Leads public relations, brand elevation, strategic partnerships, community engagement, and issues management for The ALS Association. Advises executive leadership, builds relationships with healthcare, corporate, nonprofit, and advocacy partners, amplifies programs and mission awareness, manages reputational risks, and develops integrated strategies to expand organizational visibility, influence, audience reach, and stakeholder trust.
Established in 1985, The ALS Association is the only national nonprofit organization fighting ALS on every front. By leading the way in global research, providing assistance for people with ALS through a nationwide network of chapters, coordinating multidisciplinary care through certified clinical care centers, and fostering government partnerships, the Association builds hope and enhances quality of life while aggressively searching for new treatments and a cure
Position Summary
The Sr. Director of PR and Strategic Partnerships provides strategic leadership in elevating the ALS Association’s brand, expanding its influence, and strengthening its reputation through high-impact public relations initiatives and strategic partnerships. This role focuses on building relationships with organizations, institutions, businesses, and influential stakeholders that extend the Association’s reach, increase awareness of its mission, and reinforce its position as a leading voice in the ALS community.
Public relations and strategic partnerships are viewed as core organizational functions that drive brand visibility, strengthen stakeholder trust, identify new opportunities for collaboration, and inform organizational decision-making. The Sr. Director will develop and execute integrated strategies that leverage partnerships to elevate the ALS Association’s brand, amplify its mission, increase engagement, and advance its long-term priorities.
Working closely with executive leadership and cross-functional teams, this individual will identify and cultivate partnerships that create meaningful value for the Association, its supporters, and the ALS community while advancing the mission to make ALS a livable disease while working toward a world without ALS.
Strategic Public Relations and Brand Elevation
- Develop and execute integrated public relations and brand strategies that strengthen the ALS Association’s reputation, visibility, credibility, and influence.
- Establish strategic partnerships as a key driver of brand awareness, audience growth, community engagement, and organizational impact.
- Identify opportunities to align the ALS Association with mission-compatible organizations, institutions, businesses, and influential stakeholders to expand its reach and strengthen brand recognition.
- Build a consistent and compelling public presence that reinforces the Association’s leadership, impact, and commitment to the ALS community.
- Identify emerging reputational, political, regulatory, and community issues that may affect the Association and recommend proactive strategies.
- Ensure public relations and partnership initiatives align with organizational priorities, programmatic goals, fundraising objectives, and long-term brand strategy.
Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships
- Develop and execute a strategic partnership approach that elevates the ALS Association’s brand and expands its presence across relevant industries, communities, and stakeholder networks.
- Identify, cultivate, and manage partnerships that increase awareness of ALS, introduce the Association to new audiences, and create opportunities for deeper engagement.
- Build relationships with healthcare organizations, corporations, advocacy groups, community organizations, and other mission-aligned partners to advance shared objectives.
- Create collaborative opportunities that leverage partner platforms, resources, expertise, and networks to amplify the Association’s mission and programs.
- Work cross-functionally to develop partnership initiatives that deliver measurable value, strengthen brand affinity, and support organizational priorities.
- Ensure partnerships reflect the Association’s values and contribute meaningfully to its reputation, visibility, and impact.
- Lead public relations strategies that increase awareness and understanding of the Association’s programs, services, initiatives, and impact.
- Partner with program leaders and cross-functional teams to identify compelling stories, outcomes, and opportunities that demonstrate the value of the Association’s work.
- Leverage strategic partnerships to amplify program visibility, support launches and expansions, and increase engagement with key initiatives.
- Develop collaborative opportunities that connect the Association’s programs with external partners, platforms, and audiences to broaden reach and strengthen mission awareness.
- Translate complex programmatic information into accessible, engaging narratives that resonate with people living with ALS, families, healthcare professionals, partners, donors, and the broader public.
- Ensure program public relations efforts reinforce the Association’s brand and demonstrate how its work supports people living with ALS and their families.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on brand strategy, public relations, partnership opportunities, stakeholder perceptions, and reputational considerations.
- Provide strategic guidance on partnership decisions and external opportunities that may affect the Association’s brand, credibility, or mission.
- Identify emerging opportunities to strengthen the Association’s influence, expand its network, and elevate its position within the nonprofit, healthcare, advocacy, and corporate sectors.
- Anticipate potential challenges and develop proactive strategies to address issues affecting the organization, its programs, partnerships, or the ALS community.
- Bring external perspectives and stakeholder insights into strategic discussions and organizational planning.
- Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, marketing, business, public affairs, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
- Seven to ten years of progressive experience in public relations, brand strategy, strategic partnerships, business development, or a related field, including senior-level leadership experience.
- Demonstrated success developing strategies that elevate organizational brands, expand visibility, and strengthen reputation through strategic partnerships.
- Experience cultivating relationships with corporate, healthcare, nonprofit, advocacy, and other mission-aligned partners.
- Proven ability to identify and execute partnerships that create shared value, expand audience reach, and advance organizational objectives.
- Experience advising executive leadership and navigating sensitive issues, complex stakeholder relationships, and reputational risks.
- Strong strategic judgment, relationship-building skills, written and verbal communication abilities, and cross-functional leadership experience.
- Experience in nonprofit, healthcare, advocacy, or association environments preferred.
- A demonstrated commitment to the mission of the ALS Association and the needs of people living with ALS and their families.
- Increased recognition, visibility, and positive perception of the ALS Association’s brand.
- Strategic partnerships that expand the Association’s reach, introduce new audiences to its mission, and strengthen its position as a leading voice in the ALS community.
- Measurable growth in partner engagement, collaborative initiatives, and opportunities for shared impact.
- Increased awareness and understanding of the Association’s programs, services, and mission.
- Stronger stakeholder trust and relationships across the ALS community and key partner networks.
- Effective integration of public relations and strategic partnerships into organizational planning and priorities.
- Proactive management of reputational risks and identification of opportunities to strengthen the Association’s influence and brand.
PAY TRANSPARENCY:
The ALS Association’s pay range for this position is $110,000–$125,000 annually.
The ALS Association’s pay range for this position is $110,000–$125,000 annually.
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