Sr. Advocacy Communications Lead, Food Is Medicine

Overview

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. You matter, and so does the impact you can make with us.

The American Heart Association has an excellent opportunity for a Senior Advocacy Communications Lead, Food is Medicine!

This position can be home-based.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, grant-funded opportunity. Current funding will expire on October 30, 2028, with the possibility of extension.

The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work-life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award-winning corporate university, as well as additional training and support, locally.

#TheAHALife is more than a company culture; it is our way of life. It embodies our commitment to work-life harmonization and is guided by our core values where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued at the American Heart Association by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and at heart.jobs.

Responsibilities

Developing and implementing multi-year strategic communications plans promoting the Heart Association’s Health Care by FoodTM initiative through message and material development, traditional and social media, event support, thought leadership, stakeholder engagement, and other methods to advance understanding of and support for food is medicine.

Representing the Heart Association and working closely with HCXF volunteer leaders, consultants, and funders in support of strategies to establish the initiative and its dedicated website as a leading source of research, advocacy, and information about food is medicine.

Providing leadership and ongoing support for drafting and production of the HCXF monthly newsletter, social media amplification, and other communications efforts around the issuance of research RFPs, the publication of research studies, the issuance of reports and updates about the initiative’s progress, public policy efforts at the federal and state levels, and other priorities. Must be able to synthesize complex research material.

Working under the direction of the National Vice President, Advocacy Communications and HCXF Executive Director to collaborate with internal teams including the HCXF staff team, Science and Medicine, Mission Advancement, Advocacy and Marketing Communications to tell a compelling story about the initiative across platforms and channels.

• Leads the drafting and production of HCXF’s monthly newsletter. Produces news releases, media pitches, web and social content, multi-media assets and other communications materials/activations to promote the initiative among FIM researchers, FIM practitioners, food/nutrition advocates, current/potential HCXF funders, policymakers and the public. Monitors the traditional and social media landscape to ensure the Heart Association is positioned to respond appropriately to news and trends related to the science, practice and policy of food is medicine.
• Leads the development and implementation of coordinated, strategic marketing communications plans supporting the initiative. This includes developing messages and materials. It also involves traditional and social media, event support, thought leadership, and collaboration with key partners. Other methods aim to position the initiative and its website as a leading source of research, advocacy, and information about food is medicine.  
• Provides marketing communications support for the issuance of research RFPs, the publication of research studies, the drafting and dissemination of reports and updates about the initiative’s progress, public policy efforts at the federal and state levels, and other priorities. Synthesizes complex research material to tell a compelling story across platforms and channels.
• Establishes relationships with HCXF staff and volunteer experts, funders, consultants, and others, and collaborates to leverage opportunities to call attention to the importance of food as, medicine and elevate clarity and profile of the Heart Association and its HCXF initiative. Plays a leading role in leading the work of external national consultants supporting marketing communications efforts.
• Provides written and verbal updates and briefings to Heart Association leadership, partners and funders, as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience
• Five (5) years of experience
• Professional experience in public relations, corporate communications, writing, and/or journalism
• Knowledge of media and familiarity with effective outreach methods to reporters, particularly those covering policy
• Experience writing and editing news releases and communications materials, including talking points/messaging, web content, social content, newsletter content, fact sheets, and related materials
• Strong familiarity with food/nutrition programs and policy, including Food Is Medicine
• Project management experience, including managing multiple projects concurrently
• Experience translating scientific manuscripts and abstracts into accurate and compelling messaging for general audiences
• Demonstrated ability to work under tight deadlines, while faced with competing demands and priorities
• Ability to travel up to 10% local and overnight stay

Preferred Experience:

• Master's in nutrition, public health, or similar OR a Bachelor's degree in communications and 5+ years’ experience in nutrition, access to care, or similar
• Developing newsworthy pitches to targeted media outlets
• Developing and implementing integrated, strategic marketing communications plans
• Experience working in a matrix organization
• Experience working with remote staff and teams

Compensation & Benefits

The expected pay range will be $84,400.00 to $112,500.00. Pay is commensurate with experience; geographic differentials may apply to the pay range. The American Heart Association reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range. 

The American Heart Association invests in its people. Here are the main components of our total rewards package.  Visit Rewards & Benefits to see more details.

• Compensation – Our goal is to ensure you have a competitive base salary.  That’s why we regularly review the market value of jobs and make adjustments, as needed.
• Performance and Recognition – You are rewarded for achieving success through annual salary planning and incentive programs; eligibility for an incentive program is based on the type of position. 
• Benefits – We offer a wide array of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, along with a robust retirement program that includes an employer match and automatic contribution.  As a mark of our commitment to employee well-being, we also offer an employee assistance program, employee wellness program and telemedicine, and medical consultation.
• Professional Development – You can join one of our many Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or be a mentor/mentee in our professional mentoring program.  Heart U is the Association’s national online university, with more than 100,000 resources designed to meet your needs and busy schedule.
• Work-Life Harmonization – The Association offers Paid Time Off (PTO) at a minimum of 16 days per year for new employees.  The number of days will increase based on seniority level.  You will also have a total of 12 paid holidays off each year, which includes several days off at the end of the year.
• Tuition Assistance - We support the career development of all employees.  This program provides financial assistance to employees who wish to further their education and career in relation to their current duties and responsibilities, or for potential future positions in the organization.

The American Heart Association’s 2028 Goal: Building on over 100 years of trusted leadership in cardiovascular and brain health, by 2028 the Association will drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy, and care for healthier people and communities. The greatest discoveries in health must reach everyone where they are.

At American Heart Association | American Stroke Association, our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, age, language, sexual orientation, national origin and physical or cognitive abilities.This position not a match with your skills?  Click here to see other opportunities.

In accordance with local and state laws where applicable, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities