Director, Public Affairs

The Director of Public Affairs serves as a strategic leader responsible for advancing ACOG’s mission, strategic goals, and brand focused on external audiences such as media stakeholders and the general public.  This role helps support the organization's public policy agenda and amplifies its voice on critical women's health and physician practice issues. This role combines communications, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement to shape public discourse, and strengthens ACOG's position as a trusted authority in women's health and health policy.

Note: This position is considered Hybrid and will need to commute to ACOG's office located in Washington, D.C.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position does have direct supervisory responsibilities and includes serving as a coach and mentor for the public affairs team.

 Duties/Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement effective communications and media strategies, campaigns, and materials, managing ACOG's media presence with media outlets.
• Target key audiences by reaching and influencing consumer-facing, health, and policy media outlets at the national, regional, and state levels to promote clinically accurate media coverage of issues related to the field of obstetrics and gynecology.
• Supervise a team, currently consisting of 3-5 people, responsible for strategic external communications, crisis communications, and stakeholder management.
• Support the management of the organization's reputation and image, generate positive media coverage through strategic use of communications channels and messaging.
• Collaborate across divisions to balance the communications and messaging needs of the organization and maximize ACOG's influence and impact.
• Support the organization's crisis communications response resulting from external or internal events that give rise to heightened reputational risk or may affect ACOG's impact and influence.
• Develop annual public affairs strategic plans with measurable goals and budget oversight.
• Respond to media inquiries and provide background education to reporters, as necessary, prior to interviews.
• Monitor, track, and circulate to stakeholders, relevant media activity relating to ACOG.
• Provide guidance to local Districts and Sections on how to align with and support ACOG's media presence in their local areas.
• Oversee development of social media messages and media-related materials, including press releases, media statements, op-eds, letters to the editor, and presentations for consumer and professional outreach to promote and support the mission, advocacy work, guidelines, recommendations, statements, and events.
• Work with relevant departments to identify needed policy- and advocacy-related resources and support the development, approval, and launch/promotion of the resulting resources.
• Conduct and support media training for staff and members who serve as experts and spokespeople for media coverage, including how to effectively answer media inquiries and respond to emerging issues, including preparing remarks as required.
• Support the strategy, planning, organization, and attendance of briefings, press conferences, and other events on a variety of women's health issues.
• Develop and foster strategic relationships with partner organizations to align strategies, messages, and materials.
• Work effectively with the organization's board of directors, senior leadership, and member experts to facilitate effective communication, public relations, and member engagement.
• Collaborate on a variety of communication strategies on how to support current positions while advising on the public or media sensitivities or trends.
• Provide leadership, direction, and management of staff, including fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment through supervising staff, providing feedback, coaching, support, mentoring, performance management, and training and development opportunities as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Exceptional communication skills with experience in media relations and public speaking
• Must have experience in health media and substantive related knowledge of health topics/content.
• Proven dedication to complex issues and ability to quickly comprehend and develop messaging around complex health situations.
• Must have solid understanding and experience with media operations and news organizations. Experience answering a high volume of media inquiries as well as preparing and actively pitching media/press materials (statements, reports).
• Excellent written (statements, op-eds, press releases) and verbal communication skills (particularly in dealing with the media in a polished, professional manner).
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work well in a team and independently.
• Demonstrated ability to meet tight deadlines and work under pressure. Strong leadership, staff management, and project management skills and attention to detail a must.
• Experience managing teams and budgets.
• Ability to travel. Must be available to respond to news media and staff in the field after working hours.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public affairs, or a related field;
• 7-10 years of direct hands-on, progressively responsible positions in media relations and communications. Health non-profit/medical society/women's health experience preferred.
• Minimum of 3-4 years of supervisory experience, including managing media staff and supporting executive-level leadership.

Our Perks

Paid Parental Leave – Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace –  Flexible work schedule –  Commuting Allowance – Generous Paid Time Off – Holiday Pay – Life Insurance – Community Volunteering Opportunities – Generous 401(k) Company Contributions – Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance – Learning Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement – Company-Sponsored Team Outings – and more!

ACOG is an EEO employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. As a federal government contractor and in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and Executive Orders, the College takes affirmative action to ensure that applicants and employees covered are not discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, national origin, sex (gender), age, disability, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic that is protected by applicable law. For more information about your equal employment opportunity rights, please view this poster: EEO is the Law. The College also participates in E-Verify.