Head of Strategic Communications

Overview of the Position:

The primary responsibility is to shape TB Alliance positioning and deliver communication strategies that advance organizational goals related to scientific accomplishments, product adoption and public health impact, funding and donor relationships, stakeholder trust and engagement, supportive global health policy, and widespread patient access.This position contributes directly to the achievement of TB Alliance’s long-term goals, which include broadening the base of financial support for the mission and enhancing our international leadership position in innovative TB therapeutics.

Position Responsibilities:

  • Develop a proactive communications strategy that effectively positions TB Alliance as a leader in innovative scientific R&D and access strategies within the global health field. with a compelling mission, credible track record, and support-worthy plans. 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. 
  • Proactively identify, prioritize, and represent the organization in strategic opportunities on global platforms, in media opportunities, and at public engagements, effectively communicating priority messages and strengthening the organization’s visibility and influence in global health policy and advocacy, particularly in key countries and among strategic audiences.
  • Bridge science, policy, advocacy, public health, and public understanding through a deep understanding of global health ecosystems, product development pathways, stakeholder engagement, and reputation management across diverse global and local audiences. 
  • Effectively position the TB Alliance as a respected voice through thought leadership, including a comprehensive publication strategy spanning dissemination of scientific results through patient impact.  Effectively deploy communication strategies to increase stakeholder and community engagement.
  • Define the organization’s brand strategy and evolve it as needed, strengthening recognition of TB Alliance’s broader role beyond TB R&D, including its contributions to global health innovation, access, and impact.
  • 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 accessible messaging, positioning the organization for scientific innovation and impact on patients and public health systems
  • 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.
  • Work closely with other departments to facilitate the achievement of specific goals in stakeholder engagement, resource mobilization, Board communications, advocacy and policy development, thought leadership, and internal communications.
  • 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 designated spokespeople both inside the organization as well as external parties representing TB Alliance such as scientific partners.
  • Lead the development of TB Alliance’s materials including the annual reports, brochures, fact sheets, website, and videos.
  • Develop and manage a strong communications team, including internal and external individuals with the array of specialized capabilities needed for success.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Requirements:

  • 15+ years professional experience in comprehensive broad-based communications, with emphasis on reputation building, media relations, and content development.
  • Specific experience 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.

Organizational Information:

TB Alliance is the recognized leader in accelerating the development and adoption of urgently needed new anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs.   Over the past five years, the transformative BPaL/M regimens have rapidly become the gold standard for drug resistant TB treatment, available at affordable prices in more than 150 countries and approved by regulatory agencies in 28 countries. Earlier, TB Alliance developed and introduced child friendly first line treatments endorsed by WHO and in use in over 123 countries reaching approximately 75% of the pediatric TB burden globally.  Looking ahead, TB Alliance is poised to exponentially drive the field forward again in the foreseeable future with innovative compounds such as sorfequiline and telacebec through late-stage development, approval, and introduction of the next transformative regimen(s) in tuberculosis and adjacent disease areas. 

TB Alliance is the proud recipient of the rigorously juried Prix Galien award for the life-changing impact on human health represented by the approval of pretomanid and the BPaL/M regimens   Additionally, TB Alliance was honored twice by the Global Health Technology Coalition (GHTC) with their Innovating for Impact award; TB Alliance is the only recipient to have been recognized more than once in the history of this award. 

TB continues to cause more deaths worldwide than any other infectious disease and disproportionately impacts marginalized populations as the disease is concentrated in the poorest of the poor, especially in lower- and middle-income countries.  The World Health Organization (WHO) reports an estimated incidence of 10 million annually with active TB, of which 410,000 have drug resistant forms of the disease. In addition, over 1.5 billion people are infected with the TB bacillus, forming the reservoir for the development of active TB. Despite the high degree of unmet need worldwide, lack of commercial viability severely limits commercial interest in this disease area and treatment improvements are largely dependent on financial subsidization through public sector and private sector funding. TB Alliance was established to fulfill the need for greatly improved TB treatment, deploying a unique not-for-profit operating model characterized by a small core of highly experienced internal staff with capabilities extending across the spectrum of discovery, development, and delivery through to achieving widespread access to improved TB drugs.  While US based, the TB Alliance has a global footprint with staff and partners in strategic locations throughout the world.

Compensation and Benefits:

As part of our overall compensation package, we offer a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, generous retirement contributions, and work/life flexibility designed to support employees and their immediate family. Starting salary is expected to be in the range of $215,000 – $290,000 exact salary will be commensurate with skills and experience and adjusted to reflect local currency for candidates outside the US.

Instructions:

Interested candidates may submit resumes to jobs@tballiance.org

Terms and Conditions:

Position is preferably located in greater NYC area; other strategic locations will be considered. Up to 20% travel, including international travel, will be required. TB Alliance is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the only standards for the position.  Other duties may be assigned.  TB Alliance has the right to revise this job description at any time.  TB Alliance is an “at will” employer and as such, neither this job description nor your signature constitutes any form of contractual arrangement between you and TB Alliance.