Science News Media Engagement, Senior Associate Director at Alzheimer's Association
Florham Park, NJ 07932
About the Job
DescriptionThe Alzheimer's Association's Senior Associate Director, Science News Media Engagement is an experienced, dynamic communications professional who creates, plans, and executes proactive research/science media relations efforts with consumer, science and health (trade) media targets. This includes researching, creating and refining pitchable stories; proactive pitch planning; active engagement with reporters for traditional and new media; engagement with and leadership of external media relations support; and fulfilling reactive media requests.
Responsibilities include driving media relations strategies and leading integration across all marketing communications channels, following and capitalizing on news media trends, and working effectively with internal and external constituents - especially staff and volunteer subject matter experts and spokespeople - to extend the reach and leadership position of the Alzheimer's Association. Key to these efforts is a thorough knowledge of the evolving news media environment with the goal of expanding the media targets, strategies and tactics used to communicate the Association's leadership. Plus, constantly tracking and understanding the evolving status of Alzheimer's/dementia research and clinical practice.
This person is expected to contribute to coaching the Association's national spokespeople, and also supporting the local Chapters in their media relations/communications efforts, building their capacity to communicate effectively about the Association's research and science initiatives.
Essential Job Functions
Grow the Alzheimer's Association's position as a leader in global Alzheimer's research through PR support of research/science initiatives. Coordinate effectively with the social media team, and the research and science marketing team.
Increase media impressions naming the Alzheimer's Association, focusing on research/science topics and our initiatives in particular, that demonstrate the Association's historical and ongoing leadership in this area.
Create, regularly update and drive execution of a 6-12 month pro-active pitch plan/calendar of story ideas.
Responsibilities include driving media relations strategies and leading integration across all marketing communications channels, following and capitalizing on news media trends, and working effectively with internal and external constituents - especially staff and volunteer subject matter experts and spokespeople - to extend the reach and leadership position of the Alzheimer's Association. Key to these efforts is a thorough knowledge of the evolving news media environment with the goal of expanding the media targets, strategies and tactics used to communicate the Association's leadership. Plus, constantly tracking and understanding the evolving status of Alzheimer's/dementia research and clinical practice.
This person is expected to contribute to coaching the Association's national spokespeople, and also supporting the local Chapters in their media relations/communications efforts, building their capacity to communicate effectively about the Association's research and science initiatives.
Essential Job Functions
Grow the Alzheimer's Association's position as a leader in global Alzheimer's research through PR support of research/science initiatives. Coordinate effectively with the social media team, and the research and science marketing team.
Increase media impressions naming the Alzheimer's Association, focusing on research/science topics and our initiatives in particular, that demonstrate the Association's historical and ongoing leadership in this area.
Create, regularly update and drive execution of a 6-12 month pro-active pitch plan/calendar of story ideas.
- Drive planning, brainstorming and regular updating of the plan. Incorporate traditional and online media, bylines, podcasts, blogs and local chapter strategies, when appropriate.
- Draft pitches, news releases and targeted media lists for each story. Identify and coach spokespeople. Identify and coach real people/characters. Lead creation of elements - art, graphics, video, photos - to illustrate the stories.
- Maintain and update broad and targeted media lists.
- Maintain regular contact with staff scientists to uncover news opportunities, including through the Alzheimer's Association's grantmaking, events/conferences, research studies and other science-related initiatives, both established and emerging.
- Establish and maintain additional needed relationships. For example: MedSci staff, Medical and Scientific Advisory Group, funded scientists, grant reviewers, conference program committee members, chapter-based communicators, other staff and volunteers.
Follow through on reactive news opportunities.
- Communicate with reporters; review scientific material; draft key messages (and appropriate background material), position statements, Q&A and quotes; arrange interviews; and identify and coach spokespeople.
Lead planning and execution of national and international media relations for:
- All Alzheimer's Association research, science and medical conferences (except the Alzheimer's Association International Conference), including events where the Association is a partner with other leaders in the field, such as the U.S. National Institute on Aging.
- ALZ-NET
Lead planning and execution of national and international media relations regarding the Association's research grantmaking, including regular programs and special initiatives such as Part The Cloud.
- Provide support for local media relations by awardees and the Association's local chapters.
Enhance the Association's PR infrastructure, capacity and resources for both national and local use.
- Conduct media/interview training and ongoing interview coaching of research spokespeople. Identify individual spokesperson needs and work to craft training to specifically address them.
- Create new and update existing tools to support media relations efforts and increase success.
- Build chapter capacity, independence and success in increasing local news media impressions naming the Alzheimer's Association.
Support other activities of the PR team, including:
- Assist with planning and implementation of the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC), and all Association scientific conferences.
- Support expanding PR for research studies that the Association is leading.
- Serve as primary liaison to the social media, digital strategy and integrated marketing teams for research/science topics.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Communications, or Journalism.
- Minimum 7 years professional public relations/communications experience.
- Public relations agency and/or health- or science-related organization experience preferred.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Experience managing detailed and scientific information, and "translating" it for a wide variety of audiences.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills in a high-volume environment and with multiple internal and external audiences.
- Ability to effectively set and meet deadlines; ability to manage multiple projects in a deadline-driven environment with changing priorities.
- Experience with collaborative, project-planning software (e.g., Monday.com) preferred.
- Ability to travel as needed. Some evening and weekend hours are required.
Position Location: Remote with travel as needed
Full time based on 37.5 hours per week minimum
Position Grade: 510 Exempt - Estimated Annual Salary Range ($102,500-$128,000)
Reports To: Director, News Media Engagement
Who We Are:
The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia- by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.
At the Alzheimer's Association, our employees are at the core of all we do. Our network of more than 1,900 employees across the United States makes a difference each and every day for those impacted by Alzheimer's and those at risk for the disease.
We warmly invite qualified applicants to consider this opportunity to make a life-changing impact on the millions living with Alzheimer's, their caregivers and those that may develop the disease in the future. Read on to learn more about the role, then visit our website www.alz.org/jobs to explore who we are and why we've been recognized as a Best Place to Work for the last twelve years in a row.
At the Alzheimer's Association, we believe that diverse perspectives are critical to achieving health equity - meaning that all communities have a fair and just opportunity for early diagnosis and access to risk reduction and quality care. The Association is committed to engaging underrepresented and underserved communities and responding with resources and education to address the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer's and dementia.
The Alzheimer's Association is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Employees working 24 hours/week or more are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, flex accounts, short and long-term disability, life insurance, long term care insurance, tuition reimbursement, generous Paid Time Off, 12 annual holidays and Paid Family Leave, as well as an annual Cultural & Heritage Day and Volunteer Day of their choosing. They are also eligible for our gold standard 401(k) retirement plan.
Full time employees (37.5 hours/week), will enjoy all of the above plus an annual School Visitation Day and an Elder Care Facility Day of their choosing.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with DisabilitiesThe contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
- Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Communications, or Journalism.
- Assist with planning and implementation of the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC), and all Association scientific conferences.
- Conduct media/interview training and ongoing interview coaching of research spokespeople. Identify individual spokesperson needs and work to craft training to specifically address them.
- Provide support for local media relations by awardees and the Association's local chapters.
- All Alzheimer's Association research, science and medical conferences (except the Alzheimer's Association International Conference), including events where the Association is a partner with other leaders in the field, such as the U.S. National Institute on Aging.
- Communicate with reporters; review scientific material; draft key messages (and appropriate background material), position statements, Q&A and quotes; arrange interviews; and identify and coach spokespeople.