Director Media Communications

About the Organization

Patients For Affordable Drugs is the only national patient advocacy organization exclusively focused on lowering prescription drug prices. 

We:

• empower and mobilize patients and allies, 
• hold accountable those in power and 
• fight to shape and achieve system-changing policies that make prescription drugs affordable people in the United States

The bipartisan organization, founded by a patient with incurable blood cancer, is independent and does not accept contributions from any organizations that profit from the development or distribution of prescription drugs.

About the Role 

Reporting to and collaborating with the Executive Director, the Director of Media and Communications leads P4AD’s national communications and media relations work. The ideal candidate is a creative problem solver with strong analytical skills, has a good eye for detail and for managing competing calendars and priorities, and comfortable making recommendations and implementing strategies for improvement. A successful Director of Media and Communications will be sophisticated and knowledgeable on the issues, players and politics of drug pricing. They will have excellent skills interacting with high level national news media. They will be dynamic, flexible, and creative, offering strategies and tactics to elevate patient stories, identify proactive press opportunities, and respond to rapid response scenarios quickly with good judgment. The Director of Media and Communications will play a key role in shaping the organization’s messaging and voice and will oversee all social and digital strategies.  

Position Responsibilities

• Strategy: 
• Lead strategic communications work for the organization including developing communications plans, identifying and pursuing new press opportunities, and helping shape strategic messaging to elevate the issue of high drug prices in the press in line with organizational values.
• Develop strategic messaging as it relates to our political goals and legislative priorities.
• Management: Manage and grow a communications team, build and sustain communications programs.
• Manage communications assistant:
• Oversee and delegate day-to-day tasks; clips, media lists, content creation
• Manage social media assistant:
• Oversee all messaging, tone, brand, accuracy across social media platforms
• Manage digital consultants: 
• Oversee direct acquisition advertising and other advertisements (TV, digital, radio and print) to maximize effective political targeting and messaging
• Work with vendors to inform strategy and design of email communications, conversion rate optimization tests, and lead generation
• Comms/PR:
• Manage all rapid responses including responding to drug pricing news as it happens, managing and prioritizing press requests, and preparing principals for rapid response press interviews. 
• Write and develop organization key talking points and news releases, statements, and prep documents rooted in P4AD messaging. 
• Prepare principals and press train patient advocates for news opportunities including writing op-eds and letters-to-the-editor, and TV and print interviews.
• Effectively manage the start-to-finish process of developing, writing, and releasing communications materials, including the editing and proofing process. 
• Develop and maintain relationships with drug pricing and health care news outlets and key reporters.
• Other general expectations: 
• Work across departments to weave effective communications into the work of other departments and amplify their work to the press. 
• Write and maintain a style guide. 
• Effectively prioritize communications tasks.
• P4AD values: ensure contents reflects our values: Patient-centered, Integrity and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Position Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience required.
• 8+ years communications experience with non-profits, Capitol Hill, political or advocacy campaigns, or similar is required. 
• Experienced at managing reporters and timely press requests.
• National communications experience required.
• Must be detail-oriented, self-starter, flexible, and able to manage multiple tasks at once and without direct supervision.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Preferred:

• Experience with drug pricing policy, access to medicines
• Desire to work for a mission-driven organization 
• Available for full-time (40 hours/week) employment in-person (hybrid set-up)
• Uphold P4AD values & contributes to building a positive team spirit.

Compensation and Benefits:

• P4AD provides competitive compensation and benefits including health insurance, life insurance, and 401(k) to its employees 
• Position is exempt, full-time, and will report to the Executive Director

To apply: please email [email protected]​ with your resume, “Media and Comms Director – Your Name” in the subject line and share short answers to these questions:

• Why do you want to work at Patients For Affordable Drugs?
• Why are you interested in the advertised role?

Patients For Affordable Drugs