Communications Officer

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) connects the world's leading public and private organizations to accelerate biomedical breakthroughs for patients. The FNIH brings together leading scientist to navigate and solve complex human health problems and advance development of new therapies, diagnostics, and potential cures; advance global health and equity in care; and celebrate and train the next generation of scientists.

Established by Congress in 1990 to support the mission of the NIH, the FNIH is a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) charitable organization. For more information about the FNIH, please visit fnih.org.

EOE STATEMENT:

The FNIH is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. The FNIH celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) seeks a Communications Officer to enhance its talented Communications team working to raise awareness about the FNIH’s contribution to the NIH mission, role in advancing biomedical research, and impact of its programs and events.

As Communications Officer, you will plan, develop, and coordinate internal and external communications across a broad spectrum of target audiences. These include research partners and scientists, key opinion leaders, philanthropic individuals and foundations, patient advocacy groups, NIH employees and leadership, FNIH employees, and science- and health-engaged consumers.

You will project manage the development of communications products in support of programs. You will use your writing and editing skills to translate complex scientific language into content easily understood by an educated lay audience. You will create talking points and draft event remarks for FNIH leadership. You will tell stories that make our work come alive.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Communications and working with a supportive, collegial team of communications professionals, you will implement communications, media strategies, and social media tactics using multimedia, including print and web-based vehicles. Your goal: to tell the compelling narrative of a 26-year-old organization that is profoundly improving the lives of patients around the globe.

Key Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Director of Communications, communications team members, and colleagues within the FNIH, develop and execute multi-pronged communications strategies to amplify key messaging about the FNIH and its programs in ways that enhance visibility and respect.
• Distill complex scientific messages into narratives accessible to science journalists, researchers, donors, the press, and the health-interested public, in forms including short articles, blogs, speeches, infographics, website content, social media, and video narrative.
• Draft press releases, announcements, web pages, newsletter articles, and other written materials about FNIH programs.
• Support social media strategies and implementation with posting text/content, video and images that engage our audiences.
• Proactively identify and explore new ways to communicate FNIH activities and programs. Stay informed of best practices and current trends in communicating that effectively increase share of voice/brand awareness.
• Identify opportunities and story ideas to catch the attention of reporters and garner earned media.
• Work with the FNIH’s PR agency and other outside communications vendors to ensure the FNIH receives the maximum benefit from those services.
• Engage other FNIH staff, NIH and partner communications teams, and the press to gain buy-in and participation in amplifying overall FNIH messaging and activities.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, science writing, healthcare policy, or other relevant field(s), coupled with significant related professional experience
• Experience translating complex scientific material into digestible, lay-friendly language and graphics
• Working knowledge of biomedical sciences
• High level writing and editing skills
• Track record in drafting talking points, remarks, speeches
• Experience in successfully managing multiple projects with deadline pressures and competing priorities
• Demonstrable experience drafting and executing successful, multi-pronged communications strategies
• Experience in crafting effective messaging for social media and the web
• Proven track record in mining and using story to engage stakeholders
• Working knowledge of social media, website, and print material design principles
• Familiarity of content management systems and with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and/or Canva considered a plus

At FNIH we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace. If you are excited about this role and the work of the Foundation, but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all the qualifications in the job description, we encourage you to apply nonetheless. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles at FNIH.

FULL-TIME/PART-TIME: Full-Time

LOCATION: FNIH (Hybrid)

PI0516b184d737-30210-33061143

Location: Rockville, Maryland, US

Posted Date: 4/14/2024