Communications Director

Since our founding in 1924, we've cut cardiovascular disease deaths in half, but there is still so much more to do. To overcome today’s biggest health challenges and accelerate this progress, we need passionate individuals like you. Join our movement, be part of the progress, and help ensure a healthier future for all. This is a home-office-based position in the Buffalo, NY area with travel throughout the market and occasional travel to Vermont.

About the role

The Communications Director will serve as an individual contributor, crafting and delivering essential communications and marketing support for all of Western NY and Vermont. You will collaborate with our development and health strategies teams to support fundraising efforts, educational programs, awareness campaigns, advocacy efforts, and branding. This role plays a significant role in achieving our 2027 Impact Goals by delivering mission-related messaging.

Responsibilities

• Develop plans to reach the media, general public, and target audiences through traditional media outlets, social media, press releases, and other relevant materials.
• Create an integrated market-wide communications plan and timelines for market advocacy priorities, core fundraising events (including Heart Walk, Go Red for Women, Heart Ball, CycleNation, and others), Community Impact priorities, and sponsorships with a media component.
• Share the market’s Community Impact story via public and media relations, social media, and video creation.
• Cultivate media sources both internal and external; provide spokesperson training to volunteer leadership and staff.
• Support script writing for internal and external speaking opportunities.
• Lead stage presentations and prep speakers for market events; collaborate with external production teams to create videos and work with media outlets during events.
• Manage local relationships with spokespeople (medical authorities, survivors, etc.), marketing, and media organizations/media networks.
• Work with media and third-party vendors to provide traditional and non-traditional media sponsorship opportunities.
• Coordinate promotional activities with media sponsors, including PSAs, interviews, media pitches, and more.
• Run market-specific social media channels.
• Share critical wellness resources, risk messaging, and communication campaigns to save and change lives in the community.
• Write press releases, pitch stories to media, and draft briefs using AP style.
• Champion volunteers for the organization, including cardiac and stroke survivors, physicians, and philanthropists.
• Monitor the use of the Association’s name and logo by internal teams and media sponsors to ensure branding guidelines are followed.
• Act as the communications consultant and authority to internal teams; lead communications-related market trainings on branding, crisis communications, and message creation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, public relations, or related field (preferred).
• 3 years of experience in journalism, marketing, marketing communications, or public relations.
• Intermediate to advanced skills with Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word).
• Ability to lift and/or move large objects (heavier items may require breaking down or requesting assistance).
• Daily travel within your territory; requires access to reliable transportation at all times.
• Experience working with groups and/or volunteers; ability to train, lead, and guide them to achieve program goals.
• Able to prioritize multiple assignments in a fast-paced, professional setting.
• Willing to work outside normal hours, including some evenings and weekends as needed.
• Excellent written and verbal skills, with outstanding social skills for diverse audiences, including multicultural groups, and across various marketing platforms (web, mobile, etc.). AP style writing and local media relationships are a plus.
• Knowledge of not-for-profit healthcare organizations, particularly those focused on medical-related issues, is helpful.

Benefits

• Compensation: Expected pay range is $61,500 to $79,000, commensurate with experience; geographic differentials may apply.
• Performance and Recognition: Eligibility for annual salary planning and incentive programs based on position type.
• Health and Insurance: Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; employee assistance program, wellness program, telemedicine, and medical consultation.
• Retirement: Robust retirement program with employer match and automatic contribution.
• Professional Development: Access to Heart U (award-winning corporate university with over 100,000 resources), Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), and mentoring programs.
• Work-Life Harmonization: Minimum of 16 days Paid Time Off (PTO) for new employees, increasing with seniority; 12 paid holidays per year, including year-end days off.
• Tuition Assistance: Financial support for employees pursuing further education and career development related to their role.