Are you ready to join an organization where you can be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives?
Envision all Americans enjoying ideal cardiovascular health free of heart disease and stroke. At the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA), we get to work toward that goal every single day. Is it easy? No. Is it worthwhile? you bet!
This is satisfying work that makes a real difference in people's lives. You can achieve professional growth with personal fulfillment. You will connect with people and make a lifesaving impact.
We have an excellent opportunity for a Communications Directorfor our Detroit and Ann Arbor markets. Will be based in our Southfield office.
To help you be successful you will have access to our award-winning learning platform the Heart U as well as various other training and support mechanisms locally and through our National Center.
The Communications Director sets and executes our communications strategy to promote AHA health and development priorities in assigned markets including earned media, social media, paid media, PSAs, media advocacy, messaging and storytelling.
- Proactively pitch AHA programs and events to the media on a local level.
- Oversee local social media sites, including the creation and promoting of posts.
- Negotiate and coordinate local media sponsorships for AHA programs and events.
- Execute strategy for media advocacy that advances local and state policy goals.
- Lead creation of market messaging for events and issues
- Recruit, engage and train local volunteers and staff to serve as AHA spokespeople in traditional, non-traditional and social media.
- Work outside of normal business hours and on weekends as needed.
- 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.
- Related experience may be substituted as follows: 1 ½ years experience equates to 1 full-time year of higher education.
- Knowledge of media and communications principles, ethics, practices and techniques, including technical requirements.
- Working knowledge of news media operations and news gathering.
- Ability to create and maintain key contacts within the media.
- Ability to recruit, organize, train, manage volunteers as well as ability to accomplish goals through them.
- Exceptional skill in written and oral communications
- Ability to do daily travel up to 40% and occasional overnight travel.
- Must have at least basic 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.