Our Pipeline
TB Alliance manages the largest pipeline of new TB drugs in history.
Department: Communications
Senior Director of Communications & External Affairs
Summary:
The Senior Director of Communications and External Affairs is a new role in the TB Alliance, with the successful candidate expected to manage the Communications function and actively contribute to the policy and advocacy work of the Alliance. She/he will be responsible for developing a proactive and responsive communications strategy that positions the Alliance as the leader in TB drug Research and Development (R&D) and Market Access with a compelling mission and a credible support-worthy partner. This strategy must be effective for multiple audiences including industry, public and private sector researchers, philanthropic and private donors, policy makers, government donors, media, global health advocates, TB experts, prospective employees, physicians and patients.
The objective of the Communications & External Affairs function is to enable the achievement of TB Alliance’s long-term goals, which includes broadening the base of financial support for the mission, enhancing our international leadership position in TB Drug R&D and Market Access and ensuring that external stakeholders are aware of our research and development work.
The successful candidate must bring a strong policy background that would enable her/him to lead communication efforts to help ensure the best policy outcomes for TB Alliance. This will encompass an ability to work with a diverse set of global health stakeholders across the spectrum of interests for the Alliance. As in all the work of TB Alliance, partnership and leveraging collaborations with a wide range of partners is essential for our success.
Furthermore, a critical factor in achieving success includes the skill to grasp scientific concepts and the underlying regulatory environment and helping to translate this into an effective overall communications strategy.
This role reports to the Senior Vice President (SVP) of External Affairs, will collaborate closely with the wider External Affairs team (encompassing Resource Mobilization, Community Engagement and Communications) as well as managing a small Communications team. This individual will provide leadership and oversight to all aspects of communications as well as participating, where appropriate, in representing the Alliance in policy discussions around TB and TB research and development and marketing of its products.
Position description:
- Develop and oversee the organization’s global communications strategy and define, evaluate, and evolve the organization’s brand as needed.
- Develop, and oversee, in partnership with the Senior VP, External Affairs, a targeted communications strategy for key markets, raising awareness of TB and global health issues of importance to the TB Alliance.
- Assist TB Alliance with advocacy-focused activities and enhanced visibility in key legislative and global health markets, including Washington DC, as well as Brussels and Geneva as appropriate.
- As needed, represent TB Alliance in policy discussions around TB and TB research and development with US and foreign governments and multilateral institutions.
- Implement key performance metrics for communications and create accountability reporting for results.
- Develop comprehensive global media plans for reputation building, support of major announcements, and help advance our leadership position.
- Develop organizational as well as program-specific messaging.
- Manage all digital communications including website and social media platforms.
- Develop an outreach and media approach with maximum leverage through our network of partners from academia, private and public sectors maximizing visibility for all.
- Ensure transparency and develop the plan for dissemination of research findings; manage the submission of manuscripts and abstracts for journal publication and presentation at key conferences. Manage the Alliance’s overall publications strategy – specifically relevant to our scientific publications.
- Work closely with other departments to facilitate the achievement of specific goals in stakeholder engagement, resource mobilization, Board communications, advocacy and policy development.
- Develop and implement, in collaboration with other TB Alliance stakeholders, an internal communications approach.
- Lead the development and execution of crisis communications plans; provide counsel and chart strategies that minimize reputational risk to the organization.
- Provide media training to senior executives and support spokespeople both inside the organization as well as scientific and other partners.
- Lead the development of TB Alliance’s materials including the annual reports, brochures, fact sheets, website, and videos.
- Select and manage relationships with outside suppliers including a public relations agency of record, graphic and digital design firms, printers, etc.
- Develop and effectively administer the departmental budget and direct both internal and outside communication resources to satisfy annual plans for communications programs.
- Manage the Communications team and provide oversight to external contractors and consultants
- Responsible for compliance with applicable GxP regulations in performing the functions of the job and attendance at annual GxP or other applicable regulatory training provided by the TB Alliance.
Ideal candidates will have:
- 10+ years professional experience in comprehensive broad-based communications, with emphasis on reputation building, media relations, and content development.
- Experience in advocacy and policy work with major US Government agencies (including but not limited to USAID, DoD, FDA, BARDA) and/or key multilateral agencies (including but not limited to the EC, HERA, relevant EC DGs, WHO, G20) strongly preferred;
- BS/BA degree in Business, Journalism, Media or other relevant field. Advanced degree would be preferred.
- Specific experience in TB, antimicrobial resistance, international public health, drug development, and scientific thought leadership strongly preferred. Ideally, experience will be primarily on the client side, with some agency experience helpful.
- Excellent networking and public speaking skills. A prior network with relevant media contacts is a plus.
- Excellent writing skills. Previous experience translating complex scientific and medical concepts into accurate, compelling communications (messages/articles/op-eds) that are easily understood by broad-based, global audiences is highly desirable.
- Ability to work individually and across the organization; excellent teamwork skills.
Location:
Position preferably located in New York, NY or Washington, DC. Other locations may be considered. Up to 30% travel, including international travel, may be required. TB Alliance is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Salary and Benefits:
As part of our overall compensation package, we offer comprehensive health benefits, generous retirement contributions, and work/life flexibility designed to support you and your family.
Starting salary is expected to be in the range of US$192,000 - $240,000 exact salary will be commensurate with skills and experience and adjusted to reflect local currency for candidates outside the US.
Along with a competitive salary, TB Alliance offers superior employee benefits centered on medical insurance with very low co-payments, high levels of coverage, resulting in overall coverage valued at the 95th percentile. The package also includes vision, and dental insurance for employees, spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children, life insurance/accidental death. 100% of employee benefit costs are paid by the organization, with coverage effective day one of employment.
TB Alliance also offers a retirement savings program in the form of a 401k plan with generous employer contributions and employee matching.
Additionally, TB Alliance provides generous paid time-off, paid parental leave, paid family leave, flexible-hybrid work schedules, tuition reimbursement, student loan repayment assistance, as well as professional development opportunities for all staff.
Organizational Information:
TB Alliance is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the discovery and development of better, faster, affordable tuberculosis drugs that are available to those who need them.Through innovative science and with partners around the globe, we lead a global effort to ensure development of and equitable access to faster, better tuberculosis cures that will advance global health and prosperity.
With an annual operating budget of approximately $60 million, the TB Alliance leads the advancement of the most comprehensive R&D portfolio of TB drug candidates in history. Additionally, the TB Alliance drives efforts to ensure regulatory approval, country adoption of new regimens, and widespread availability of new drug regimens to patients. For more information, please access the website: www.tballiance.org.