Senior Communications Officer, Vaccines

About the Position:

Global Health Strategies is seeking a Senior Communications Officer, reporting directly to the Director of Communications, to work with the firm's Communications Principal on a fast-growing account. The client is a leading international vaccine manufacturer with significant investments in vaccines targeted at developing-world diseases. Global Health Strategies is jointly responsible for the development and implementation of a three-year, strategic corporate communications plan designed to convey the business rationale, as well as scope, and impact of a global vaccine portfolio. The account is one of GHS's largest, most complex accounts and requires professionals with a wide range of communications skills.

The Communications Officer will hold direct responsibility in two main areas: Communications/Media Relations and Client/Project Management. More detail is provided below:

Communications/Media Relations: The Officer will work closely with GHS senior staff to pitch and place narrative-driven top stories on the company, ensuring coverage of key internal milestones. The Officer is expected to possess existing top-tier media contacts in the health arena and is encouraged to expand and nurture those contacts while working at GHS. The Officer should anticipate spending significant amounts of his/her time liaising with international journalists and opinion-leaders to guide coverage of public health/business issues relevant to the company and should also have a record of pitching and placing news stories. In addition, the Officer will be responsible for the production and presentation of necessary communications documents for the account. The Officer is also expected to assist the organization in expanding and maintaining its global network of communications consultants.

Client/Project Management: Over time, the Senior Officer will take over as the primary day-to-day liaison between the client and the firm and will manage the production of vital communications documents for the client. The Officer is also responsible for assisting and advising the senior management of the company in their interactions with the media through the preparation of talking points and soundbites and the management of training sessions. In addition, the consultant is expected to assist the Director of Communications in the management and development of the team’s junior staff and attend frequent domestic and international meetings and events both with the client and on its behalf.

Required Qualifications:

GHS is seeking an intelligent, passionate, experienced communications professional with a sophisticated understanding of public affairs/media relations as well as an expertise in global health, and/or pharmaceutical industry. The individual should possess excellent diplomatic and client relations skills, an effective management style, and should thrive in a fast-paced, demanding environment. The Officer should also possess the following traits:

-B.A. degree in a related field

-5-7 years of Communications/P.R. experience

-Management experience

-Excellent writing and editing skills

-Detail-oriented

-Able to work nights and weekends when necessary

-Willing to travel internationally

Additional Qualifications:

-Foreign language skills

-Knowledge of global health and/or pharmaceutical/vaccine industry

-International work experience

-M.A. in a related field

GHS is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people of diverse backgrounds to apply.

GHS offers competitive salaries commensurate with experience, four weeks vacation, a comprehensive benefits package, and generous bonuses based upon the success of the organization and the contribution of the employee.