Director Of Communications

IntraHealth is seeking a communications professional with the creativity and leadership to raise the organization’s visibility as a leader in global health.  S/He will be responsible for translating the broad and diverse array of IntraHealth’s achievements and capabilities into vibrant initiatives that effectively communicate to key audiences the organization’s technical results and innovative spirit.  The Director of Communications will direct an 11-person team of communications specialists, writers/editors, graphic designers and knowledge management professionals.  Reporting to the Vice President for External Affairs, s/he will work collaboratively with Directors and staff at all levels across the organization to ensure efficiency and synergy and to create accurate and consistent communications.  

The Director of Communications will be expected to quickly become oriented to IntraHealth International – to fully comprehend its history, mission, structure, operations, culture, programs and its staff at all levels, and to understand and articulate how the communications function fits within the long-range view and the recently completed strategic plan of the organization.  The Director will be expected to achieve the following during the first 12 to 18 months:

• Building on existing communications campaigns, initiatives and activities, establish and put in motion a more comprehensive, multifaceted communications program that increases our visibility, articulates our comparative advantage and aligns all communications messages, products and initiatives;
• Lead ongoing efforts to reposition and brand IntraHealth domestically and internationally as a world leader in strengthening the health workforce and building sustainable local capacity for expanding access to quality health services;
• Establish strong working relationships with the Vice President for External Affairs and other members of the Executive Team. 

The Director of Communications will also:

• Develop and execute the overall communications strategy and related priorities, goals, objectives and activities.  Design targeted communications campaigns involving creative partnerships and support broader organizational programmatic and business goals; 
• Provide leadership in the development and expansion of IntraHealth’s creative use of audio-video, information technology, internet and social networking to achieve communications goals;
• Build strong relationships with U.S. and country-based staff to effectively communicate IntraHealth’s successes to internal and external audiences and to build marketing and public relations capacity across the organization;
• Seek consistent, positive media coverage/presence of IntraHealth’s work and impact in the general media, as well as within the professional public health community.  Actively build and maintain productive relationships with a network of media contacts and press and communications staff among current and potential partners;
• Ensure IntraHealth’s worldwide projects and programs receive timely, quality communications-related technical assistance and support;
• Work closely with the fundraising team to align priorities and coordinate activities related to raising IntraHealth’s profile among current and potential donors;
• Provide leadership in strengthening internal knowledge management strategies and systems to facilitate access to key program and organizational information throughout the organization;
• Ensure that high standards of quality are maintained in all communication and knowledge management activities, products and events, including continuous review of “lessons learned” and “best practices;”
• Supervise senior communications and knowledge management staff; provide senior-level leadership to ensure that clear expectations, tools and resources are in place to achieve organizational goals and objectives; provide coaching and mentoring, as needed, to ensure that teams and individual staff members perform responsibilities to achieve desired results; encourage teamwork to meet overall objectives;
• Ensure that resources allocated to communications and knowledge management are used effectively and appropriately, and are aligned with available human and financial resources;
• Represent IntraHealth and advocates for its mission at national, regional and international conferences and events. 

Experience and qualifications include:

•  BA/BS in public relations, marketing, communications or a related field; advanced degree preferred; broad-based leadership and management experience as the director of a communications department, preferably in a complex not-for-profit organization, with a record of success in having created organizational change; knowledge of the field of global health and international development;
• A proven and successful track record in creating, organizing and overseeing a communications agenda and strategy from the broadest and most creative of perspectives;
• Ten or more years of experience in communications, marketing or a related field, with a minimum of five years of supervisory experience;
• Demonstrated experience in successful communications campaigns, initiatives or ongoing programs at the national or international level; ability to build, maintain and access a strong network of medial and related contacts;
• Advanced knowledge of the elements of publishing from editorial and graphics to printing, dissemination and use; highly conversant with a wide array of graphic design, publishing, video and audio equipment, software and web-based applications. 

The successful candidate should be or have the following:

• An energetic leader committed to IntraHealth’s mission and programs who understands and appreciates the value of working in a highly competitive environment with a dedicated group of professionals;
• A team builder and facilitator who is skilled at working in a collaborative environment; someone who imparts great credibility, good judgment and integrity, and can motivate others in a similar vein;
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work directly with senior management in support of the business strategy and in providing advice and counsel;
• Superior communications and writing skills, particularly the ability to persuasively advocate and articulate IntraHealth’s mission;
• Ability to develop and maintain strong external contacts; demonstrated leadership in conceptualizing, developing and implementing significant change strategies;
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines; to work an irregular schedule on occasion with the ability to travel 20 percent of the time; proficiency in a second language (French/Spanish) a plus;
• Proactive, results-driven, hands-on, highly communicative, collaborative and people-sensitive;
• Emotionally mature with a sense of humor in order to maintain balance and perspective.   

For immediate consideration, please forward CVs to intrahealth-communications@phillipsoppenheim.com.