Director of External Relations and Communications

COG Research Foundation, LLC (Research Foundation) is a California 501(c)(3) entity founded in 2024 to serve as a fiscal sponsor to support research programs by providing legal, fiduciary, and administrative oversight for the program. The Research Foundation serves as the fiscal sponsor for the Children’s Oncology Group (COG).

COG, a member of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN), is the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research.  COG unites over 13,500 experts in childhood cancer at more than 220 leading children’s hospitals, universities, and cancer centers across the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia to conduct more than 50 active clinical trials, with approximately 9,500 participants registered each year in the fight against childhood cancer.

Position Summary 

All staff are employed through the Research Foundation. This role will be in service to the Children’s Oncology Group Foundation (COGF).

Reporting to the Senior Director of the COG Foundation, the Director of External Relations and Communications (“Director”) leads the Foundation’s external relations function, including marketing, communications, and public relations. As a key member of the Foundation Leadership Team (FLT), the Director develops and executes an annual and multi-year external relations strategy that strengthens brand awareness, protects and elevates organizational reputation, and supports philanthropic revenue growth and long-term financial sustainability. This is a hands-on, “player-coach” role: the Director is expected to both set strategy and personally produce and deliver high-quality work products (e.g., key messages, content, collateral, press materials, and campaign communications) in addition to leading planning and coordination.

The Director’s work centers on implementation of strategies, strengthening the Foundation’s external relations capacity, and delivering measurable results within a culture of learning and continuous improvement. The Director is individually accountable for both (1) developing the strategy and plans (positioning, goals, campaign approach, channel mix, calendar, and measurement) and (2) executing the work—writing, editing, designing/producing core materials, and managing vendors/partners as needed to deliver on time and on brand. The Director will also supervise and guide the External Relations Assistant.

The Director is a visionary and practical builder—an innovator who brings strong judgment, collaboration, and a focus on outcomes. Given the multi-faceted scope of the role, the Director balances urgency with stakeholder partnership to enhance and optimize COG & COGF’s external presence and philanthropic support.

The COG Research Foundation, LLC is a 100% remote employer, though some travel may be required.  Employee must reside within the United States.

Full salary range for this position: $131,732 to $204,009 per year. The typical hiring range for this position is from $131,732 (minimum) to $167,871 (midpoint), based on 100% FTE. The starting salary is determined based on the candidate’s knowledge, skills, experience, as well as budget availability.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

External Relations (Marketing, Communications & Public Relations)

• Develop, execute, and continuously improve COGF’s external relations strategy and annual communications plan; translate strategy into clear deliverables, timelines, and finished work products that support organizational priorities, donor engagement, and long-term financial sustainability. Use available data and insights to inform decisions and measure performance.
• Hands-on content production: Personally draft and finalize core external communications and materials (e.g., press releases, messaging frameworks/talking points, web and email copy, social posts, donor-facing narratives, fact sheets, presentations, and campaign collateral), ensuring accuracy, brand alignment, and timely delivery.
• Production oversight & QA: When work is delegated to staff, contractors, or vendors, provide direction and editing, manage scope and timelines, and complete final quality control; remain accountable for the finished output.
• Organizational leadership & collaboration: Partner with executive leadership and cross-functional teams (operations, programs, and philanthropy) to align external messaging and ensure coordinated campaign planning and delivery.
• Campaign planning & execution: Lead integrated marketing and communications campaigns (annual and ongoing), including creative direction, content development, production timelines, and quality control. Coordinate and collaborate with Philanthropy team on narrative, project management, and donor-data needs; lead design and development of campaign materials.
• Messaging & stakeholder communications: Own the communications calendar, including monthly stakeholder communications, and ensure consistent use of approved key messages across external channels and materials. Align communications with stewardship expectations to support an excellent donor experience and recognition.
• Brand & visual identity: Maintain and enforce brand standards and visual identity guidelines across COG and COGF externally facing assets; provide guidance and review to ensure compliance and consistency.
• Public relations & media: Build and manage the press office function, including proactive media relationship development, press releases, media inquiries, interview coordination, crisis communications support, and review/recommendation of media requests.
• Digital & social media: Lead COGF’s social media strategy and content pipeline; oversee channel management, content calendars, and performance reporting.
• Content & asset development: Oversee production and refresh of major externally facing assets (e.g., annual report, videos, photography, and other collateral) to ensure high-quality storytelling, design and on-brand presentation in collaboration with Philanthropy team.
• Events support: Support branding, marketing, and communications for COG group meetings and other events that serve as donor acquisition, stewardship, and volunteer engagement opportunities.
• Reporting: Track and report on campaign and external relations performance; produce concise, actionable updates for leadership and stakeholders. Lead annual report development and publishing; create templates for customized donor and stakeholder impact reports as needed.
• Supervise and develop direct report/s: Direct and oversee daily work, manage performance, and provide coaching to support professional growth.
• Travel to meetings which will include local, regional, and national business trips, with some overnight stays.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, or related field, or substitute with 4 additional years of relevant experience.
• Eight (8) years of nonprofit marketing and communications experience, preferably with considerable experience in media relations, sponsorship management, corporate relations, and PR and at least 4 years’ of management level experience. Knowledge/experience related to leadership can substitute.

Other Qualifications

• Outstanding written and oral communication skills and proposal and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to establish strong working relationships and influence with multiple stakeholders.
• Strategic vision and intuition will help COGF’s leadership develop innovative relationships and strengthen existing partnerships.
• Superb analytical thinking and decision-making abilities; the Director will lead and contribute to the organization’s analytical approach to decision-making and the ongoing development and refinement of tools for assessing the organization’s financial performance and selecting the appropriate benchmark and formative assessments for collecting and analyzing data.
• Excellent project management skills, which, in partnership with the foundation leadership team, will drive the development and implementation of multi-year strategic and financial plans for the organization’s efficient management.
• Ability to be a coach and player, setting both strategy and personally producing and delivering high-quality work products.
• Experience with CRM platforms, preferred experience with Salesforce & Marketing Cloud
• Proven ability to draft, edit, and finalize external-facing materials using various design and publishing tools.
• Experience in implementing project management tools, preferred experience with Monday.com.
• Excellent time management and planning skills to manage the day-to-day functionality of departments, strategic planning, and implementation.
• A valid driver's license and the ability to be insured under the company's insurance policy is also a requirement.
• This position will primarily work remotely. The job requires standing for extended periods, kneeling, reaching, bending, and lifting objects weighing more than 25 lbs. Outdoor work and moderate physically demanding activities may be required on occasion. Reading and writing are necessary to complete reports and properly document programs and organizational data.
• Ability to travel which will include local, regional, and national business trips, with some overnight stays required.
• This position is predominantly remote. However, based on the organization’s needs, the in-person requirements of this role may increase seasonally. It is the expectation that the position flexes to meet the needs of the business.

Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) Status

This position is classified as exempt based on the job duties. However, based on the FTE, salary level of the employee, or federal/state/local laws, the employee may be classified as nonexempt.

Why Join Us

This is a unique opportunity to be on the ground floor of a critical role within a mission-driven organization. This position will play a vital part in shaping the function of the Children’s Oncology Group, contributing to lasting change and making a difference in the lives of children and families impacted by cancer.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefit options include medical, dental, vision, 401(k), accrued Paid Time Off (PTO), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), cell phone and internet stipends, wellness stipend, paid holidays, and more. Employees who work 20 hours or more per week are eligible for these benefit options. These benefits are provided for informational purposes only and are subject to change in accordance with applicable policies and plan documents.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

COG Research Foundation, LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability or medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

COG Research Foundation, LLC seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. Employment at COG Research Foundation, LLC is based on merit, competence, and qualifications, and we are committed to providing equal opportunities for training and advancement for all employees. COG Research Foundation, LLC is also committed to making our application process accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. For further information regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, please feel free to access it here. 

ADA/Application Accommodation Statement 

COG Research Foundation, LLC is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities in the application and employment process, consistent with applicable law. Applicants who require accommodation are encouraged to make their request at the earliest opportunity to allow COG Research Foundation, LLC sufficient time to evaluate and respond to the request. Accommodation requests may be directed to the Recruitment Team at career@evolvehr.com.

This position falls under a contract with the Federal Government and is subject to the provisions in OMB Circular A-76 which prohibit contractors from performing inherently governmental functions. Specifically, employees placed in agency positions will not perform inherently governmental functions, nor supervise any personnel other than the contractor’s own staff, nor make final decisions or sign documents that commit the U.S. Government.