Senior Associate, Communications

POSITION OVERVIEW — WHAT YOU’LL DO

CityHealth, an initiative of the de Beaumont Foundation and Kaiser Permanente, works with America’s largest cities to adopt a package of health-related policy solutions that can help all people have access to have a safe place to live, a healthy body and mind, and a thriving environment. The Senior Associate, Communications position is a key member of the CityHealth team responsible for implementing the initiative’s communications plan and can include a range of tactics from messaging, digital engagement, media engagement, website management, writing (social media, blogs, op-eds, and reports), editing, presentation support, and virtual and in-person event management. This is a collaborative role that will work closely with internal and external team members, including the Communications Director (supervisor), Co-Executive Directors, Director of Government Affairs, and external partners. You will be expected to remain up to date on evolving policies and practices in communications, city policy, and public health, and use what you learn to recommend strategies and develop content to advance the goals and mission of CityHealth.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Your day-to-day work will include activities such as:

• Strategic Communications: Assist in the design and implementation of CityHealth’s strategic communications plan including identifying audiences, goals, tactics, and metrics to enable the organization to build on its past progress and expand its reach and influence.
• Relationship Management: Coordinate with various partners and stakeholders to provide regular and ongoing information sharing. This may include participation in regular communications calls with primary partners, working directly with subject matter experts and governmental relations professionals, and assisting with the content approvals process.
• Writing: Write, edit, and proofread print and digital content, including but not limited to website content, blog posts, social media, issue briefs, program overviews, case studies, and media materials.
• Website/Social Media: Create content for CityHealth.org and CityHealth’s social media channels in accordance with the initiative’s editorial calendar; post and update content on the website; and track and report on web and social analytics.
• Creative: Create or work with designers to create graphic content for print, web, social media, and presentations for a variety of audiences.
• Media Relations: Identify earned media opportunities, maintain media lists, assist in media outreach, and develop relationships with traditional and digital journalists. Develop content for proactive media outreach (announcements, reports, promoting the leadership of local officials, etc.) and reactive communications (responding to reporter inquiries, emerging issues, legislative developments, etc.).
• Project Management: Manage editorial calendar for web and social media content. This may require interfacing with communications agencies, digital consultants, website developers, designers, printers, photographers, videographers, partners, and others.

QUALIFICATIONS — WHO YOU ARE

The ideal candidate will have experience in advocacy communications, media relations, and digital communications and be able to juggle multiple priorities, take initiative, and thrive in a fast-paced environment. He or she will be able to think and work independently, but collaborate well with others, as well as recognize that sometimes work has to happen outside of routine business hours. The strongest candidate will also have policy, health, city, and public health knowledge.

To be successful in this job, you will excel in these areas:

• Mission-driven: You want to make a difference and have an interest in advocacy and cause-driven communications.
• Hands-on: You are strategic and contribute ideas but are also able and eager to implement them.
• Entrepreneurial: You anticipate challenges and opportunities and raise them proactively to optimize outcomes down the line. You take initiative and run with new ideas.
• Data-oriented: You seek out what works and what doesn’t and find ways to learn from metrics to refine strategies, focus efforts, and pivot when needed.
• Audience-focused: You understand the importance of tailoring messages, channels, and format to different audiences and can action this nuance through marketing tactics.
• Resourceful: You find practical and effective ways to accomplish tasks and are willing to ask questions and research options when facing a new project.
• A multitasker: You are comfortable with juggling multiple projects and priorities at once, as well as finding and capitalizing on the connections among them.
• Ownership: You care deeply about doing what it takes to achieve results and can manage your own projects (or pieces of larger ones). You drive work forward with a sense of urgency, anticipate problems, and course-correct when needed, with limited oversight.
• Initiative: You are eager to use your role to advance CityHealth’s mission and look for ways to help beyond your own core responsibilities. That said, no job is too small for anyone on the team, and your attitude reflects that.
• Relationship management: You have a good sense of how to manage relationships with members, staff, and partners, as well as build new relationships. You handle confidential information sensitively and use discretion about what information you share with members and partners.

The ideal candidate will possess the attributes above and many of the following professional abilities and experiences:

• At least six years of experience in strategic communications, preferably including advocacy communications.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills. Ability to translate complex subject matter for a general audience.
• Knowledge of AP style and common citation formats, such as MLA.
• Experience developing and implementing editorial plans, including social media content.
• Comfort and hands-on experience with digital systems and tools, such as WordPress, Google Analytics, MailChimp, Adobe programs (including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign), project management systems (Asana), and paid digital (Google AdWords, SEO, social media marketing, etc.).

WHO WE ARE

CityHealth is an initiative of Kaiser Permanente and the de Beaumont Foundation. Our mission is to advance a package of evidence-based policy solutions that will help millions of people live longer, better lives in vibrant, prosperous communities. CityHealth regularly evaluates cities on the number and strength of their policies. We are a small, highly driven team, who value excellence, pushing boundaries, balance, frequent communication, and a well-timed joke. We are deeply committed to equity and believe strongly that local policy solutions have the potential to improve the lives of millions of Americans.

CityHealth is housed within the de Beaumont Foundation, and the CityHealth Co-Executive Directors have primary oversight of the project’s activities. The person hired for this position will be an employee of the de Beaumont Foundation and will report to CityHealth’s Director of Communications.

HOW TO APPLY

This position is full-time and based in downtown Bethesda, MD, just outside of Washington, DC. de Beaumont uses a hybrid work model, with employees working in the office on some days and from home on others; individual staff members’ work schedules are confirmed with direct supervisors. However, a few Foundation staff are fully remote, and a full-time remote work arrangement can be negotiated for the right candidate. All de Beaumont employees are required to attend quarterly all-staff meetings at the office in Bethesda.

Compensation is commensurate with experience. The salary range is $85,000-95,000. The Foundation also offers excellent benefits and a collegial work environment.

To apply, email your resume and cover letter as an attachment to jobs@debeaumont.org by April 14, 2023.  Please reference “CityHealth Senior Associate, Communications” in the subject line. Early submission is encouraged as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

The de Beaumont Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Employment opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established under law.

Application deadline: April 14, 2023

Publication date: March 8, 2023