Interim Director Of Communications

JOB TITLE: Interim Director of Communications

REPORTING TO: Vice President, Social and Behavioral Science Research (SBSR)

LOCATION: New York, NY and Washington D.C.

JOBS SUPERVISED: Five to seven positions responsible for editorial and production services, content and knowledge management, library services, conferences and events, social media, and website.

ASSIGNMENT LENGTH: 12 months

POSITION SUMMARY: The Interim Director of Communications will join the Population Council at an exciting time, with a recently launched Strategic Plan 2023-2030 and increasing opportunities to advance our mission through longstanding relationships in the more than 30 countries in which we work around the world. This is a 12-month interim position because the Council is currently recruiting for its next President.

This position reports to the Vice President, SBSR, serves as an advisor to a dynamic Executive Leadership Team, and provides management and oversight of our global brand, communications, and dissemination of our scientific content to a range of audiences beyond the research community. The Interim Director will lead a team of communications and publications professionals and work collaboratively with researchers and scientists around the world to align communications and amplify content across programs and geographies, grow the Population Council’s sphere of influence, augment our communications platforms, promote and protect our reputation, and nurture diverse voices.

The ideal candidate will be a communications expert with experience in international development, global health, and/or research/academic sectors. They will have knowledge, understanding, and/or curiosity about the value of science and research; a commitment to the Population Council’s vision, mission, and values; and an appreciation of the breadth and depth of the work we undertake. The individual must also offer a track record of bringing people together, managing and motivating colleagues (both direct reports and beyond) to deliver results, and collaborating across diverse contexts and cultures. They must be willing to spend time and be excited by the opportunity to engage with the Council’s scientists and researchers around the world and understand how they can elevate colleagues’ work by packaging and promoting it for diverse audiences through a range of communication channels.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Leadership and Management (30%): Support Council-wide communication that advances our Strategic Plan, and that:

a) Secures opportunities to raise the voice and visibility of executive, scientific, and country leadership, providing talking points, speech material, and coaching as needed;

b) Intensifies digital and social media presence in both global and country-level contexts, including new digital and social media tools;

c) Strengthens media relations by building and maintaining relationships with relevant journalists and outlets and fostering opportunities to feature Council research and experts;

d) Aligns communications with the Council’s strategic plan to position the Council for funding and partnership opportunities based on our comparative advantage;

e) Supports the Council’s Agenda for Change — our commitment to become an antiracist organization and address wider issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) — in particular efforts to nurture and amplify diverse voices and insights, including those of colleagues in low- and middle-income countries; and

f) Analyzes engagement metrics, including web analytics, to course-correct and report on progress to the Executive Team.

2. Branding, Corporate Messaging, and Reputation Management (25%)

a) Ensure that brand, quality assurance, and editorial standards are consistently implemented across the Council, sensitive to geographic contexts, and in line with the Council’s values of DEI;

b) Curate content for and oversee production of corporate publications, including the Council’s Ideas that Matter e-newsletter, annual report, and the website;

c) Identify and manage potential communications and reputational risks and opportunities, and implement mitigation strategies; and

d) Work across the Council to foster a culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration.

3. Support Scientific Communications and Publications (25%)

a) Commission thought leadership and other high-profile content for publication in a variety of fora to raise the Council’s profile and bridge the gap between research and policy action;

b) Collaborate with programmatic divisions to identify and oversee high-level events to raise visibility and connect with key audiences; and

c) Strengthen capacity within the Council to communicate research findings to non-academic audiences through a variety of channels (e.g., science communications writing, digital storytelling, data visualizations).

4. Team Development and Management (20%): Manage and mentor a high-performing team of communication professionals responsible for:

a) Design, editing, and production of technical publications and content, including reports, briefs, and infographics, as well as the Council’s website;

b) Professional conference presence;

c) Scientific knowledge management including the Council’s library, external platforms (Knowledge Commons, Dataverse), and internal platforms (Pure, Altmetric); and

d) Provide day-to-day management support and mentorship to team members as well as management of functional budget.

QUALIFICATIONS:

We understand that there are many paths to acquiring expertise and experience and strong candidates may not have every qualification listed here. We encourage applications from individuals with diverse and/or nontraditional backgrounds who bring passion, skills, and experience in many or most of these areas.

1. At least 10 years of experience developing and implementing communications strategies to build an organization’s influence and impact, and enhance positioning, brand, and reputation, preferably with an international nonprofit organization, research/academic institution, or think tank.

2. Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree in journalism, marketing, business, communications, public health, international relations, or another related field preferred.

3. Exceptional English-language written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with a broad range of constituents, including senior management and multidisciplinary scientists.

4. Expertise utilizing digital and social media technologies to expand, engage, and influence both scientific and general audiences.

5. Demonstrated ability to lead, manage, and develop a team of communication and publishing professionals under direct supervision and embedded in Council programs and offices around the world to implement a wide range of activities including digital and social media presence, media relations, conference strategies, and corporate and technical publications and products.

6. Proven ability to work with and across diverse contexts and cultures, to collaborate with multidisciplinary scientists, and to work independently and within a complex international organization.

7. Finely tuned organizational skills, including ability to manage multiple initiatives effectively and efficiently.

8. Ability to travel internationally and within the U.S., as necessary.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Salary range between $128,749-$167,373 annually, depending on knowledge, skills, and experience. Excellent benefits package includes:

• Approximately 10 paid holidays;
• 24 annual leave and 12 sick days per year (accrued semi-monthly)*
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance available immediately upon hire;

We strive to provide an environment of professional growth and development.

• Pro-rated for part-time staff who work a minimum of 20 hours per week.

Application Deadline: August 31, 2023

When applying through the web portal please attach your CV and Cover Letter in Word or PDF format.

The Council requires all U.S.-based staff, interns, and fellows to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. New staff members must verify vaccination at the time of hire. For positions based in our international offices, new staff will be required to follow COVID-19 vaccination policies in accordance with local government guidance. Exemptions will only be considered for medical reasons and sincerely held religious beliefs. Exemptions are not guaranteed and must be discussed with Human Resources.

The Population Council is an international, nonprofit, nongovernmental institution that seeks to improve the well-being and reproductive health of current and future generations around the world and to help achieve a humane, equitable, and sustainable balance between people and resources. The Council conducts biomedical, social science, and public health research and helps build research capacities in developing countries. Established in 1952, the Council is governed by an international board of trustees. Its New York headquarters supports a global network of country offices. We are seeking an individual to fill the position described. If you know of a qualified candidate or are interested in this position, please apply at: http://www.popcouncil.org/employment/index.asp.

The Population Council provides equal opportunity; it does not discriminate against any person with regard to age, color, creed, national origin, disability, political belief, veteran status, religion, marital status, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Decisions on employment are based on an individual’s qualifications as related to the position for which they are being considered. The Council especially encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups including but not limited to Black people and people of African descent, Indigenous people, people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, including people who identify as transgender, nonbinary, or gender expansive, people with disabilities, first-generation college graduates, and those from communities with the most to gain from expanded access to sexual and reproductive health services and information. The Population Council is international in the composition of its board of trustees and its staff, as well as in the nature and deployment of its activities.