PCORI-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance plans for the employee and the employee's eligible dependents.

Conflict of Interest.

PCORI wants to ensure that prospective employees are aware of its conflict-of-interest policies so that employment deliberations take into consideration this aspect of PCORI employment. PCORI requires all PCORI employees to disclose upon commencement of their employment and on an annual basis all individual and close relatives financial, business, and personal association with the potential to bias or that have the appearance of biasing one's decisions relating to PCORI. All disclosures made by employees are made publicly available on PCORI's website. Disclosures must include all financial and business and personal associations with any health or healthcare-related organizations and include all associations with any other organizations that have the potential to bias or that have the appearance of biasing one's decisions relating to PCORI, including but not limited to vendors or other third parties with whom PCORI has a contract or that PCORI has funded. For more information please visit PCORI-Conflict-of-Interest-Policies-Outside-Employment-Policy.pdf

PCORI conducts reference and background checks on all applicants.

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