The Vice President for Media Relations advances the American Cancer Society’s mission, goals and objectives by leading a comprehensive media relations program that delivers measurable results toward business objectives.
He/she serves on the leadership team for Corporate Communications, within the Development, Marketing and Communications department.
Areas of Responsibility:
- Serves as a member of the Communications leadership team that partners with Marketing colleagues and business owners to deliver integrated marketing and communications that advance the organization’s mission and revenue objectives with the full range of the American Cancer Society’s audiences. Serves as a senior-level strategic adviser on issues of the highest importance to ACS.
- Leads the nationwide media relations program and is accountable for consistently delivering high-quality results that maintain and expand the American Cancer Society’s media presence, reputation, relevance and mission impact. Continuously innovates the media relations program, including use of online, social media, new media and emerging platforms and techniques. Creates and maintains appropriate policies, procedures and assets to ensure an effective media relations program.
- Directly develops and executes media relations strategies and tactics for the highest level organizational initiatives, with an emphasis on organizational, revenue and marketing initiatives in partnership with the senior leadership for those respective areas. Develops and maintains relationships with top-tier national reporters, while continuously growing the number, strength and diversity of media contacts. Serves as an organizational media spokesperson.
- Leads a team that develops and executes nationwide earned media relations strategies and tactics to deliver cancer information and advance mission and revenue objectives. Builds capacity and empowers team members’ success and professional growth. Ensures inclusion and diversity of perspectives among the team and throughout all aspects of the team’s work.
- Provides counsel, coaching and media training for top executives. Develops, implements and maintains an organization-wide media training program.
- Protects and enhances the reputation of the American Cancer Society in the media. Delivers effective issues management and crisis communications on issues in the media or that could be issues in the media.
- Maintains and enhances the level of expertise and current knowledge about the evolving media landscape and field of media relations. Develops and maintains a strong knowledge of the American Cancer Society, its programs and its positions on key issues.
- Demonstrates measurable results and impact toward business objectives through meaningful metrics and reporting.
- Handles other duties as assigned.
Educational Background:
Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing or a related field.
Skills/Experience:
- At least 11 years of experience in a communications-related field, including several years in a management/supervisory capacity.
- Additional formal knowledge, skills and experience that would position this individual as a strategic communications leader for ACS are highly desirable. Such knowledge and experience may include experience in health care, corporate or nonprofit media relations; advanced degree; professional affiliations; diverse professional or overall life experiences; and other experience or training.
- Deep knowledge and understanding of the media, the newsroom environment and evolving dynamic of today's journalism through direct experience as a journalist and/or relevant public relations experience.
- Experience delivering media relations results to advance business, marketing and revenue objectives.
- Fluency and experience managing a team that communicates about cancer, health care or other public health issues, science or equivalent transferable experience with equally complex issues.
- Experience advising senior executives.
- Demonstrated relationships with national media, plus proven ability to engage media with whom there is no prior relationship
- The Society especially values candidates who add to the diversity of perspectives within Corporate Communications and the Society.
Demonstrates Leadership Competencies:
- Builds effective teams - Builds strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.
- Collaborates - Builds partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
- Courage - Steps up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said.
- Drives engagement - Creates a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives.
- Ensures accountability - Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments.
- Manages ambiguity - Operates effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear.
- Manages complexity - Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
- Strategic mindset - Sees ahead to future possibilities and translates them into breakthrough strategies.
- Other Skills:
- Results-oriented strategist and tactician
- Superior written and verbal communications
- Outstanding management skills
- Energetic, proactive, creative and collaborative leader and team member
- Exceptional professional judgment
- Highest ethical standards
SPECIAL MENTAL OR PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
- Limited physical activity required.
- Some travel may be required on as-needed basis.
Compensation/Benefits:
We are committed to providing staff with fulfilling opportunities to learn, grow and make an impact in their local communities. We offer staff a generous paid time off policy; medical, dental and retirement benefits, and professional development programs to enhance staff skills.
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
Dec 13 2018
Active Until:
Jan 13 2019
Hiring Organization:
American Cancer Society
industry:
Nonprofit