Director of Communications

Reporting to the Chief Membership and Engagement Officer (CMEO), the Director of Communications plays a pivotal role in shaping and executing the organization’s messaging and outreach efforts in alignment with AAI’s strategic objectives. This position will involve close collaboration with AAI staff, AAI members, volunteer leaders, vendors, designated committees, and other stakeholders to enhance member benefits and services, ultimately meeting evolving member needs. This position manages two direct reports.

AAI is at a pivotal juncture in its illustrious history, with a firm commitment from its leadership to deepen engagement with existing members and attract new ones. The Director of Communications plays a key role in raising awareness among immunologists and scientists of the exceptional value provided by AAI’s programs and services.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Communication Strategy, Vision, and Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive and integrated communications strategy to enhance awareness of AAI’s value, programs, and services within the immunology and biomedical research communities, as well as among members, potential members, and other key stakeholders.
• Provide regular updates on performance towards established goals to the CEO, CMEO, AAI Council (the board), and committees.
• Identify opportunities, challenges, and emerging issues and collaborate with leadership and staff to devise and execute integrated strategies to leverage or address them.
• Support the CMEO and leadership team in developing alignment around organizational messaging.

Storytelling and Content Creation

• Serve as the primary storyteller and curator for AAI, overseeing the development, review, editing, and production of AAI content vehicles to ensure compelling and accessible content suitable for various communication platforms and diverse audiences.

Media Relations

• Establish a robust media relations program showcasing AAI members, their research, and noteworthy findings published in AAI journals and presented at the annual meeting.
• Generate media attention for the association through purposeful outreach, cultivating relationships with media outlets, journalists, and industry influencers.
• Pitch stories and draft and disseminate press releases; invite reporters to the AAI annual scientific meeting and conduct on-site press briefings.
• Provide media training and develop and share media response guidelines and best practices with key AAI storytellers, including executive and member volunteer leadership.

Public Relations

• Serve as a valuable resource for all public relations endeavors within the organization.
• Develop a strategic plan for AAI’s ongoing public awareness campaign, aiming to educate and inform key audiences about the connection between immunology and overall health, while fostering confidence in AAI as a trusted health resource.
• Manage the agency selected to support the public awareness campaign and act as a liaison to the Public Communications Committee.
• Leverage media relationships and collaborate with member volunteer champions to secure media coverage.

Digital Communications

• Develop a content strategy and oversee content management, including the website, the public awareness and annual scientific meeting microsites, social media, email, and e-newsletters.
• Establish and maintain a communications calendar.
• Provide guidance, training, and oversight for key content providers to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and consistency with AAI’s brand voice in communications.
• Implement tracking and reporting to optimize performance and enhance initiatives.
• Maintain an engaging, up-to-date AAI website that provides valuable information to members and the public.
• Manage AAI’s social media profiles on platforms such as Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, and LinkedIn to effectively engage with the immunology community and the public.
• Administer the email communication program, developing strategies for effective targeting and messaging to improve metrics and increase engagement, while maintaining a content calendar.

Executive Communications

• Offer support to executive leadership and the AAI Council in crafting effective talking points, speeches, press releases, and presentations.
• Provide guidance and counseling to senior executives on communication strategies and tactics, ensuring their readiness to handle media responses and ability to act as strong spokespeople for AAI.

Project Management

• Develop project management processes to ensure timely delivery of communications support and content.
• Develop internal communications processes.

Crisis Communications

• Develop and maintain a robust crisis communication plan and oversee crisis preparedness training.
• Lead rapid responses to crisis situations.
• Conduct post-incident evaluations to enhance future crisis communication strategies.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Excellent writing and editing skills across various communication channels
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with media and position subject matter for positive coverage
• Confidence in gaining credibility with leadership and influencers
• Ability to influence and engage teams and peers
• Deep commitment to Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI)
• Strong sense of self-awareness and transparency
• Adaptability to thrive in a changing environment and respond effectively to crises
• Strong analytical skills to assess the effectiveness of communication practices
• Passion for immunology and its role in human health
• Ability to travel up to 15%

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or a related field (or equivalent)
• Minimum of seven years of experience in a management role within a professional association
• Minimum of five years of experience in a director or senior-level administrative role
• Experience working with contractors and vendors
• Supervisory experience that includes developing team members
• Proven track record of strategic thinking and achieving organizational goals
• Budget planning and management experience

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Substantial digital background
• Experience in science, STEM, and/or medical communications

HOW TO APPLY If you believe you meet the requirements, please submit a resume, cover letter, and two writing samples to the following job link (or copy/paste link to a new window): Apply to AAI Director, Communications Additional inquiries and questions can be emailed to Beth Cessna at [email protected] or contact 202-232-1765.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF IMMUNOLOGISTS (AAI) The American Association of Immunologists, located in Rockville, MD, is an association of professionally trained scientists from all over the world dedicated to advancing the knowledge of immunology and its related disciplines, fostering the interchange of ideas and information among investigators, and addressing the potential integration of immunologic principles into clinical practice. The association serves its members by providing a center for the dissemination of information relevant to the field and its practices, organizing and sponsoring educational and professional opportunities, planning and presenting scientific meetings, addressing membership-derived issues and opinions, and responding to important funding and policy challenges.

AAI is dedicated to building a team of professionals that is as diverse as its members. AAI is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

ABOUT CESSNA & ASSOCIATES, LLC Cessna & Associates, LLC is a boutique HR consultancy partnering with mission-driven nonprofit organizations. Our goal is to identify the best potential candidates that the market has to offer. www.cessnasearch.com

The Power of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fuels Success Cessna & Associates embraces and celebrates the strength that diversity brings to our organization. Just as we are deliberate in our own pursuit of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, our efforts support our clients’ DEI success. We drive every search with an unyielding focus to create an even playing field for all candidates and assess their ability to be “