Communications Manager

Prevention Institute is looking for a seasoned Communications Manager who is deeply committed to improving health and safety and reducing inequities through a focus on prevention.

Working under the leadership of senior staff, this position directs the Institute's strategic communications efforts and is responsible for continuing to build our national visibility as a leader in primary prevention. This position is ideally suited for an agile and persuasive writer and communicator who possesses strong management skills and thrives in a team oriented and fast paced environment. The Institute's approach is interdisciplinary in nature, addressing health and social issues such as community health and health reform, violence and injury prevention, and improving food and activity environments.


Responsibilities include:
Managing and shaping the development of communications strategies and materials (including talking points and messaging strategies) across the Institute's project and focal areas
Expanding the Institute's visibility and effectiveness by:
- Cultivating and maintaining relationships with national, statewide and local press through traditional, new and ethnic media
- Pitching stories-across the Institute's focal areas-to print, radio, television and online reporters and editors
- Overseeing the ongoing and strategic dissemination of publications, tools and frameworks through professional newsletters, journals, blogs and related resources as well as identifying new dissemination outlets
Crafting and editing persuasive and compelling e-alerts, blog articles, press releases, media advisories and op-eds on a variety of prevention related public health issues; writing articles on behalf of senior staff
Tracking and strategic analysis of news coverage of relevant public health issues in traditional and new media
Supervising the maintenance and enhancement of PI's website
Providing strategic guidance on the Institute's social media strategy
Providing strategic consultation to health departments, community based organizations and federal partners on how to effectively frame and develop messages that make the case for prevention
Supervising and mentoring communications staff and consultants
Participation in management team

Ideal Qualifications
Media Relations: Substantial experience working with news organizations, online, print and/or broadcast media outlets. Experience developing communications strategies for advocacy campaigns preferred
Communication skills: Excellent speaking, writing and editing skills required, including the ability to effectively communicate to different audiences (ranging from policymakers to advocates to the general public)
Management skills: Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple projects and deadlines in a high-quality manner while maintaining focus on longer term strategy and deliverables
Collaboration: Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented setting with a range of staff members; willingness to work independently, in ad-hoc teams and with multiple senior staff
Supervision: Ability to effectively supervise and mentor staff across content teams who provide support to communications efforts; capacity to work with a supervisor and senior staff effectively
Social media experience: Strong knowledge of social media strategies - including Facebook, Twitter and other new media technologies - including a strong understanding of analytical applications, is preferred
Design: Ability to oversee and support design and layout, both conceptually and technically
Flexibility: Ability to work and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment; multi-task; shift priorities as needed; ability to blend communications knowledge and skills with content and organizational strategy
Prevention knowledge: Experience in and understanding of effective primary prevention strategies and how to use communications as a tool for advocacy and policy change is strongly preferred
Commitment: Commitment to and demonstrated success in prevention and health; desire to achieve significant prevention and health outcomes and commitment to reducing inequities in health and safety
Education: Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g. Public Health, Public Policy, and Journalism) is preferred; equivalent experience will also be considered. A minimum of 5 years of direct communications related experience is required

**We strongly encourage applicants of color and bilingual candidates to apply**

Salary and Benefits
Prevention Institute offers competitive salaries that are commensurate with experience and include an excellent benefits package and retirement plan. The appropriate salary level is determined by a review of relevant experience and set according to a principle of equity within the organization.

TO APPLY
Please send a cover letter, resume, samples of your writing and overview of the press coverage you have achieved by email (include "Communications Manager" in the subject line) to sarah-at-preventioninstitute.org.