National Association Of Community Health Centers Inc

Compensation

Full Description

Job Title: Director, External Affairs and Engagements Location: Bethesda, Maryland (Hybrid) Reports To: VP, Communications and External Affairs FLSA Status: Exempt ________________________________________ About NACHC: Founded in 1971, the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) serves as the leading voice for America’s Health Centers and the people and communities they serve. NACHC works to promote the provision of high-quality, affordable, community-based health care to everyone, particularly to underserved populations. ________________________________________ Position Summary: This position plays a key role in elevating the voice of community health centers (CHCs) nationwide. Reporting to the Vice President of Communications & External Affairs, the Director is responsible for integrated communication campaigns, strategic communications, external relations, media engagement, and stakeholder outreach that supports CHCs, state/regional Primary Care Associations (PCAs) and Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCNs), national advocacy efforts, and the broader CHC movement. This position works closely with cross-functional teams across the association to ensure consistent, timely, and coordinated outward-facing communications. The Director is instrumental in shaping public understanding of CHCs, strengthening national advocacy efforts, and positioning the association as a leading voice for primary care access and health for all. ________________________________________ Key Responsibilities: 1. Strategic Communications • Partner with the VP, Communications and External Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy and integrated communication campaigns that strengthen the national profile of NACHC and CHCs. • Ensure messaging reflects organizational strategic priorities around advocacy, workforce, funding, care delivery readiness, Medicaid/Medicare policy, and health for all. • Lead the development and oversee communication campaign planning and tracking tools, including workplans, project matrices, editorial calendars, analytic reports, etc. • Develop and disseminate communication toolkits, key messages, and resources to support CHCs, PCAs/HCCNs, and partner organizations around national advocacy campaigns and public visibility efforts. • Develop digital communications training and best practices resources for health centers. • Coordinate with crossfunctional teams to support capacitybuilding for CHCs, PCAs/HCCNs around communications and external engagement. • Oversee content development of newsletters, campaigns, annual reports, thoughtleadership materials, fact sheets, website content, digital resources, and public education materials. • Ensure all communications reflect NACHC strategic priorities and CHCs’ mission and highlight their impact on medically underserved communities, health for all, and primary care transformation. • Support the ongoing refinement and execution of a unified l narrative highlighting CHCs’ impact, innovation, and role in the primary care safety net. • Working with the VP of Communications, assist in managing workstreams for freelancers and NACHC’s communications firm and vendor relationships. • Supervises two direct reports: Deputy Director of Multimedia Engagement and Deputy Director of Speechwriting. 2. External Affairs & Media Relations • Lead implementation of national engagement and media strategies, cultivating relationships with association members, key stakeholders, health policy reporters, media outlets, and other health influencers. • Draft and distribute talking points, press releases, media advisories, statements, and rapidresponse messages on policy developments, emergencies impacting CHCs, and CHC/movement activities. • Manage sensitive or complex media situations, working closely with the VP and Policy teams on issues involving Congress, federal agencies, or political scrutiny. • Prepare NACHC leaders, CHC representatives, and PCA/HCCN partners for media interviews and events. • Provide guidance to CHCs, PCAs/HCCNs, and partner organizations on media relations, messaging around policy issues, and effective storytelling. 3. Executive Communications and Stakeholder Engagement • Draft talking points, opeds, remarks, testimony, and executive communications for the CEO, Board Chair, and senior leadership. • Support leadership in delivering key messages at national conferences, partner meetings, Hill briefings, PCA meetings, federal agency convenings, and major health events. • Support partnership strategies that elevate the visibility of CHCs in national policy and health for all initiatives. • Represent NACHC in national coalitions, working groups, campaigns, and strategic initiatives related to primary care and health for all advancement. 4. Digital Media Management • Working with the Deputy Director, Multimedia Content and Engagements, maintain and monitor social media/digital platforms and take ownership for accelerating engagement on each platform—including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, LinkedIn Groups, YouTube, podcast platforms. • Monitor NACHC blogs to ensure high writing standards and consistency in terms of messaging, branding, and accuracy in data presentation. • Track, analyze, and report on the impact of NACHC’s digital presence and key performance metrics and provide reports using Google Analytics, Facebook Insights, etc., identify trends and insights, and recommend areas for improvement. • Develop digital communications training and best practices resources for health centers. • Proactively assess and recommend adoption of emergent technologies and strategies. • Devise and implement appropriate strategies to drive adoption of social media tools and best practice by NACHC staff. • Regularly review and recommend social media policies and guidelines. • Oversee social media engagement efforts related to national conferences. • Supervise two direct reports: Deputy Director of Multimedia Content and Deputy Director of Speechwriting. 5. Content Creation • Write, edit, repurpose and deliver a wide variety of content for blogs and digital channels and conference newsletters. • Liaison with internal stakeholders and gain signoff for publishing as necessary. • Use tools and software to create graphics, podcasts, images, and videos for purposes of telling the health center story. ________________________________________ Required Qualifications: • Bachelor’s Degree • 8+ years of experience in strategic communications, external affairs, or media relations, preferably in healthcare or public health settings • Experience developing short and longform editorial content for all media platforms and copyediting proficiency • Proficiency using content management systems and/or media databases (e.g. Muck Rack, Meltwater, Sprout Social, etc.) • Strong understanding of communications, external affairs, digital media principles and practices • Experience managing direct reports • Travel up to 10% of the time.Key Skills & Competencies: • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite • Proficiency with digital communications design software and platforms • Strong leadership and interpersonal skills • Excellent written and verbal communication skills • Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously and working in a client (external or internal) facing role is preferred • Ability to work independently and as part of a team • Strong analytical and problemsolving skills • Excellent project management and people management skills • Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines ________________________________________ Why Join NACHC? At NACHC, you’ll be part of a dedicated and collaborative team working to improve the health and well-being of communities nationwide. We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for growth in a purpose-driven organization. Salary: $137,000-$178,000