Director of Communications

Position Summary:

The Director of Communications is responsible for creating organizational communication strategies that will increase the visibility and brand of CURE to help elevate and drive the mission. This position will leverage his/her experience in communications, branding, public and media relations across the entire CURE portfolio and will work to enhance and grow the vision, strategic, direction, and execution of all CURE endeavors, overseeing the execution with a small team. As a key member of the senior management team, this position will report to the CEO and work closely with the senior staff and other members of the organization to ensure an integrated team effort on all communications, development and research initiatives that elevate CURE and its mission.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy

• Lead the development of a multi-year integrated strategic communications plan. 
• Lead and manage the on-going execution of the strategic plan while continuously responding to new communications challenges and opportunities.
• Work with leadership to set the vision for the communications and engagement strategy for the organization and provide creative leadership that drives the organization’s overall brand awareness per the strategic plan. 
• Identify opinion leaders, change agents and lead organizations in the epilepsy field and develop strong collaborations. 
• Serve as a counsel on all communication and engagement needs, including national and international media, crisis prevention, crisis response, and strategic positioning.

Brand Management

• Develop, maintain and enforce CURE style and brand guidelines and train staff on proper use. 
• Ensure brand consistency with design, functionality and messaging in all collateral, including print and digital media. 
• Develop, execute and manage "social marketing" strategies that drive awareness of the brand and mission. 
• Oversee editorial direction and design of all CURE publications and communication tools with a focus on audience segmented messages, branding initiatives and graphics standards. 
• Manage the development and maintenance of logos, trademarks, service marks, etc. 
• Ensure consistent articulation of the organization’s desired image and messages throughout CURE and all its stakeholders increasing its visibility in a manner that raises its fundraising potential.

Communications

• Develop integrated communications and engagement plans, project plans, strategies, analytics, metrics, reporting, budgeting and workflow management systems that drive the brand awareness of CURE while protecting and stewarding the CURE brand and mission. 
• Develop, execute and manage innovative communications campaigns that activate diverse stakeholders including: companies, researchers, pharma, hospitals, foundations, the community and individuals, in partnership with other CURE departments. 
• Develop and implement innovative, effective and ongoing digital plans and messaging across all channels and continually update strategy based on emerging trends and opportunities. 
• Responsible for the development of national, regional and local communications, public relations, and media engagement strategies, for the organization at large, with multiple teams and external agencies, as needed. 
• Maintain extensive and positive relationships with national media and serve as the organization’s media contact. Maintain real-time system of monitoring competition, media alerts and trends, making recommendations for proactive changes in the marketing strategy and opportunities for collaboration. 
• Maintain and build our database of media contacts. 
• Work closely with the research team to ensure CURE’s messages are communicated clearly to all of the organization’s constituents and conveyed throughout the organization’s communications materials.
• Work closely with the development team to oversee communication efforts to support fundraising initiatives across donor base; reach new donors, increase participation from current donors and renew lapsed donors. 
• Lead and drive the strategy for CURE video communication assets along with enhanced engagement and promotion for current and future PSA’s including video concepts, script development and video production. 

Education & Training:

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Business Administration or another related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in marketing, communications or public relations with demonstrated success, preferably in the not-for-profit or association sector. 
• Experience leading the creation and execution of comprehensive and strategic communications plans. 
• Demonstrated successful experience writing press releases, executive speeches and correspondence, making presentations and negotiating with media. 
• Excellent communication skills--both written and oral, ability to translate scientific content to lay understanding a plus. 
• Knowledge of the latest advances in effective use of digital and social media including online communities, search engine optimization and other digital marketing tools 
• Experience with budgeting, strategic planning, organizational development, and cost control, a plus.

Special Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• High-level strategic leader that will bring a thorough knowledge of communications, digital strategy development and innovative implementation to the organization.
• Strong project management skills, ability to juggle multiple tasks (manage multiple priorities within demanding time frames) and think both big picture and be “hands-on” and dive into the details. 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment. 
• Familiarity of current culture and industry trends with solid digital knowhow across multimedia campaigns. 
• Superior written, presentation and communication skills; strong negotiation skills. 
• Strong analytical, planning, forecasting, and budgeting/financial skills. 
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences including top stakeholders, board members, researchers, the epilepsy community and supporters

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Life, 403(b), PTO, Sick Leave, Paid Holiday’s and more.