The American Heart Association (AHA) has an excellent opportunity for a Communications Director in our Midwest Affiliate covering our Northwest Indiana market (Gary, South Bend, Fort Wayne). If located in Northwest Indiana, the position will be home officed based. If located in Chicago or Indianapolis, the position will be based in the AHA office.
The Communication Director develops and executes communication strategy to promote AHA health and development priorities including earned media, social media, paid media, PSAs, messaging and storytelling through traditional, non-traditional and social media. Develops and implements media events. Develops media materials and other tools to inform key audiences about heart disease and stroke. Ensures branding compliance with the AHA/ASA brand and cause initiatives sub-brands. Provides communications counsel to local staff and volunteers. Assists with crisis communications and sensitive issues on an as-needed basis.
Serve as ambassador for AHA brand working closely with external volunteers, media, donors, sponsors and the general public. Works through volunteers to maximize local communication efforts in the market. Interacts with volunteer leadership, senior management, local staff, news media, outside organizations and the general public for the purpose of enhancing the American Heart Association public image and increasing the flow of news and other information to the media. As applicable, develops, supports and implements limited cause initiatives activities in conjunction with market-level staff and volunteers.
Work in collaboration with health staff to develop and implement strategies that advance progress toward health goals, including appropriate media advocacy and community positioning strategies.
- Develop and execute market communications plans that promote the AHA’s mission and local health and development priorities. Tactics can include earned media, message development, PSAs, social media, paid ads, oversight of video production, etc.
- Advance the work of and position the AHA as a leader in the community by actively engaging with coalitions and strategic partners. Focus efforts on messaging and communications-related activities.
- Lead creation of market messaging for events and issues including talking points, event scripts, run of show for major events, social media, media materials, ads, etc.
- Develop relationships with local media to increase awareness of the AHA. This can include traditional and non-traditional media outlets and should reach diverse populations appropriate for the market.
- Negotiate media sponsorships, which includes PSAs, emcees, social media messaging and other collaborative opportunities. Place national PSAs as appropriate.
- Work in collaboration with health staff to develop and implement strategies that advance progress toward health goals, including appropriate media advocacy and community positioning strategies.
- Recruit, engage and train local volunteers to serve as AHA spokespeople in traditional, non-traditional and social media.
- Develop and implement social media strategies to educate and raise awareness of AHA’s mission.
- Work collaboratively with the metro executive director and other key market staff to develop integrated approaches to local market sponsorships. Actively identify and manage local communications activation opportunities for top sponsors.
- Responsible for overall brand management in the market.
- Willingness to accept other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Senior Director of Communications.
- Work with staff leadership to manage local crisis communications or sensitive issues as needed.
- Related experience may be substituted as follows: 1 ½ years experience equates to 1 full time year of higher education.
- Must have at least 2 years of experience in public relations communications, public relations, marketing, or journalism. This experience may also count towards satisfying this position’s educational requirement. Nonprofit experience preferred.
- Knowledge of media and communications principles, ethics, practices and techniques, including technical requirements.
- Exceptional skill in written and oral communications, including business writing, news writing/editing for print and broadcast, conversing by telephone and conducting presentations to large or small groups.
- Knowledge of community organization, program, fundraising and marketing principles, practices and techniques is preferred. Voluntary health agency experience preferred.
- Ability to recruit, organize, train and manage volunteers. Ability to delegate and accomplish goals through volunteers.
- Ability to understand and interpret scientific and medical information and rewrite for lay audiences is preferred.
- Ability to travel up to 40%.
- Access to reliable transportation and ability to maintain valid driver’s license and auto insurance.
- Must have at least intermediate knowledge and skill with Microsoft Office 2010 or higher used for word processing, email, presentations, and spreadsheets. Advanced knowledge and skill with these programs is preferred. These skills are subject to testing.
- Ability to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds with the expectation that items in excess of 20 pounds would be broken down into smaller components or additional assistance is required before lifting and/or moving.
Attracting talented, committed employees means offering a competitive benefits package, ongoing professional development and training, and a diverse and inclusive environment in which to work and grow. And we do.