Vice President, Marketing & Communications

About PanCAN:

Pancreatic cancer doesn’t stop or slow down, and neither do we. At the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), we accelerate critical progress for pancreatic cancer patients. We take bold action by funding life-saving research, providing personalized patient services free of charge, and creating a community of supporters and volunteers who will stop at nothing to create a world in which all pancreatic cancer patients thrive. We’re looking for people who, like us, will stop at nothing to make progress for patients. Our work is critical and meaningful, and it changes lives every day. Join us and be a part of it!

THE OPPORTUNITY:

The Vice President, Marketing and Communications is a visionary, digitally fluent leader responsible for advancing a digital-first marketing and communications strategy that strengthens the organization’s brand, deepens engagement, and drives measurable growth in awareness, acquisition, engagement and retention.

As a key member of the Community Building and Growth Leadership Team, this role defines how the organization connects with its communities, advancing strategies that integrate storytelling, digital innovation, and audience insights to expand reach and impact. Serving as a bridge between mission, science, and philanthropy, this leader advances fundraising strategies and brings the organization’s scientific work to life through compelling, accessible communication.

This experienced marketing leader will bring deep expertise in brand positioning integrated marketing communications and digital strategy – including audience segmentation, content personalization, user experience, marketing automation, performance media and analytics. Equal parts strategist and operator, the Vice President will lead a high-performing team, developing clear and aligned strategic direction, establishing operational rigor, clear KPIs and a culture of continuous improvement to accelerate our shared goals.

The ideal candidate combines visionary marketing and communications leadership with hands-on digital acumen, translating insights into enterprise-wide impact. Their work ensures that every story, strategy and partnership, advances mission, awareness and revenue goals with clarity and purpose.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Enterprise Strategy and Growth

• Partner with the Chief Growth Officer and executive leadership to align marketing priorities with the organization’s strategic plan and growth model.
• Develop and execute an enterprise-wide digital marketing and communications strategy that integrates programmatic, fundraising, volunteer and advocacy priorities to drive awareness, engagement, conversion and retention.
• Advance the use of data, audience insights, and market trends to guide decision-making, resource allocation, and message optimization.
• Identify emerging digital trends, platforms, and partnerships that can expand reach and accelerate impact.

Digital Transformation and Performance

• Lead the digital evolution of the organization’s marketing infrastructure — evolving the website, social media, email, paid media, SEO/SEM, CRM, and analytics into an integrated, user-centered experience. This leader will ensure that digital strategy is not a department, but a discipline — integrated across the entire organization.
• Advance analytics, testing, and reporting to improve decision-making, transparency, and ROI.
• Champion digital accessibility, inclusivity, and innovation — ensuring all digital experiences reflect organizational values.

Brand, Communications, and Content Strategy

• Develop and implement an integrated marketing and communications strategy that aligns with PanCAN’s goals, including leading all creative brand design and narrative.
• Develop and lead the overall content strategy and editorial architecture — ensuring all digital, video, and written content is optimized. Partner across departments to unify messaging, content, and digital experiences.
• Steward the organization’s brand as a strategic asset, ensuring consistency and authenticity across all platforms.
• Lead public relations, media strategy, and issues management, protecting and promoting the organization’s reputation.
• Elevate executive visibility and thought leadership across key audiences and media channels.

Integrated Campaigns and Enterprise Collaboration

• Drive integrated, multi-channel campaigns that align programmatic, fundraising, volunteer and advocacy priorities to deliver campaigns that are measurable, iterative, and scalable — such as Clinical Trials Awareness Month, Diet and Nutrition Month, Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, and PurpleStride.
• Partner across departments to unify messaging, content, and community member experiences.
• Build and cultivate strategic partnerships and identify new channels for growth, visibility, and influencer collaborations to amplify reach and relevance.

Team and Operational Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing Marketing and Communications team committed to excellence, accountability, and creativity.
• Implement operational systems, processes, and governance frameworks that ensure consistency, quality, agility, and scalability.
• Manage budgets, vendors, and contracts to optimize performance and value.
• Promote a culture of learning, creativity, and continuous improvement aligned with the organization’s mission and values.

Management Responsibilities:

In accordance with applicable company policies/procedures and Federal/State laws, may perform the following supervisory responsibilities: Interviewing, hiring orienting and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; coaching, mentoring, and appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Direct reports:

• Senior Director, Public Relations
• Director, Community Engagement and Fundraising Marketing
• Director, Digital Marketing Operations
• Director, Design
• Associate Director, Social Media and Brand Marketing
• Associate Director, Marketing and Editorial

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

The following are the minimum qualifications which an individual needs in order to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this position:

• Years of experience may vary based on the position, duties, and responsibilities. Preferred years of experience 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in non-profit marketing, digital strategy, communications, or brand management, with demonstrated success driving measurable growth in complex organizations
• Deep expertise in digital ecosystems — including website management, full-funnel engagement strategies, CRM integration, marketing automation, SEO/SEM, paid media, analytics, and performance dashboards
• Proven ability to lead data-informed, cross-channel marketing strategies that drive both revenue and engagement outcomes
• Strong command of storytelling, content marketing, and brand positioning across digital and traditional platforms
• Experience leading high-performing, multidisciplinary teams in fast-paced, mission-driven environments
• Proficiency in marketing technology systems, particularly Salesforce CRM, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, and Luminate Online
• Exceptional communication, influence, and stakeholder management
• Mission-driven, with a passion for using innovation, data, and creativity to accelerate organizational impact

SALARY RANGE: ($185-220k) PanCAN is committed to providing fair and transparent employee pay. Our compensation policy and practices integrate years of relative experience, skills, job duties, functions, responsibilities, education, certifications, expertise, PanCAN seniority, position/title, department, market conditions, and merit, and may also include geographic location. Our base salaries range from Entry level to Experienced and max at Expert level. The base pay range included herein is specific and germane to the job/position/opening as described within this announcement.

The Offer: To support the people fighting the world’s toughest cancer, we provide our staff with the resources, care, and sparkle to do and be their best in and out of the office. We offer competitive salaries, flexible work arrangements, exceptional time off, and health and welfare benefits creating an extraordinary workplace and culture that our team members highly recommend to friends and colleagues.

Expectations for All Employees: Support the organization’s mission and goals by exhibiting the following core values: Deliver Excellence, Service & Gratitude, Accountability, Team, and Sparkle Spirit! Individuals assigned to this position must be able to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with demonstrated ability to juggle and prioritize multiple, competing tasks and demands and to seek management assistance as appropriate.

General Information: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is an equal opportunity employer and affords equal opportunity to all applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected under local, state, or federal laws.