Director of Research Communications (Science Communications)

About Us:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) was founded in 2000 with one clear objective: accelerating meaningful therapeutic advances and, ultimately, a cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD). The Foundation applies extraordinary scientific, business and media assets to this singular focus—thus creating a unique and dynamic organization. Since inception, MJFF has quickly grown into the largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s disease research, having funded over $2 billion in research projects in both academic and industry labs worldwide.

Core to our philosophy is how we think of our capital and its risk profile relative to other stakeholders in the drug development pipeline. We work aggressively to de-risk various therapeutic strategies and tools in the hopes of building a robust pipeline of new treatments for patients. In order to achieve our mission of finding a cure for PD it is critical that we engage with, and bring together, members of the PD community including researchers, physicians, health professionals and most important, people with Parkinson's and their families.

We believe that to find a cure for PD as quickly as possible, our capital needs to push research forward today—we therefore deliberately hold no endowment or excessive reserves. We instead seek to deploy funds raised as quickly and wisely as possible. MJFF raises over $100 million annually. Today, the Foundation has approximately 300 full-time employees. We offer a collegial and collaborative environment where optimistic problem-solvers and entrepreneurial, resourceful individuals can thrive and make a tangible difference for millions of people living with Parkinson’s disease.

Position Summary:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (“the Foundation”) is seeking top talent for its Director of Research Communications position.  Reporting to the VP, Head of Editorial, this role leads strategy and oversees content development of the Foundation’s science and research reporting. This position acts as the Foundation’s science editor and content lead across all editorial verticals, responsible for all research coverage for audiences that include patients, family members, supporters and the Parkinson’s research community, with the goal of growing audience, stewarding donors and prospective donors and increasing brand awareness.  This role manages a science writing team, providing editorial leadership, reporting acumen, thoughtful editing and mentorship.

The position develops strong relationships with members of the Foundation’s internal research team and research leadership, guiding the strategy for research reporting in support of the Foundation’s communications and fundraising objectives. This role is also responsible for ensuring that reporting on available funding opportunities and funded studies is positioned to tell the story of the Foundation’s role as the world’s largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s research.  This position works closely with the Foundation’s corporate communications team to manage a wide range of partner communications. This role develops and directs strategies related to Foundation-sponsored and external conferences, ensuring that conference participation by our research team is properly amplified to the community through owned and earned media.  This position develops and executes on content strategy that is focused on making the Foundation the most trusted and sought-after source for information on advances in Parkinson’s disease research. This position also develops content aimed at growing patient recruitment for clinical trials and research.

This position should be based in the Northeast territory of the United States with the ability to travel to MJFF’s office in New York City.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Build the content strategy for the Foundation’s research reporting with an eye toward disseminating info strategically and efficiently across our digital and print properties and to varied audiences that include patients, families, supporters, clinicians and researchers
• Lead a team of on-staff science writers and freelancers to ensure timely, accurate and brand-specific reporting on Parkinson’s disease. Anticipate coverage where possible and quickly respond to breaking news when necessary
• Write and edit for a B2C lay, patient audience as well as for the B2B clinician and researcher community and be able to shift between the two seamlessly. Master the Foundation’s brand voice and tone, which is both realistic and optimistic, and bring it to all writing and editing
• Provide editorial standards for all science and research communications, ensuring accuracy, contextualization and strong storytelling around complex topics related to Parkinson’s as well as brain health and neurodegenerative diseases
• Develop and execute the research reporting editorial calendar, coordinating with multiple teams (corporate communications, print publications, social and medical communications) to ensure on-time go-lives and distribution of published content
• Coordinate with the Foundation’s sponsorship and alliances team on branded web content. Manage launches for new program webpages
• Serve as primary contact for the Research Business Unit. Be responsive to coverage requests and bring storytelling opportunities to the broader Communications department. Direct breaking news coverage, ensuring the Foundation’s positioning as thought leaders and experts on all things Parkinson’s disease. Coordinate coverage at scientific conferences, promoting our leadership in this space and the research that we fund
• Work in tandem with the media relations team to manage grantee and partner communications, including identifying spokespeople for external communications requests, and directing the science reporting team on writing talking points and briefers and drafting and reviewing partner press releases
• Cultivate relationships with key opinion leaders, both internal and external, to ensure timely collaboration, accurate sourcing and brand-specific context to all reporting. Manage bespoke requests from leadership, such as assistance with pitch decks, speech writing and journal submissions
• Use strong background in content strategy and SEO management to grow audience and traffic. Manage updates to evergreen web content, including program pages, funded studies and patient education information Understand and execute on the nuances between writing for digital and print audiences

 Qualifications and Skills:

• Relevant experience in in journalism, science writing or other related area
• Relevant experience in publishing, preferably in both print and digital environments. Experience in media relations is a plus. Knowledge of SEO and GEO strategies is a plus
• Relevant experience managing an editorial team of staff and freelance writers, including the ability to mentor early-career writers and provide training on science writing and digital best practices
• Relevant track record and portfolio of science writing and editing for lay and research audiences
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific concepts into compelling, accessible storytelling and promotional materials (samples required)
• Firm understanding of brain science and clinical research and the ability to interpret scientific data and reports
• Ability to independently identify story angles, trends and leads and anticipate coverage needs
• Ability to meet deadlines, manage expectations and create a nimble team that can adapt to varying and changing deadlines and project calendars
• Comfort interacting directly with PhD scientists to understand and communicate their work to varied audiences
• Experience working with high-value stakeholders and responding quickly, strategically and respectfully to priority requests
• Ability to problem solve and think strategically when developing content strategy and when responding to breaking news and urgent communications updates
• Please include portfolio samples with your job application.  Final candidates will be asked to complete a writing assignment.

Salary and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $130,000 to $150,000.  In addition to salary, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 15+ options for medical insurance (with the Foundation paying 90 percent of the premiums)
• Competitive dental and vision plans
• 401(k) plan with 6 percent employer contribution
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employer paid life and disability insurance
• 18 Vacation Days; 12 Well-Being (Sick) Days; 2 Personal Days; summer Fridays (office closure at 2 p.m.) and a summer holiday week over July 4
• Two ways of working: hybrid-flex, or remote work.  We trust all employees to work closely with their manager and colleagues to determine when, where and how programs and projects get done

Employees are also eligible for a discretionary bonus on an annual basis. The Foundation provides staff and leadership cultivation through regular training courses and events.   

How to Apply: 
Interested candidates should submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter describing through examples, their specific qualifications and interest in the position. If you think that your skills are transferable and can add value to this role, please apply. Applicants who best match the position’s needs will be contacted.

MJFF is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who will contribute to our efforts to build and support a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Diversity may refer to characteristics including, but not limited to, race, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic circumstance, geographic background, ability and disability, political ideology and age.