To Apply: Please send a resume to careers@coacancer.org. No calls please.

The Community Oncology Alliance’s (COA) is seeking a Director of Communications to oversees strategic communications to advance the mission of this leading national cancer advocacy organization.

The goal of the Director of Communications is to implement a communications strategy that ensures COA is viewed as the leading source, disseminator, and conduit of information about issues related to independent, community oncology, where the majority of Americans with cancer are treated.

Reporting to COA’s Managing Director, this senior leadership role is responsible for overseeing and implementing a multifaceted external communications, internal communications and public relations strategy. Key activities include executing a large volume of communications writing (press releases, op-eds, newsletters, etc.); managing a very active media relations effort; supporting advocacy efforts around emerging public policy issues; ensuring robust and ongoing membership communications; executing a thoughtful digital strategy (websites, social media, email channels, etc.); and developing or maintaining core collateral to consistently articulate COA’s work and mission.

The Director of Communications works closely with other COA team members to be communications partner on all strategic initiatives to ensure high quality communications strategy and standards are met. COA maintains a broad array of professional networks and initiatives, host many events, and executes special projects that benefit from communications support and guidance. The communications team serves as both a counsellor and content developer for these activities.

Communications is recognized as a critical component of COA’s work and highly valued by the organization. The Director of Communications will continue to build upon an already successful communications department with one current junior direct report (a senior manager of communications). They will have the ability to utilize internal and external vendors with a dedicated budget and opportunity to secure special project funding when needed.

The ideal Director of Communications will be a seasoned leader who is a combination of a hard work doer and creative thinker. We are seeking a senior, confident authority who can provide sound strategic counsel, help build and manage a communications plan, and roll up their sleeves to do the day-to-day work.

COA is a fun, supportive, and closed-knit team that respects work the life-balance of its employees. We hope you will join us in our mission to advocate for a vibrant, successful, and accessible cancer care system for all Americans.

Specific Responsibilities

• Ensure the communications strategy is consistent and reflects the organization’s mission and strategic vision.
• Manage all the organization’s internal and external communications output.
• Write, edit, or otherwise contribute to a broad array of communications products, including press releases, newsletters, and reports.
• Provide communications support to COA’s federal and state advocacy efforts through the various communications channels and resources, including digital advocacy tools.
• Conduct proactive and reactive media relations through regular press releases, statements, report releases, roundtable gatherings, and other strategies.
• Build and manage relationships with national and trade media outlets.
• Implement a robust digital strategy utilizing social media, website, email, and other emerging platforms to communicate the organization’s activities and grow our online supporter base and traffic.
• Produce and publish mass communications on COA’s activities and success to our various audiences through regular email blasts and marketing campaigns.
• Oversee membership communications via email and direct mail for COA’s annual membership appeals, growth efforts, and regular updates.
• Refine core messaging to ensure organizational consistency in all aspects of communications including development, organizing and education.
• Manage the development and publication of multimedia content related to COA, our work, and our members for all of the organization’s digital properties, social media, live events, and oncology practice waiting room or back-office networks.
• Collaborate with the events team to provide polish to COA’s conferences and meetings, including branding, marketing, signage, materials, and more.
• Serve as a communications partner to other members of the team to ensure COA’s message and products are professional and impactful.

Skill Set

• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in communications or public relations.
• Proven senior level communications leader with experience developing and implementing a multifaceted communications strategy.
• Strong understanding and interest in Federal public policy and politics.
• Communications experience with health care issues preferable; experience with cancer issues ideal.
• Team player who can work effectively within a virtual organization structure.
• Excellent communications skills, both verbal and written. Ability to write original works and edit at a superior level a must.
• Leader and doer, not a follower.
• Creative and strategic thinker.
• Must understand and embrace digital communications platforms and their unique strategies, including email and social media.

Compensation

• Compensation commensurate with experience.
• Bonus potential.
• Complete benefits package including health, disability, and life insurance.
• 401K with company match.

Location & Travel

• Remote position. Northeast/Mid-Atlantic preferred; northeast corridor (DC, NYC, Boston, Philadelphia) ideal.
• Travel 6-8 times a year to DC, Virginia Beach, required events (e.g. national conference), practice site visits and film shoots.

TO APPLY

Please send a resume to careers@coacancer.org. No calls or follow-up emails, please.