Director, Media Engagement (Consumer Media & Programs)

The Director, Media Engagement (Consumer Media & Programs) serves as a senior communications leader responsible for leading the Alzheimer’s Association national earned media strategy to advance awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, elevate the organization’s reputation, and support enterprise priorities, campaigns, programs and initiatives.  This role oversees strategic media engagement efforts across top-tier media, including consumer, health, lifestyle and trade media channels, ensuring the Association maintains a strong and influential voice in national conversations about research advancements, brain health, risk reduction and caregiving. 

 Working closely with the VP, Global Communications, the Director provides strategic communications counsel to executive leadership and internal stakeholders, leads proactive and reactive media relations initiatives, oversees media preparedness and issues management activities, and drives integrated communications strategies that support measurable organizational goals. 

Working collaboratively across communications, marketing, med-sci, care and support, development and other teams, the Director develops innovative media strategies that expand awareness, generate impactful earned media coverage and advance the Association's mission. 

This position can be based at the Association's Home Office in Chicago and offers a flexible hybrid/remote work environment. Candidates may work remotely while maintaining regular collaboration with colleagues, participating in virtual and in-person meetings, and traveling periodically for key events, planning sessions, media opportunities and organizational meetings. 

Essential functions and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:  

• Lead the Association's national earned media strategy to advance organizational priorities, awareness campaigns and mission objectives. 
• Provide strategic communications counsel to executive leadership on media opportunities, messaging, reputation management and issues response. 
• Oversee earned media planning and execution for major national initiatives, including annual Facts and Figures Report, campaigns and announcements. 
• Lead proactive and reactive media relations efforts and cultivate relationships with key national, consumer, trade, health and multicultural media. 
• Direct spokesperson preparation, message development and media training for executives and subject matter experts. 
• Strengthen media engagement across the Association through team leadership, chapter support, communications best practices and innovative technologies. 
• Monitor media trends, emerging issues and reputational risks, leading response strategies as appropriate. 
• Manage agency partnerships, budgets, performance measurement and media analytics. 

Qualifications  

• Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, journalism or related field. 
• Minimum 8-10 years of progressively responsible experience in media relations, public relations, communications, journalism, or related fields. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  

• Exceptional communications, writing and message development skills. 
• Proven success leading integrated media relations strategies and high-profile communications initiatives. 
• Strong executive presence and ability to provide strategic counsel to senior leaders. 
• Expertise in media relations, reputation management, issues response and stakeholder engagement. 
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including team development, coaching and cross-functional collaboration. 
• Strong strategic planning, project management and organizational skills. 
• Experience using metrics, analytics and insights to evaluate performance and inform communications strategy. 
• Experience managing agency partnerships, budgets and external vendors. 
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities. 
• Proficiency with communications technologies, media monitoring platforms and AI tools that enhance communications effectiveness. 

Additional Requirements  

• Strong public speaking and presentation skills. 
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings, weekends or non-traditional hours as needed. 
• Ability to travel up to 10-15%. 

Location:                                         Chicago, IL or US Remote 

Work Schedule:                                Full-Time (37.5 hours per week) 

Reports To:                                       VP, Global Communications 

Position Grade & Compensation:      Grade 512 The Alzheimer’s Association’s good faith expectation for the salary range for this role is $155,000-$170,000. This position is eligible for a bonus based on both individual and organizational performance, up to 6% 

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia– by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.  

The Alzheimer’s Association announced a landmark $100 million investment in research for 2023. This unparalleled commitment is illustrative of the momentum we are building in dementia research — our investments today will lead to breakthroughs tomorrow.  

At the Alzheimer’s Association, our employees are at the core of all we do. Our network of more than 1,900 employees across the United States makes a difference each and every day for those impacted by Alzheimer’s and those at risk for the disease.  

We warmly invite qualified applicants to consider this opportunity to make a life-changing impact on the millions living with Alzheimer’s, their caregivers and those that may develop the disease in the future. Read on to learn more about the role, then visit our website www.alz.org/jobs to explore who we are and why we've been recognized as a Best Place to Work for the last twelve years in a row.  

At the Alzheimer's Association®, we believe that diverse perspectives are critical to achieving health equity — meaning that all communities have a fair and just opportunity for early diagnosis and access to risk reduction and quality care. The Association is committed to engaging underrepresented and underserved communities and responding with resources and education to address the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association commitment remains steadfast in engaging all communities in our full mission. The Association provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment to the fullest extent required by law, including, but not limited to, on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic. 

Employees working 24 hours/week or more are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, flex accounts, short and long-term disability, life insurance, long term care insurance, tuition reimbursement, generous Paid Time Off, 12 annual holidays and Paid Family Leave, as well as an annual Cultural & Heritage Day and Volunteer Day of their choosing. They are also eligible for our gold standard 401(k) retirement plan. Please click HERE for more information. 

Full time employees (37.5 hours/week), will enjoy all of the above plus an annual School Visitation Day and an Elder Care Facility Day of their choosing.  

Qualified Applicants with arrest or Conviction records will be considered for Employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act at the Alzheimer's Association. 

The Alzheimer's Association will conduct an individualized assessment of the material job duties of this job include working with vulnerable communities which the employer may reasonably believe that Criminal History may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship for the safety of the community.  

The background check will include searches for: social security person search, public reports, county & federal criminal reports, multi-jurisdictional, sex offender database, NSOPW national sex offender, education, employment history, motor vehicle or driving history, and reference checks.