Vice President, Communications

Are you ready to transform your career into a powerful catalyst for change? For almost 30  years, ZERO Prostate Cancer (ZERO) has been at the forefront of the battle against prostate cancer, providing essential support to patients and families touched by this disease. ZERO is the nation’s leading prostate cancer organization and the number one provider of prostate cancer resources, programs, and services. We are on a mission to improve and save lives from prostate cancer through advocacy, awareness, education, and support. 
 

Consistently recognized as one of the Best Nonprofits to Work for by the Nonprofit Times, we take pride in our unwavering commitment to our team and community. Our culture is founded on the principles of growth, inclusivity, and camaraderie, which we uphold with passion and purpose. Our vision is a world where prostate cancer detection is early, support is unwavering, and care is accessible to all. When you join ZERO, you become part of an extraordinary community with strong core values: Courage, Ambition, Inclusion, Empathy, and Integrity–  where each individual motivates and inspires one another, advancing your career while making a meaningful impact in the fight against prostate cancer. Seize this opportunity to be more than just an employee—become an essential part of a movement that truly matters!

ZERO’s Communications Objectives Include: 

1. Protect and increase awareness of ZERO’s brand legacy as the nation’s leader in prostate cancer advocacy, with the distinction of having successfully advocated for the establishment of the Prostate Cancer Research Program at the Department of Defense, which has unlocked billions of dollars in public funding for the discovery of new treatments
2. Increase awareness of ZERO’s leadership in prostate cancer advocacy, education, and patient support - advancing early detection, access to care, and reducing the pain and suffering of prostate cancer for patients (and their families) with a focus on health equity, amplifying the men’s health conversation, and addressing the needs of high-risk populations: African Americans, Military Veterans, and rural populations
3. Improve internal communications process and messaging to ensure executives and staff are informed and well-equipped to deliver brand and mission messaging to key stakeholders, supporters, partners, and constituents, and increase executive presence by developing a robust thought-leadership strategy

Job Summary

The Vice President, Communications will work closely with both Mission and Development VPs to lead the successful execution of a Media Relations strategy that expands our reach and earned media around our national mission and development initiatives, including our annual Advocacy Summit in Washington D.C., signature Blitz the Barriers and other patient support programs, key corporate partner and development activities, and a strategy for local media relations support of the regions with opportunities to elevate local storytelling to national interest/media placement. 
 
The successful candidate will also be responsible for establishing, building, and maintaining national and local media relationships and alliances across broadcast media, cable news, public media outlets, publications, online media outlets, and influencers. The candidate will also manage ZERO’s robust ambassador program of global talent from the entertainment, health, fashion, and media industries. The candidate will serve as the primary point of contact for all press releases and media outreach, and as backup to ZERO’s Chief Marketing & Communications Officer and Executive Leadership Team in representing ZERO in the media. 

 The responsibilities include developing a media strategy, reporting results, creating materials, handling correspondence, and preparing executives for meetings and public appearances. The VP will also manage a Health Communications Manager and a highly successful and powerful media relations firm to deliver on media pitching, placement, and tracking of results. 

Further, the position will monitor reputational risk issues of concern in partnership with ZERO’s Operations and Legal department, creating a sound crisis management process and drafting communications as necessary to ensure brand reputation is upheld despite any unforeseen circumstances or threats that may arise and impact the organization.

Position Type	Full Time ∙ Exempt-Salaried
Position Location	Remote (Possible Travel 10% of the year)
Reports to	Chief Marketing & Communications Officer

Key Responsibilities Include: 

• Strategic Leadership:
  • Develop and implement organization-wide communication strategies aligned with business objectives
  • Provide strategic counsel to C-suite executives and VP counterparts on communication matters
  • Lead crisis communication efforts and reputation management
• Internal Communications:
  • Oversee internal communication initiatives to foster employee engagement and alignment
  • Develop and maintain effective communication channels within the organization
  • Ensure consistent messaging across all departments and levels
• External Communications:
  • Manage media relations and support the Chief Marketing & Communications Officer as the primary spokesperson for the organization
  • Oversee public relations efforts, including press releases, media events, and interviews
  • Develop and maintain relationships with media, key stakeholders, supporters, partners, and community leaders
• Brand Management:
  • Ensure consistent brand messaging and visual identity across all communication channels
  • Oversee the development and implementation of brand guidelines
  • Monitor and protect the organization's brand reputation
  • Manage the brand ambassador program
• Digital Communications:
  • Lead the development and execution of digital communication strategies, including social media, website content, and online marketing
  • Ensure effective use of digital platforms to engage with target audiences
• Agency Management:
  • Lead and advise an agency of media relations expert consultants and professionals
  • Manage the communications budget and resources
  • Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the team
• Measurement and Reporting:
  • Develop and implement metrics to measure the effectiveness of communication initiatives
  • Provide regular reports on communication performance to senior leadership
• Travel as needed to media events, in-state advocacy events, conferences, and run/walks

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field: Master’s Degree preferred
• Ten+ years of experience in senior communication roles with a proven track record of success in delivering high-value media placement and increased brand awareness
• Experience in health industry communications
• Experience with nonprofit and for-profit brands and working with influencers across entertainment and media preferred
• Exceptional at building relationships with established national and local media relationships to build upon
• Media savvy and excellent verbal and written communication skills, including poised public speaking, presentation, and business acumen
• Strong people management skills
• Demonstrated experience in crisis management
• Proficiency in digital communications tools and platforms
• Strong understanding of communication channels and best practices
• Ability to handle high-pressure situations with a calm and capable demeanor
• Outstanding, humble team player who displays the utmost professionalism at all times, with a passion for making an impact through extensive collaboration and cooperation with teammates across the organization

Preferred Qualifications

• Existing strong national and local media relationships with major outlets
• Experience managing talent, influencer, and/or ambassador programs

Physical Requirements

• Constant use of a computer and other office productivity equipment, such as a computer.
• Prolonged periods of a stationary position at least 50% of the time.
• The ability to recognize details at close range for extended periods of time.
• The ability to communicate information and ideas effectively, so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations

ZERO Prostate Cancer is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all employees. We encourage BIPOC, Veterans, individuals with Disabilities, and those affected by prostate cancer to apply. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. 

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing the application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Human Resources at hr@zerocancer.org or by phone at 202-463-9455.