Public Relations and Communications Director

American Nurses Association - Silver Spring, MD

Full-time - Senior

Silver Spring, MD

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

The American Nurses Association (ANA) is seeking a Public Relations and Communications Director to lead a team of public relations specialists across the ANA Enterprise. This role is pivotal in overseeing the strategy, development, execution, and evaluation of integrated public relations and executive communications strategies for the organization. The PR Director will focus on effectively communicating the brand, vision, and strategic objectives to a diverse range of internal and external audiences. This includes translating policy, issues, and programmatic work into communications and media opportunities for the ANA Enterprise. This is an exciting time for ANA, characterized by innovation, creativity, and growth. The ideal candidate will demonstrate proven leadership in Public Relations, embodying a strategic, empathetic, and confident servant leadership style. The role requires the ability to model behaviors that foster honesty, candor, and agility to drive change. The successful candidate will be empowered to challenge the status quo across the enterprise and will have a significant and positive impact on over 5 million nurses nationally and globally. Key responsibilities include directing integrated efforts to align with strategic objectives, enhancing the organization’s visibility as a leading voice on nursing and healthcare, and managing executive communications to bolster thought leadership. The PR Director will also oversee crisis communication strategies, cultivate relationships with mainstream media, and lead the development of multimedia strategies to effectively reach nurses and key audiences. Additionally, the role involves developing communication strategies that support the efforts of ANA's constituent and state nurses' associations, ensuring quality standards in messaging, and implementing an executive communications program that fosters thought leadership within the organization.

Responsibilities

• Direct integrated efforts to align with strategic objectives to position the organization as a leading voice on nursing and healthcare.
• Oversee executive communications functions to enhance thought-leadership visibility.
• Lead environmental scanning and develop rapid response efforts on external issues and events.
• Own and operationalize the organization's crisis communication strategy.
• Cultivate relationships with mainstream media across print, broadcast, and online outlets.
• Oversee message development and media training for key stakeholders.
• Lead the development and execution of multimedia strategies including video, PSAs, media relations, social media, and executive communications.
• Develop communication strategies that support the efforts of ANA's constituent and state nurses' associations.
• Ensure materials and content convey key messages and meet quality standards.
• Implement and lead the organization's executive communications program, including a thought leadership program.

Requirements

• An undergraduate degree from a 4-year institution is required (preferably in advertising, marketing, or communications); a master's degree is preferred.
• Minimum of 12 years of public relations or corporate communications experience, with 15+ years preferred, including at least 5 years managing a team.
• Proven accomplishments in public relations and communications within a complex organization.
• Exceptional communication skills, including listening, written and verbal communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Innovative and creative thinker with a record of translating ideas into actionable plans.
• Advanced group facilitation and public speaking skills.
• Politically astute with organizational savvy and excellent judgment.
• Proven ability to analyze, prioritize, and execute complex tasks under deadlines.
• Skilled collaborator able to build solutions in a politically sensitive, high visibility work environment.
• Outstanding human relations skills with the ability to motivate and coach staff.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with attention to detail.
• Flexibility in dealing with changing priorities and demanding workloads.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize and appreciate cultural differences.
• Superior skills in media and public relations.
• Experience integrating digital and social media into communication campaigns.
• Resourceful, lifelong learner able to tap into professional networks.
• Ability to perform well under deadline stress with a strong drive to achieve results.
• Strong work ethic and positive attitude.
• Collegial, positive, innovative work style.
• Ability to multi-task without losing critical attention to detail.

Nice-to-haves

• Coaching and mentoring skills.
• Experience in managing processes and taking initiative.
• Strategic communications planning experience.
• Customer focus and executive communications skills.
• Experience in developing budgets and financial planning.
• Stakeholder management experience.

Benefits

• 401K retirement contributions of up to 7%.
• Generous PTO including the week off between December 25th and January 1st, in addition to personal days off.
• 11 paid holidays.
• Excellent health/medical benefits.
• Commitment to career development and advancement through ANA learning and development programs.