We’re hiring a Marketing Communications Director in Austin, TX. This position will focus on developing and implementing communications and marketing plans that promote the American Heart Association’s strategic priorities, events, and cause initiatives. This role reports to the Executive Director.

This is an office-based position that offers a hybrid schedule in a fast-paced environment. The office is in Austin, TX.

Responsibilities involve working with the Executive Director, Development Directors, and Community Impact Directors to build and implement strategic marketing campaigns and deliverables to support major fundraising events; to develop communications and marketing relationships and strategies to deepen engagement with existing sponsors and high-level volunteers for major events. 

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.

• Develops and implements local strategic communications plans that promote the American Heart Association's nationally driven priorities, local events, community impact, Science news, and cause initiatives.
• Writes, distributes, and pitches news releases and other supporting media materials to local traditional and non-traditional media.
• Secures media sponsorships for local events and priority initiatives, as appropriate.
• Implements awareness campaigns around heart and stroke-related topics and works collaboratively with other key market staff to develop an integrated approach to such campaigns.
• Works with staff to ensure that national branding guidelines are followed.
• Develops and implements communications plans for sponsor-funded activations.
• Coordinates and implements communications plans in conjunction with strategic alliances.
• Identifies, secures, and media trains local spokespersons.
• Provides marketing and communications support for development and fundraising events and activations, as appropriate.
• Identifies human interest stories for media coverage, social media posts, internal and external communications channels, and event integration.
• Tracks all media coverage via a media tracking system and manages a spokesperson database. Works with video production companies to produce videos for events, social media, and other marketing communications resources.
• Works with photographers to produce photography for events, social media, and other marketing and communications resources.

Other Job Duties:

• Develops and implements media events, as appropriate.
• Works to place Public Service Announcements (PSA) locally.
• Works with the Region’s VP of Communications and Marketing to manage local crises or sensitive issues.
• Works in collaboration with media advocacy staff to develop appropriate media advocacy strategies and implements strategies, as appropriate.
• Works with executive director and team to manage local paid advertising projects.
• Manages and implements other projects as identified by the executive director.

Want to move your resume to the top so that you can become a “Relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives?” Here are some of the requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Requires a minimum of 3 years of work experience in communications, social media, public relations, and journalism, or any equivalent combination of training and work experience.
• Experience applying the principles and practices of communications and marketing to the non-profit environment.
• Experience working as a team member with multiple internal and external constituencies at varying levels: staff, media, external corporations, and volunteers.
• Experience with crisis communications and sensitive issues.
• Experience implementing communications campaigns, pitching to media, planning media events, and writing news releases.
• Exceptional oral and written communications skills, including experience with speech writing, news writing for broadcast and print, and general business writing.
• Working knowledge of news media operations, newsgathering, and technology.
• Must have at least intermediate knowledge and skills with Microsoft Office for word processing, email, PowerPoint, and spreadsheets.
• Ability to do daily local travel approximately 70%; requires access to reliable transportation at all times on an immediate basis.
• Intermediate knowledge and experience using Canva preferred.

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.