Senior Director, Communications

The Senior Director, Communications serves as NPA’s lead communications strategist, managing a team of communications professionals, to direct the development and implementation of integrated communications plans that advance the association's mission, strategic priorities, advocacy agenda, and member value. This leader is responsible for building greater awareness of PACE among consumers and policymakers along with protecting the organization's brand and reputation through delivery of consistent, compelling messaging across all internal and external communications.

Position Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with the organization's strategic plan with the ability to engage members, policymakers, media, partners, and the public.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing Communications Team to ensure success with NPA’s member value messaging, media relations, digital communications, social media, executive communications, crisis communications, marketing initiatives, and public policy objectives.
• Lead proactive marketing and media relations strategy, including cultivating relationships with national, regional, healthcare, and trade media.
• Develop press releases, media statements, talking points, and op-eds. Manage media inquiries and coordinate responses on sensitive or high-profile issues.
• Prepare organizational leaders for media interviews and public appearances.
• Identify opportunities to increase the association's visibility and thought leadership within the healthcare industry. Ensure consistency of messaging, voice, and brand across all communication channels.
• Partner with policy and advocacy staff to develop and execute compelling multi-channel campaigns that advance the association's legislative and regulatory priorities.
• Translate complex healthcare policy issues into clear, compelling messaging for diverse audiences.
• Coordinate communications with coalition partners and other strategic entities to support aligned messaging on policy and industry initiatives.
• Spearhead consumer-focused messaging strategies to support the larger PACE marketing community. Empower sharing of effective marketing practices and resources amongst PACE organizations to grow public awareness of PACE.
• Direct development of newsletters, annual reports, member communications, promotional campaigns, and educational materials.
• Advance a digital content and governance strategy, ensuring the NPA website and other platforms remain effective communications and member engagement vehicles.
• Lead crisis communications planning and execution.
• Monitor emerging communications trends and recommend innovative approaches to audience engagement.
• Establish team goals, performance metrics, and reporting processes. Ensure use of relevant media, digital, marketing, and member engagement analytics to measure effectiveness and inform continuous improvement.
• Manage team budget, contracts, and external communications vendors, agencies, and consultants.
• Support colleagues with responsibility to drive non-dues revenue initiatives, sharing accountability for strategic promotion, audience engagement and revenue growth.
• Collaborate across departments and teams to ensure communications support of organizational priorities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Acumen in team leadership, management and mentorship.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven expertise in marketing, media and public relations.
• Knowledge of health care policy and advocacy
• Ability to work cross-functionally.
• Ability to learn and effectively use new communications technologies.
• Expertise in social listening and knowing how to tailor messaging and direct communications channels to target audiences effectively
• Knowledge of industry metrics and ability to measure effectiveness of various communication outreach activities.
• Ability to efficiently drive impact and successful outcomes.
• Ability to think quickly, effectively, and creatively to solve problems.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building abilities.
• Strong judgment, discretion, and awareness.
• Strong project, budget development skills.

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, (or related field); or equivalent relevant experience

Experience

• 5+ years’ experience developing communications and member engagement strategies.
• 5+ years of leading communications teams in a non-profit association.

Working Conditions

Small, fast paced team office environment with moderate noise levels. Normal sitting and standing activities for an office environment.  Use of phones and computers for extended periods of time. Utilize office equipment and communication technologies for conference calls and teleconference meetings/webinars. Requires general mobility to move through the facility.  Ability to lift up to 20 pounds.  Ability to travel locally and to other cities for meetings and conferences.

Compensation and Benefits

• Full-time, exempt position with competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.
• Excellent benefits package; NPA pays 100% of the employee’s premium for Medical (HMO and HSA; PPO paid at HMO rate), Dental, Vision, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability coverage, AD&D coverage, and Long-Term Care coverage.
• Retirement savings plan
• Generous paid time off program

NPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer
NPA 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. We strongly encourage applicants from underrepresented groups to apply.