Jobs

Position Description

***This is a remote position that can be home-based anywhere in the United States.  Candidates must have ability to work with East Coast work schedule.***

JOB SUMMARY

Lead the strategy, creation, and execution of federal and regional media advocacy for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Serve as a deputy to the Senior Vice President, directing comprehensive communications strategies that include executive, internal and heath equity communications, as well as social media. Provide expert advice and counsel to the ACS CAN President and Senior Leadership Team, American Cancer Society and ACS CAN CEO and Executive Leadership Team in partnership with ACS MarComm staff, advocacy and communications leaders, and others on all media advocacy issues. Serve as the lead staff liaison between ACS CAN and the American Cancer Society’s Media Relations Department; responsible for the integration and coordination of incoming media requests that straddle med/sci and advocacy content.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for strategic planning, including the development and implementation of aggressive, coordinated media advocacy communications strategies in support of ACS CAN’s federal and state advocacy priorities. Targets are external audiences including the media and policymakers, and internal audiences including Society and ACS CAN leadership, staff, and volunteers. The goals are to advance ACS CAN’s advocacy priorities and position the organization as the national leader in cancer and health policy.
• Oversee the federal and regional media advocacy teams and team interns, and manage the work of media, messaging, and polling consultants.
• Conceive of and direct proactive and reactive media outreach strategies aimed at elevating ACS CAN’s presence in national and regional media coverage of politics and policy. Develop ongoing relationships with key reporters, expand the universe of reporters who are familiar with ACS CAN and its advocacy priorities, and elevate ACS CAN’s “expert” presence in national and regional coverage of health, cancer, and advocacy.
• Develop and execute strategy around issues management, draft relevant communications and counsel ACS CAN leadership on appropriate engagement with relevant stakeholders.
• Drive strategy and execution of high-level communications signed by the ACS CAN President and in full coordination with ACS MarComm staff for the American Cancer Society and ACS CAN CEO, including op-eds; letters to the editor; advocacy updates sent to the boards, senior leadership, staff, and volunteers; messaging and quotes; and others.
• Work directly with the ACS CAN president, Senior Leadership Team, and other senior directors to ensure that media advocacy strategies are fully integrated in all ACS CAN activities. Coordinating with the ACS Strategic Director of CEO Communications, consult directly with the Society CEO and Executive Leadership Team; and consult directly with the ACS Pillar Leads, staff advocacy and communications leaders, and others in providing expert counsel on all media advocacy issues.
• Drive strategy in collaboration with the Senior Media Advocacy Program Manager to create and implement strategies that utilize paid print and broadcast advertising with the goal of advancing ACS CAN’s legislative priorities and elevating ACS CAN’s profile as the leading group nationwide on cancer and health policy.
• Devise and lead strategies to elevate advocacy communications capabilities across the country. Provide expert counsel and assistance in support of regional advocacy communications efforts.
• Play an instrumental role in driving strategy and execution of critical efforts to communicate with and educate internal audiences including Society and ACS CAN boards, Society and ACS CAN staff leaders, and Society and ACS CAN staff about ACS CAN’s mission-critical efforts and the importance of advocacy to defeating cancer.
• Work closely with the Director, Web Strategy and Director, Social Media to create and implement strategies that utilize the ACS CAN website and social media channels as communications tools that advance ACS CAN’s legislative priorities and elevate ACS CAN’s profile as the leading group nationwide on cancer and health policy
• Serve as a senior member of the ACS MarComm leadership groups, providing expert advice and counsel on advocacy communications and facilitate ongoing integration of multi-tiered interaction between media advocacy, digital advocacy and relevant MarComm teams.

Position Requirements

FORMAL KNOWLEDGE:

Minimum Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, political science or related field

SKILLS

Strong writing, supervisory, and organization skills. Proven track record in developing and implementing integrated issue campaigns with a focus on communications and media advocacy.

SPECIALIZED TRAINING OR KNOWLEDGE

Minimum 10-15 years’ experience in media relations, media advocacy or public affairs including national media relations. Experience with Capitol Hill press outlets desired. Media advocacy experience strongly preferred.

SPECIAL MENTAL OR PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Ability to travel when necessary; Position requires engagement in time sensitive communications that occur outside of traditional business hours.