Communications Director

Seeking Communications Director for a new non-profit organization, to be launched in mid January, that combines and builds upon two successful initiatives that have been leading the effort to make the US health care sector more environmentally sustainable.

Since 1998, Hospitals for a Healthy Environment has been working to reduce waste, eliminate mercury and protect patients and workers from exposure to toxic chemicals in the health care setting. Originally formed as a four-way partnership of the American Hospital Association, American Nurses Association, Health Care Without Harm and the US Environmental Protection Agency, H2E became an independent organization in 2006 and is now joining forces with the Green Guide for Health Care, the premiere green building tool for health care facilities, and the Healthcare Clean Energy Exchange, a program to help hospitals reduce their climate footprint.

This new combined organization (yet to be named) will offer a full range of tools, resources, technical assistance and networking opportunities to engage all sectors within the health care industry in shifting the market toward environmentally preferable products and safer, healthier practices.

The Communications Director will also be responsible for helping to promote our sister organization, Health Care Without Harm and CleanMed, the premiere conference for environmentally sustainable health care. The Communications Director is responsible for directing all aspects of PR and marketing for the new organization, including creating and carrying out a strategic marketing and communications plan with the goal of attracting and recruiting members to the new organization.

Specifically, this individual will be responsible for:

Media Relations: This includes writing and strategically distributing press releases, opinion pieces, and other materials, placing stories in appropriate national, local and online outlets, setting up opportunities for our experts to appear on radio, TV, or before editorial boards, and organizing press events or briefings when appropriate.

Online Marketing Strategies and Web Presence: This requires devising aggressive internet marketing strategies to raise the profile and recruit members for the new organization - including email advocacy campaigns, building listserves, positioning our experts as leaders in the field and promoting expert content.

Duties will also include working with staff to build out the new website (currently in development), updating content and helping to maintain the new site.

Marketing Key Programs: Responsibilities include promoting key programs of the organization to appropriate constituencies - for example, marketing the Healthcare Energy Exchange to energy professionals, and the Green Guide for Health Care to architects and designers. This will require separately devised communications plans and efforts to target key audiences with the right language using the right vehicles.

Writing and Editing Materials: Duties include overseeing the production (including writing, editing and concepting) of a monthly e-newsletter, called StatGreen, and other marketing materials to be determined. May also include writing articles and op eds for publication.

Qualifications:

* 5-7 years experience, preferably as a working journalist or handling media relations for a nonprofit organization and/or the health care sector.
* Established relationships with reporters, familiarity with health care trade press and experience pitching reporters is a significant plus.
* Exceptional writing and editing skills -- particularly the ability to translate complex issues into clear, simple ideas
* Demonstrated track record in marketing and promoting programs.
* Self starter and strategic thinker with a get-it-done attitude.
* Able to demonstrate a commitment to environmental health issues, interest in working in the nonprofit sector, high energy level, and comfort working in a collaborative environment.
* Education: A Bachelors degree or the equivalence is required.
* experience in building successful online campaigns; demonstrable success in program marketing.

Compensation: An attractive and market-competitive compensation and benefits program is planned for this position. 

To Apply

Please email your resume and a cover letter describing your interest in the position by January 20, 2008 to Stacy Malkan, HCWH Communications Coordinator. No phone calls please. Interviews will begin in January.

Please come to the interview prepared to discuss specific ideas for building the online presence of the organization. Applicants will be required to show writing samples.

Health Care Without Harm is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity within our campaign, people of color and women are encouraged to apply