Director, Communications & Media

Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) is on a mission to create a world where no mother, child or family is devastated by HIV and AIDS. Join us in our fight for an AIDS-free generation.

Job Title: Director, Communications and Media

Reports To: Vice President, External Affairs

Department: External Affairs

Location: Washington, DC preferred, Open to remote

Direct Reports: Manager, Media Relations & External Engagement; Senior Communications Coordinator; Regional Communications Officer

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

How will you fight for an AIDS-free generation?

The Director, Communications and Media oversees EGPAF media communications strategies and activities, including messaging, press engagement, story identification, and drafting of speeches and remarks to enhance the Foundation’s visibility across global, country, regional and local media outlets and at external events. The Director also leads on strategy to advance EGPAF’s thought leadership profile through traditional earned media efforts and development of content for owned channels, including LinkedIn. Working closely with the Manager, Media Relations and External Engagement, Senior Communications Coordinator, and the Regional Communications Officer, he/she will work to broaden awareness of EGPAF’s impact, expertise and solutions-based approach; elevate the voice of EGPAF and its senior leaders as subject matter experts; and provide oversight in the management of the Foundation Ambassadors program, to put a face on AIDS in children, youth and families through those living with and affected by the virus.

The Director, Communications and Media will manage the U.S. based Media and External Engagement Manager and the Senior Communications Coordinator, as well as the Regional Communications Officer, and provide leadership to the CCAOs in country around development and implementation of both Foundation and program-specific communications and media strategies. The Director will have significant engagement with Digital, Public Policy and Advocacy (PPA) and Executive teams to drive leadership related communication and thought leadership.

No two days are alike at EGPAF, but what can you expect in this role?

Media Outreach

• The Director will oversee and work closely with the Manager, Media Relations and External Engagement (DC), Senior Communications Coordinator, and the Regional Communication Officer to identify optimal messaging for media pitches; to identify key outlets and cultivate relationships with reporters and editors; and will work to diversify the range of voices at EGPAF featured in external media interviews and profiles.
• Lead media outreach highlighting the Foundation’s global impact, expertise, and progress toward our mission to end AIDS in children, youth, and families.
• Build long-term relationships with key press (emphasizing global health and development, evidence-based approaches, advocacy), as well as day-to-day responses to media inquiries and crisis response management.
• Position EGPAF senior staff, particular the SLT, Country and Technical Leadership as subject matter experts and issue spokespersons.

Writing

• Work closely with EA team and relevant PPA and Executive staff to develop, draft, and place content for earned and owned media to increase visibility with identified audiences. Key content will include opinion editorials, letters to the editor, and LinkedIn articles and other products as needed.
• Collaborate with team members in drafting and editing in-country remarks and speaking opportunities.

External Engagement

• Identify, vet, develop and execute external engagements and opportunities, including conferences, panels, and seminars, which highlight EGPAF’s programs, brand, executives, experts, ambassadors, research, and data. Build out session proposals, identify panelists, and develop talking points and messaging.
• Manage and support staff as they direct the Foundation Ambassador Program; enhance and further enhance the program in the U.S. and globally, including the development of specific roles, objectives, and opportunities for Ambassadors to raise awareness of our mission.
• With Manager Media Relations and Senior Communications Coordinator, review talking points, remarks, presentations, and other supporting material for EGPAF staff and Ambassadors, as needed.
• Collaborate closely with Manager, Media Relations & External Engagement to supervise work of outside consultants on media relations, celebrity engagement, and other work as required.

Digital

• In close collaboration with the Associate Director, Communications and Digital Strategy and Regional Communications Officer, work to jointly develop content for EGPAF Africa social media channels, gathering high quality content from CCAOs and relevant country colleagues.

General

• Collaborate with PPA and EA colleagues to optimize the CCAO Community of Practice, sharing experiences, including best practices and ideas to enhance strategic communication outputs.
• Proactively identify needs of country offices without CCAOs; support hiring and staff development of such where possible.
• Working closely with EA colleagues, identify strategies to promote non-technical, country-driven materials across EGPAF’s external dissemination platforms.
• Provide hands-on crisis communications support and counsel across EGPAF, as needed
• Lead media outreach and coordination of high-level country visits region by senior staff, Board, ambassadors, donors and partners, and support the preparation of briefing materials, as required.
• Mentor, coach and facilitate learning for country communication and advocacy officers to build their skills
• With Public Policy and Advocacy Team, jointly plan and execute annual CCAO retreat to build capacity and share best practices, sharpen skills and drive better understanding across teams, countries and units

Storytelling

• Work jointly with Lead Storyteller, Regional Communications Officer and CCAOs to identify, recruit and supervise consultants (photographers, freelance writers, etc.) as necessary to enhance visibility on Foundation work, programs, and initiatives.
• Work jointly with Associate Director, Communications and Digital Strategy, Lead Storyteller, and Regional Communications Officer to engage with country offices on development and writing of country-specific Stories and photographic assets, to be shared across various digital platforms (blog, social media, etc) and pitched to external outlets.

Management

• Oversee the day-to-day activities of the function of the Manager, Media Relations & External Engagement, and Senior Communications Coordinator. Create professional development plan for staff. Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, set objectives, establish priorities, conduct quarterly reviews, and performance appraisals.

To be successful, you will have:

• BS/BA in related field
• 10+ years of relevant experience in Journalism, Communications or Public Relations
• Experience with print and/or electronic and broadcast media and developing strategic communications initiatives
• Demonstrated history of successfully building critical, long term, engaging relationships with stakeholders and relevant partners for positive change
• Willing to regularly travel to Africa (up to 30-40%)
• A team player who can skillfully coordinate activities with senior leadership, management, project directors, and staff, and who has the sensitivity and interpersonal skills to work cooperatively with a group of diverse personalities.
• Background in HIV/AIDS and health issues
• Familiarity with major Africa press
• Ability to synthesize feedback quickly and efficiently
• Attention to detail and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communications and organizational skills, with demonstrated success working in a team environment. Pleasant, flexible, and efficient communicator, must have credibility, good judgment, honesty and integrity

Bonus points if you have:

• NGO and international donor/grantee compliance experience a plus

As a global, multinational, and multicultural organization, EGPAF believes that diversity in the workplace enriches our work and enhances our impact and effectiveness. We believe that employees have the right to work in a climate of mutual respect and integrity that promotes dignity and respect for all, and that enables them to reach their full potential. EGPAF is an equal opportunity employer and affords equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to country law requirements, EGPAF complies with US laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the Foundation has facilities.

The Foundation does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. If you are asked to pay a fee at any stage of recruitment, please contact our hotline by phone (US: dial toll free 888-225-1429; all other countries: call collect 770-776-5674), or online (English: www.reportlineweb.com/pedaids; all other languages: https://iwf.tnwgrc.com/pedaids).