The American Heart Association (AHA) has an opening for a Communications & Marketing Director in Tampa Bay, Florida. This position will focus on developing and implementing communications and marketing plans that promote AHA's strategic priorities, events and cause initiatives within the Tampa Bay market. Responsibilities include developing and implementing media events, developing media materials and other tools to inform key audiences about heart disease and stroke. This position will also assist with crisis communications and sensitive issues on an as-needed basis. The position interacts with volunteer leadership, senior management, component staff, news media, outside organizations and the general public for the purpose of enhancing the AHA’s public image and increasing the flow of news and other information to the media with the overall goal of supporting and impacting the strategic fundraising activities of the AHA.
- Develops/implements communications plans that promote the AHA's programs, events and cause initiatives.
- Writes/distributes news releases and other media materials as appropriate to local media.
- Pitches/places stories in traditional and non-traditional media.
- Manages AHA local social media channels.
- Secures media participation in support of AHA events.
- Develop media sponsorship proposals and secures media sponsorships as appropriate.
- Conducts media relations activities to support cause initiatives and other key events/activities.
- Implements awareness campaigns on topics such as heart disease, acute events, women’s heart health. Works collaboratively with other key market staff to develop an integrated approach to such campaigns.
- Works with staff to ensure that branding guidelines are followed locally.
- Helps fulfill public relations needs of corporate sponsored programs.
- Identifies, secures and media trains local AHA spokespersons.
- Works with internal fundraising staff to determine roles/responsibilities and provide support as appropriate.
- Identifies human interest stories to be used for generating media coverage.
- Tracks all media interactions and develops/maintains AHA spokesperson database.
- Develops and implements media events, such as survivor recognition events.
- Works to place Public Service Announcements (PSA) locally.
- Works with VP-Communications and Marketing to manage local crises or sensitive issues.
- Develops and oversees implementation of communications plans for local fundraising events as appropriate.
- Promotes national health and science news to local media.
- Works in collaboration with media advocacy staff to develop appropriate media advocacy strategies and implements strategies as appropriate.
- Works with VP to manage local paid advertising projects.
- Manages and implements other projects as identified by the VP.
- Travels as required within the assigned territory.
- Minimum of three - five years’ work experience in communications, public relations and journalism or any equivalent combination of training and work experience.
- Experience applying the principles and practices of communications and marketing to the non-profit environment.
- Experience working as a team member with multiple internal and external constituencies: staff, media, external corporations and volunteers.
- Experience with crisis communications and buzz marketing.
- Experience implementing public relations campaigns, pitching to media, planning media events and development of press releases.
- Exceptional oral and written communications skills including specialized experience in speech writing, general business writing, writing and editing for both print and broadcast media.
- Working knowledge of news media operations, newsgathering and technology.
- Ability to travel to local meetings and events as required, and travel occasionally throughout the affiliate and to the AHA’s National Center headquarters in Dallas, Texas as needed. L