Chief Public Affairs Officer

About the role

The Chief Public Affairs Officer (CPAO) is a strategic, senior leader who serves as the steward of RESOLVE’s brand and the architect of its external voice. This newly expanded role unifies marketing, communications, and government affairs under one leader, ensuring that how RESOLVE shows up publicly is coherent, compelling, and strategically aligned across all external audiences.

Responsibilities

• Own RESOLVE’s brand strategy, defining and evolving the organization’s external identity, voice, and positioning to grow recognition, credibility, and trust among patients, policymakers, partners, and the public
• Develop and implement an integrated public affairs strategy spanning communications and government relations with clear goals and measurable outcomes
• Lead National Infertility Awareness Week programming and planning, setting the vision and strategy and partnering with internal and external stakeholders for execution
• Serve as the CEO’s strategic partner on all matters related to RESOLVE’s external presence and positioning
• Drive cross-team alignment on messaging, ensuring RESOLVE speaks with one voice across advocacy, media, digital, and community channels
• Identify opportunities to increase visibility, deepen partnerships, and grow revenue through a stronger public profile
• Monitor and evaluate brand awareness and organizational credibility; use data to inform strategy
• Government Affairs & Policy Advocacy (20%)
• In partnership with the RESOLVE Access to Care team, define RESOLVE’s federal and state government affairs strategy and oversee the Director of Government Affairs, who leads day-to-day legislative relationships and advocacy execution
• Partner with the Director of Government Affairs and CEO to advance RESOLVE’s legislative and regulatory priorities, including IVF access, insurance coverage mandates, and inclusive family building policy
• Provide strategic direction for RESOLVE’s annual Hill Day and Month of Action; ensure advocacy campaigns are well-integrated with broader communications and brand strategy
• Ensure RESOLVE’s policy positions and advocacy voice are consistent with organizational messaging across all external channels
• Stay current on the federal and state policy landscape; partner with the Access to Care team to develop rapid-response communications as issues emerge
• Represent RESOLVE in high-level coalition meetings, policy forums, and with senior stakeholders when appropriate
• Communications & Storytelling (20%)
• Oversee Director of Communications/Sr. Marketing Manager (new role to be hired) and agency partners as they execute external communications including media, website, e-newsletters, and social media
• Serve as an organizational spokesperson when appropriate; handle or direct incoming media requests
• Lead development of high-impact content including press statements, campaign messaging, donor communications, and impact reports
• Oversee communications for the fundraising gala and National Infertility Awareness Week® (NIAW), bringing storytelling and brand cohesion to both
• Identify strategic opportunities to lift up the voices of RESOLVE’s community, and translate complex policy and clinical topics into accessible, compelling narratives for diverse audiences
• Partnerships & Community Engagement (15%)
• Build and maintain relationships with nonprofit partners, corporate partners, healthcare stakeholders, and patient community leaders
• Identify and develop strategic partnerships that expand RESOLVE’s reach, program impact, and revenue
• Represent the organization at external events, conferences, and meetings
• Support corporate council engagement and physician/professional stakeholder relationships in coordination with staff
• Team Leadership & Operations (15%)
• Lead and develop the public affairs team; foster a culture of accountability, creativity, and mission focus
• Manage budgets for communications, government affairs, and outreach functions
• Contribute as a collaborative and trusted member of a small senior leadership team, often pitching in across functions

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 10+ years of experience in communications, government affairs, external affairs, or brand strategy, with demonstrated leadership across more than one of these disciplines
• Proven experience owning an organization’s brand or external voice, setting strategy, aligning teams, and driving execution
• Deep familiarity with the federal and/or state legislative process; experience engaging with Congress or executive agencies
• Proven track record managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives from strategy through execution
• Strong writing skills across multiple formats: policy documents, press materials, donor communications, digital content
• Experience managing and developing staff and external agency partners
• Commitment to RESOLVE's mission and passion for ensuring that everyone has the resources they need for family building and infertility care

Strongly Preferred

• Experience in healthcare, women's health, or advocacy organizations
• Established relationships from external partners across media, government affairs, or fertility
• Familiarity with nonprofit fundraising communications and donor engagement
• Experience with grassroots advocacy campaigns and community mobilization
• Skilled in leveraging AI tools and digital platforms to increase communications effectiveness