Senior Director, Marketing & Communications

Salary Range:

$145,000.00 To $150,000.00 Annually

Position Summary

The Senior Director, Marketing & Communications serves as the lead strategist, storyteller, and implementer for ASHG, shaping and executing an integrated marketing and communications strategy that advances the organization’s brand, educational products, membership, and events. This individual leads all aspects of marketing, website, communications, and public engagement — ensuring consistency, creativity, and measurable impact across interaction with the biomedical and clinical research community.

Reporting to the CEO, the senior director charts the course for marketing and communications, fosters cross-functional collaboration, and develops compelling messaging that promotes ASHG’s mission and offerings. This role is responsible for crafting and conveying the unique value proposition of the organization, inspiring engagement from the global genetics and genomics community — both within ASHG and among the broader public.

Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Marketing & Communications – 40%

• Develop and execute integrated marketing plans that prioritize target audiences, define outcomes, and measure success.
• Craft impactful messaging that communicates ASHG’s story, the promise and impact of human genetics and genomics research, the value of membership, and the benefits of ASHG’s products and services.
• Lead marketing efforts for ASHG’s Annual Meeting, member programs, membership, and educational events to increase engagement and attendance.
• Create an overall marketing strategy for membership acquisition and retention.
• Oversee branding across all communication channels including websites, social media, email, print, signage, and multimedia.

Digital & Content Management – 25%

• Manage ASHG’s website, including updates, development projects, and digital communications.
• Direct email marketing campaigns end-to-end: planning, targeting, testing, execution, reporting, and optimization.
• Lead marketing automation initiatives, including personalized landing pages and lead-generating campaigns.
• Oversee strategic advertising via Google Ads, Facebook, Twitter, and third-party publications.
• Create and manage multimedia marketing assets for new digital program offerings such as videos, podcasts, webinars, and other digital content.

Public & Media Relations – 20%

• Serve as ASHG’s media liaison and manage the development of media responses. Work with advocacy & policy team to craft public statements and responses. Proactively promote ASHG’s journal content and related activities to build ASHG’s reputation as a media resource.
• Monitor media coverage and produce reports on communications activities and issues. Develop a core group of “beat” journalists for increased coverage for general public.
• Cultivate and train a cadre of members to serve as organizational spokespeople.

Team & Project Management – 15%

• Manage communications team deliverables including annual reports, collateral, and website updates.
• Supervise staff and vendors supporting ASHG’s digital platforms and communications.
• Oversee budgets, billing targets, and campaign ROI.
• Serve as secondary staff liaison for the Public Engagement Advisory Committee and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Use data-driven insights (e.g., Google Analytics) to refine strategies and optimize campaign performance.

Skills & Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of proven success in a senior management role; corporate, association, agency, or non-profit organization.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in managing comprehensive strategic marketing and communications, media relations, and marketing programs to advance an organization’s mission and goals.
• 5+ years in food, health, nutrition, scientific societies, trade associations, and/or medical industry preferred.

Special Skills/Knowledge

• Collaborative and Service-Oriented – Builds strong working relationships and contributes positively to team dynamics; consistently delivers courteous and professional support to colleagues and external partners.
• Exceptional Communicator – Demonstrates excellence in both written and verbal communication, tailoring messages effectively for diverse audiences. Able to listen and synthesize, exhibiting high emotional intelligence.
• Team Player with a Positive Attitude – Approaches work with flexibility and a cooperative mindset, taking ownership and adapting to changing needs. Plays important role on management team to develop organizational cohesion.
• Results-Driven and Reliable – Follows through on commitments and maintains a strong focus on achieving outcomes.
• Proactive Problem Solver – Continuously seeks opportunities for improvement, offering thoughtful suggestions and practical solutions to challenges. Brings creative thinking to tackle complex topics/issues.
• Business-Savvy – Possesses a solid understanding of association operations and the strategic priorities of trade association members.

Working Conditions

ASHG offices are located in Rockville, MD near the North Bethesda Metro in office space with free parking, onsite fitness facility, and dining options. We offer a work environment with a great mission, collegial team, and professional trust and respect.

ASHG has adopted a flexible work environment that enables the employee to work with their supervisor regarding remote work and in-person activity. To achieve the needed functions of some positions, ASHG reserves the right to require in-person weekly office hours in ASHG’s Rockville office. This position requires in-person availability and willingness during key time periods or at the supervisor’s request.

• 37.5 hours/week, full-time exempt.
• Occasional evening or weekend meetings or events, and travel 1-2x/year, including the Annual Meeting each October.

Physical Requirements

• This position requires sitting (90%), standing (5%), and walking (5%).
• It requires computer work involving extensive use of keyboard, mouse, and monitor.
• Occasionally requires lifting materials of ~20 lbs.

Learn more here