POLICY CURES RESEARCH: Director of Communications

Why you should join PCR

• We work on exciting and ground-breaking global health research projects for competitive salaries
• We are a global team of public health, biomedical, strategy, operations, external relations and economics professionals
• Be part of an internationally respected non-profit research and policy organisation serving influential, high-profile clients around the world
• Become an expert in the latest global health innovations being investigated to tackle the world’s most neglected diseases and health issues

Our story

Policy Cures Research is an internationally respected, non-profit research and policy organisation that provides data and strategic analysis on innovation for global health to high-profile organisations around the world. Our flagship project, G-FINDER, provides an annual picture of the global investments made in research and development for neglected infectious diseases, sexual and reproductive health issues, and emerging infectious diseases. We also undertake targeted, in-depth research and analysis on a wide range of R&D facets, from historical sector funding trends and product pipelines to future-looking cost modelling and resource mobilisation strategies.

Global health R&D funders, product developers, and advocates use our data and analysis for several purposes including identifying product and funding gaps to guide investments and priority-setting exercises, advocating to decision-makers for sustaining and growing global health R&D budgets, and remaining accountable to constituents (e.g., taxpayers, investors, board members, etc.).

With the recent appointment of a Chief Strategy Officer and a team dedicated to organisational strategy, communications, external engagement and business development, we are looking to expand and bring onboard a communications leader that can help guide Policy Cures Research through an exciting period of growth and transformation. This includes a re-examination of our brand, organisational identity/profile, approach to internal communications, digital platforms/solutions, audience identification and external outreach.    

We offer staff the opportunity to work flexibly in support of an exciting and purposeful mission to advance ground-breaking global health research for the world’s most underserved communities. We also offer competitive salaries and with a head office in Australia, who could say no to the occasional visit to sunny Sydney?

Director of Communications role and profile

The Director of Communications, a member of the senior leadership team, will be responsible for setting and executing PCR’s strategic external communications plan, taking ownership of branding and digital transformation initiatives, and executing a broad portfolio of project-specific and organisation-wide communications activities across our various global health and technical areas and internal initiatives.

We are looking for someone that, first and foremost, understands the nuances and challenges of leading communications efforts in small, mission-driven not-for-profit organisations and has demonstrated experience executing compelling and targeted communications activities that serve both project and organisational objectives. A strong command of traditional and social media, digital transformation initiatives, graphic and web design, and policy and research communications are key to PCR’s next phase of growth and maturation.

The Director of Communications will marry a strategic vision with hands-on skills to help guide the organisation through this period of change and improve how we identify, segment, communicate and engage with the global health and R&D communities. Overall, the Director will execute a robust communications approach that serves PCR’s strategic vision of being a clearly identifiable and visible global health research and policy body, recognised for providing data and analysis that directly influences policy and meaningfully supports global health R&D actors working across the technology/product/innovation lifecycle.

Outstanding project and team management skills, excellent written and verbal communication, strong media relationships and strategy development capabilities are essential. The Director of Communications is a full-time role and will report to the Chief Strategy Officer (who is London-based).

Key responsibilities

Branding, marketing and digital platforms

• Oversee ongoing work related to the design and execution of a new marketing, branding and visual/verbal identity strategy for PCR.
• Serve as the gatekeeper for PCR’s visual and verbal identity, including the design of digital and print assets, use of logos, etc.
• Lead on PCR’s website and digital platforms transformation project.
• Serve as content and architecture gatekeeper of PCR’s website and social media platforms.

Social and traditional media

• Manage relationships with journalists and arrange interviews with PCR spokespeople.
• Arrange press briefings/conferences for the launch of research.
• Grow and maintain PCR’s media presence (both social and traditional).

External communications and engagements

• Develop and manage a robust editorial and external engagement calendar that identifies key moments, world health days, conferences, events, etc. and aligns our external communications with these to maximise reach and impact.
• Provide the executive team and staff with talking points and briefing materials for targeted external engagements.
• Identify high-profile speaking and writing opportunities (e.g. op-eds) where PCR leadership can present key projects and findings and elevate our profile.
• Work with Project Sponsors and Project Leads to develop solutions and strategies for improving the reach of research outputs.
• Lead on the design and execution of launch events for PCR’s various research products and outputs.
• Develop improved solutions for tracking, tagging and sorting PCR’s CRM contacts so that invitation and distribution lists can be easily curated for various research product launches.

Communications strategy, management and staff education

• Develop and refine PCR’s communications strategy, ensuring it aligns with the evolving organisational strategy and has a concrete action plan for delivering against key milestones.
• Lead regular audience identification and feedback processes to ensure our communications are reaching target audiences with the information they want and need.
• Set, track and report on a set of routine communications metrics for the organisation.
• Supervise a Communications Specialist and other staff as the team grows.
• Arrange and/or provide relevant communications training to staff with backgrounds in data, global health, science, R&D and medicine, as needed, on topics such as media engagement, web content writing, etc.
• Work closely with the PCR Executive team to advise on and execute internal communications activities.
• Serve as communications liaison with PCR’s funders, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
• Build a roster of trusted suppliers that can be called upon to support PCR with graphic design, digital report solutions, event management, etc.

Position requirements

• Advanced degree in communications, business administration, public health or a related field. Candidates with additional academic qualifications in disciplines such as public health and or biomedical sciences will be held in high regard for this appointment.
• 10-15 years of demonstrated experience working in communications and external engagement with increasing levels of leadership and responsibility.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience supporting communications initiatives for global health and/or international development organisations and campaigns.
• An eye for branding and design, with demonstrated experience managing relationships with agencies, designers, etc. and a clear understanding of the value of a streamlined brand and brand awareness.
• A well-organised, structured thinker that can develop a strategic plan, prioritise actions and workplans, and ensure that long-term projects advance while ensuring the day-to-day of corporate and project communications execute seamlessly.
• Proven experience pitching to and managing relationships with journalists, securing high profile and influential media placements.
• Existing relationships with journalists in health, global health, science, pharma, R&D, and/or international development highly desirable. 
• Experience managing successful digital and website transformation projects for companies or not-for-profit organisations.
• Be skilled at communicating complex ideas simply, to a wide variety of audiences.
• Excellent verbal communications skills and strong writing skills with an ability to communicate in a professional and concise manner.
• Comfort working in a matrix organisation with shared responsibilities and flexibility in undertaking tasks as needed.
• Direct line management experience a must.
• Excellent written and spoken English required.

Location

PCR’s head office is in Sydney, Australia and we have staff in Australia, the UK, Europe and Africa. We will consider candidates across the UK,  Europe, Asia and Africa. The successful candidate will work from home/ fully remote. The successful candidate will be expected to work flexibly and attend meetings outside of traditional core working hours, accommodating international time zones.

How to apply

Submit your application, including CV and cover letter via the company website. For any questions regarding the position, you can email info@policycuresresearch.org. Applications close Tuesday 31^st October 2023.

We will not be acknowledging receipt of individual applications while the application period is open. You will be advised shortly after the conclusion of the application period whether or not your application has resulted in an offer of interview. Interviews will be conducted in November 2023.

Employee benefits

Policy Cures Research offers a range of benefits to its employees, including competitive salaries which are reviewed annually, flexible working arrangements, a strong culture of promotion and recognition, access to employee assistance programs for mental health and well-being, and generous entitlements such as paid parental leave, and learning and development and volunteering allowances.