Chief Communications Officer
Remote
ReThink Media
Date Posted: 12/11/2024
About Health Care Without Harm
Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) works to transform the health sector worldwide into a leader for environmental health and justice. Working globally, HCWH collaborates with healthcare professionals, hospitals, NGOs, governments, and international entities to promote environmentally healthy practices in healthcare, focusing on reducing the environmental footprint of the healthcare sector and acting as a community anchor for sustainability.
With regional offices in the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia, and a network of strategic partners across continents, HCWH fosters global and regional collaborations to address climate and health issues supported by a global team. Its Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Network has over 1,700 members in 83 countries who represent the interests of more than 70,000 hospitals and health centers. As the sister organization of HCWH in the U.S., Practice Greenhealth is the leading nonprofit membership and network organization for sustainable health care, delivering environmental solutions to more than 1,100 members throughout the United States.
Over three decades, Health Care Without Harm has built the most extensive global network at the intersection of human and planetary health. Regional teams in Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia, the United States and Canada, and a global secretariat collaborate with partners and allies around the world and drive global and regional initiatives.
In recent years, HCWH has also established itself as a world leader on climate change and health, developing tools and strategies that can help hospitals and health systems move toward low-carbon health care delivery and broadening the climate conversation to include a powerful public health dimension.
The HCWH United States entity houses a U.S. domestic program team and the Global and Latin America teams, while also fulfilling a secretariat role for the HCWH global network on key infrastructure functions. Over the past decade, HCWH has seen significant growth in its program portfolio and a significant recognition of HCWH global network role from key stakeholders in the health and environmental sector at the national and global level, reflecting an expanding impact in the healthcare sector's approach to environmental health and sustainability.
To learn more, please visit www.noharm.org.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
HCWH and Practice Greenhealth are steadfast in their commitment to fostering culturally and ethnically diverse organizations and upholding principles that promote inclusive practices. The organizations are dedicated to building a diverse staff and engaging employees with the expertise and interest to serve the mission of the organizations in respectful ways. HCWH proudly stands as an Equal Opportunity Employer, ensuring every individual's contribution is valued in its collective pursuit of environmental health and justice.
The Chief Communications Officer Opportunity
As Health Care Without Harm steps into the next phase of its journey with a new strategic plan, the organization is poised to elevate its strategic communications to new heights. This evolution aims to amplify our message, engage a broader audience, and deepen our impact on global health care policies and practices, notably on strengthening the health sector voice in advocacy and campaigning. The Chief Communications Officer will play a pivotal role in this transformative phase, leading efforts to innovate, integrate, and inspire through dynamic and influential communication strategies that resonate across diverse platforms.
HCWH seeks an experienced, intellectually curious, and dynamic communications leader to drive our strategic communications efforts. As a key member of the U.S. Executive Leadership Team, the Chief Communications Officer will focus on high-level strategic planning and oversight, developing and implementing a comprehensive communications strategy that aligns with HCWH’s global and U.S. program portfolios and contribute to the organization’s overarching strategic plans related to network growth and philanthropic fundraising. They will leverage strong management experience to guide the success of HCWH’s communications team and excellent relationship-building skills to engage colleagues throughout the global and U.S. entities.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership and Global Coordination
Lead the development and implementation of HCWH’s global strategic communications plan, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives
Collaborate with communications teams across the global network to coordinate efforts, leverage the voice of the network, strengthen collective impact, and maintain cohesive messaging and branding strategies
Executive Leadership
Collaborate closely with other members of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to ensure that communications strategies and resources align with the organization’s priorities and are clearly understood by the ELT and broader organization
Team Management and Development
Build and lead a diverse communications team, fostering a culture of collaboration, mentorship, and high performance
Provide coaching and development opportunities to team members to enhance their skills and effectiveness
Advocacy, Campaigns, and Content Management
Spearhead communications strategies for global and U.S. advocacy initiatives
Oversee the development of impactful content for HCWH’s networks and programs, ensuring broad reach and engagement
Digital Engagement and Public and Media Relations
Drive the communication team’s work to craft and execute digital strategies and manage HCWH’s online presence
Oversee the implementation of comprehensive media plans to enhance public engagement and visibility
Brand Management
Develop and maintain a consistent brand voice that reflects HCWH’s mission and positions HCWH as a key reference organization in climate, health, and sustainability
Collaborate with and contribute to fundraising and network growth and engagement efforts through strategic branding
Major Events and Convenings
Collaborate with the development and program teams to coordinate impactful public events during major events like COP, ClimateWeek, and others
Resource Optimization, Budget Management, and Performance Evaluation
Efficiently manage the communications budget and resources, ensuring optimal use
Lead monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities for assessing communication effectiveness and impact
Candidate Profile
Strong candidates for the Chief Communications Officer role will possess many, though perhaps not all, of the following experiences, characteristics, and qualifications:
At least 10 years of experience in strategic communications roles, with at least 5 years in leadership positions
Prior experience in nonprofit advocacy organizations with an international reach; background in organizations related to climate, public health, and sustainability is an advantage but not a requirement
Demonstrated ability to serve as an inspirational leader who can motivate and galvanize team members and colleagues toward achieving shared goals; experience managing teams and working within complex organizational structures
Proven expertise in crafting impactful messaging that aligns with an organization’s mission, effectively planning successful communications campaigns, and advocating persuasively across a variety of platforms and in diverse settings
Strong skills in developing engaging web content and managing dynamic social media campaigns
Ability to frame and pitch stories to the media, ensuring compelling and persuasive narratives
Proven ability to work effectively in multicultural settings, with experience in global or international communications
Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to maintain organizational style and tone
Strong organizational, time management, and resource management skills
Experience and comfort working in virtual or remote environments, demonstrating the ability to manage teams and collaborate effectively across different time zones and digital platforms
Proficiency in English is essential; fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred, given the global nature of HCWH’s work and its engagement in Spanish-speaking regions
Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in communications or a related field. Advanced degrees or certifications in communications, journalism, or public relations are highly valued.
Location, Compensation & Benefits
This is a remotely-based position. Candidates may be based in any location in or outside of the U.S. that overlaps 6 working hours between 9 am and 5 pm ET.
The salary for this position is expected to be $160,000.
HCWH offers an excellent benefits package that includes full family medical (including contributions toward the deductible), dental, and vision payment by HCWH, and a retirement plan with employer contribution, as well as other great benefits such as 4 weeks’ vacation and 14 paid holidays.
In addition, as part of our team, you will:
Work for an organization where the mission is inspiring and your colleagues care deeply for the mission and the network of people carrying out that mission;
Play a key role in helping drive growth, influence impact, and advance efforts to create a more sustainable health care sector and community; and
Be part of an inspirational global network.
