Senior Corporate Communications Specialist (Science Press 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 Senior Corporate Communications Specialist position. Sitting at the nexus of fundraising, research, policy and other Foundation initiatives, this role leads proactive and responsive media relations mapped to a wide range of business goals, budgets and timelines. This position works with colleagues in Communications, Marketing, Research, Development and the C-suite, as well as with agency teams and spokespeople to shape corporate communications strategy.  In addition, this position is part of the small group of individuals responsible for liaising between the Foundation and Michael J. Fox’s personal team.

This is a hybrid-flex position that will require in-person attendance on a semi-regular basis at the Foundation’s office in New York City.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Media Relations/PR:

• Strategize and execute media relations in service of wide-ranging business goals
  • Proactively pitch and be responsive to incoming earned media opportunities
  • Build and cultivate roster of regular KOLs, both external and internal
  • Lead creation of media briefers and other materials as interviews are secured
  • Oversee the tracking and maintenance of a database of secured stories, press list and key opinion leaders
• Lead day-to-day management of the Foundation’s PR counsel, including an agency team and a small roster of consultants who advise on specific issues including legal affairs, crisis communications and Michael J. Fox’s personal role in Foundation initiatives
• Collaborate with Michael's personal publicity team and third-party PR consultants leading up to special events with celebrity stakeholders to ensure proper communication and execution of red carpet and press

Corporate Communications:

• Execute large-scale Foundation communications plans for organizational announcements and launches
• Cultivate and manage speaking and interview opportunities for Foundation executives and prepare/train executives for speaking engagements
• Draft messaging and strategy to serve media relations, speaking engagements and external relations
• Create content for Foundation-related announcements, including press release, blogs, webpages, etc.
• Keep internal teams apprised of evolving strategies, plans and execution around corporate communications initiatives; work with the Marketing teams to establish PR success metrics and tracking

Brand Reputation:

• Vet external inquiries pertaining to the Foundation and/or Michael, use of Foundation's brand (name, logo, etc.) and assets (photos, videos, resources, etc.) to position the Foundation as a pioneering disease research nonprofit
• Support internal and external branding and storytelling communications that is representative of the Foundation's diverse Parkinson's community
• Act as a global communications conduit among Foundation leads, stakeholders, and PR leads
• Educate reporters and influencers on the Foundation
• Support issues and crisis communications planning and management

Qualifications and Skills:

• Relevant, progressively responsible strategic communications experience
• Excellent writing and strong attention to detail
• Top-notch project management
• Good news judgement
• Affinity and enthusiasm for working within established brand identity parameters
• Ability to produce high-quality work quickly with competing deadlines, working cross-functionally and with urgency across different internal stakeholders and outside partners
• Ability to initiate and manage relationships with internal and external partners at all levels, including staff, Board and council members, vendors, prospective donors
• Experience in science communications (for example, working in the communications or news office of a research institute or university) or, at minimum, strong interest in biology and neuroscience
• Natural relationship management instincts; savvy for building consensus and gaining buy-in from wide-ranging stakeholders; good sense of humor
• Comfort in a change-oriented setting
• Some travel (10 percent) will be required

Salary and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $85,000 to $105,000.  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.