Communications Officer

The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) seeks a Communications Officer to enhance its talented Communications team working to raise awareness about the FNIH’s contribution to the NIH mission, role in advancing biomedical research, and impact of its programs and events.

As Communications Officer, you will plan, develop, and coordinate internal and external communications across a broad spectrum of target audiences. These include research partners and scientists, key opinion leaders, philanthropic individuals and foundations, patient advocacy groups, NIH employees and leadership, FNIH employees, and science- and health-engaged consumers.

You will project manage the development of communications products in support of programs. You will use your writing and editing skills to translate complex scientific language into content easily understood by an educated lay audience. You will create talking points and draft event remarks for FNIH leadership. You will tell stories that make our work come alive.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Communications and working with a supportive, collegial team of communications professionals, you will implement communications, media strategies, and social media tactics using multimedia, including print and web-based vehicles. Your goal: to tell the compelling narrative of a 26-year-old organization that is profoundly improving the lives of patients around the globe.

Key Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Director of Communications, communications team members, and colleagues within the FNIH, develop and execute multi-pronged communications strategies to amplify key messaging about the FNIH and its programs in ways that enhance visibility and respect.
• Distill complex scientific messages into narratives accessible to science journalists, researchers, donors, the press, and the health-interested public, in forms including short articles, blogs, speeches, infographics, website content, social media, and video narrative.
• Draft press releases, announcements, web pages, newsletter articles, and other written materials about FNIH programs.
• Support social media strategies and implementation with posting text/content, video and images that engage our audiences.
• Proactively identify and explore new ways to communicate FNIH activities and programs. Stay informed of best practices and current trends in communicating that effectively increase share of voice/brand awareness.
• Identify opportunities and story ideas to catch the attention of reporters and garner earned media.
• Work with the FNIH’s PR agency and other outside communications vendors to ensure the FNIH receives the maximum benefit from those services.
• Engage other FNIH staff, NIH and partner communications teams, and the press to gain buy-in and participation in amplifying overall FNIH messaging and activities.