Senior Public Relations and Communication Manager, Lead Poisoning Prevention

Senior Public Relations and Communication Manager, Lead Poisoning Prevention

Job Purpose

Vital Strategies is expanding its lead poisoning prevention program to include nine countries and five states in India, to tackle one of the most pressing global health challenges. The Senior PR and Communication Manager will be responsible for guiding, implementing, coordinating and managing communication, especially public relations and stakeholder engagement, to advance the public health goals of the lead poisoning prevention program.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of media engagement strategies to elevate awareness of lead poisoning prevention efforts across a portfolio of five states in India: MP, Gujarat, Karnataka and two other states to be determined and other program countries.

• Cultivate and manage strong relationships with global and regional partners, journalists, editors, and key media outlets to secure high-impact coverage.

• Develop compelling press materials, including media pitches, press releases, op-eds, and talking points for spokespersons.

• Guide and support country-level teams in crafting and refining key messages for diverse stakeholder audiences, ensuring alignment with program goals.

• Provide media training and strategic counsel to program leaders and technical experts to enhance their ability to engage with press and key opinion leaders.

• Monitor media coverage and conduct sentiment analysis to inform program strategies and refine messaging.

• Create speaking and thought leadership opportunities -draft pitches and prepare staff for external engagements to increase our reach to target audiences.

• Collaborate with in-country partners and our HQ communication team to adapt global messaging to local contexts and emerging issues.

• Identify and engage key opinion leaders, influencers and advocates to amplify awareness and support for lead poisoning prevention.

• At the request of program leadership, provide crisis communication support in response to media inquiries, emerging health concerns and other urgent situations.

• Lead efforts to draw greater attention to lead poisoning in the media including identifying speaking and writing opportunities for technical leads, promoting program results and highlighting the issues of lead poisoning.

• Work closely with program leads to ensure alignment between communication and programmatic objectives.

• Contribute to broader initiative-wide communication efforts by sharing best practices and supporting global messaging and media outreach as needed.

• Work closely with the Senior PR Manager based in New York to ensure coordinated outreach and message consistency.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and degree

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in communications, journalism, public policy, public health, public relations or marketing.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated mastery of project management, including budget, vendors and contractor.

• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to think creatively.

• Demonstrated mastery of managing inbound requests and message development for written responses and talking points.

• Mastery of writing and preparing press materials, including press releases, fact sheets, and talking points.

• Excellent interpersonal skills.

• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across time zones and platforms.

Experience

Experience required:

• Minimum eight years of PR, communication and/or marketing experience

• Project management and coordination experience

Experience preferred:

• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and collaboratively within a global, cross-functional team.

• At least five years of progressive experience in communication and public relations, preferably within public health, environmental health or international development.

• Strong track record of successful media engagement and high-impact placements, with expertise in developing media strategies, targeting key outlets, and managing press outreach across diverse geographies.

• Extensive experience in writing and editing for various audiences, including press releases, op-eds, talking points, and stakeholder communication across print, digital, and multimedia platforms.

• Proven ability to cultivate relationships with journalists, editors, and key opinion leaders, positioning public health issues effectively in the media to drive awareness and policy change.

• Experience supporting or training in-country teams on press engagement and messaging, ensuring alignment with global and local communication strategies.

• Strong familiarity with crisis communication and the ability to manage media responses in high-stakes public health situations.

• Experience working on public health, environmental health, or policy-driven advocacy initiatives, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

• Fluent in English. Proficiency in one or more languages in our target area is an advantage.
  
  Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• The position will be required to travel internationally up to 15% of the time.

• The position must be willing and able to work across different time zones.

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