340B Health seeks a Senior Vice President of Communications to lead its internal and external communications efforts. Candidates should be experienced communications strategists and have a varied background that includes working with media and policymakers, designing advocacy campaigns, and using a wide range of tools to advance the organization’s mission.

340B Health represents more than 1,400 private and public nonprofit hospitals that participate in the 340B drug pricing program, which provides critical support for safety-net hospitals serving large numbers of low-income and/or rural patients. By requiring drug companies to sell outpatient drugs to qualified hospitals at a discount, 340B creates savings that help support care that might otherwise be unaffordable.

The Senior Vice President of Communications plays a critical role in shaping the organization’s messaging and developing innovative approaches to advance its advocacy and education initiatives. This position reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer, is part of the senior leadership team, and works across the organization to support its efforts in government relations, legal and policy development, education, and operations.

The ideal candidate will conceive, develop, implement, and measure the effectiveness of national media campaigns to educate and advocate on behalf of 340B Health member hospitals with policymakers and influencers while building and maintaining strong relationships with key media outlets, allied associations, and organizations representing the health care needs of patients.

Candidates must be able to build, nurture, and mentor a small team of professionals to execute a multi-faceted communications strategy and continuously develop new methods to achieve the organization’s communications and financial goals.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop the communications strategy for the organization:

• In close partnership with the CEO and Senior Leadership, develop and deliver a communications plan that will help achieve the organization's vision and strategy
• Develop strategies to reach policymakers and influencers to inform them about the value of 340B and 340B hospitals
• Develop and execute comprehensive communications plans in support of organizational objectives and program priorities
• Develop media outreach strategies, using an array of methods and tools (i.e., earned, owned, paid, and shared media) as needed
• Ensure program staff are prepared to speak with media
• Develop and maintain communications vehicles (i.e., newsletters, video reports, blog posts, podcasts, webinars) to inform and educate 340B Health member hospitals and partners on news developments and analysis in a timely manner

Serve as the lead spokesperson for the organization:

• Support the CEO in serving as the organization’s primary spokesperson, including with media representatives and allied organizations
• Serve as point person for crisis management efforts to respond effectively to threats to 340B, member hospitals, and/or 340B Health
• Coordinate and collaborate with allied organizations representing hospitals, pharmacists, and patients
• Develop and maintain relationships with reporters and media outlets to allow the organization to be the primary resource for information about 340B
• Work with external consultants to develop and maintain relationships with organizations advocating for patients, health care equity, and social justice to enable joint or concurrent efforts to protect and advocate for 340B

Lead the organization’s development of, and performance on, internal communications and departmental goals:

• Serve as member of the Senior Leadership Team and contribute to achievement of high-impact and organization-approved goals
• Work closely and proactively with staff to ensure that communication needs are being met across all departments and functions.
• Ensure that all internal and external communications (i.e., newsletters, media relations, podcasts, videos, websites, social media) are consistent, cohesive, and strategic
• Develop promotional, outreach, and marketing strategies for internal publications, membership, and educational programs
• Develop, implement, and track departmental budget

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

 Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s Degree preferred

• Minimum of 10-15 years proven experience in a senior communications role in an association, public relations/affairs agency, political campaign, or government environment.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Polished speaker with excellent oral and written communication skills that enable them to communicate complex subjects clearly
• A flexible, quick-thinking leader who can respond and adapt to a fast-moving environment
  • Knowledge of health care, pharmaceutical, and/or federal drug pricing policy is a plus
• Demonstrated skills and experience with earned, owned, shared, and paid media
• Experience managing a team of professionals and outside retained consultants to achieve results on multiple simultaneous issues, building collaboration among staff members and other departments
• Available off hours for rapid response and crisis communications
• A demonstrated record of success leading, developing, and managing:
  • Communications strategies and campaigns
  • Effective communication in complex policy environments
  • Publications and other digital media
  • On-the-record interaction with media
  • Departmental and organizational goals and budgets

OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION: 

• We strive to create a meaningful work environment for all our employees, one in which diverse teams and diverse ideas are valued. Our goal is to attract qualified candidates and encourage applications from all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic. Hiring great people from a wide variety of backgrounds helps keep our organization vital and strong.
• Staff are currently in the office on a minimum of  2-3 days per week schedule during the COVID pandemic. A permanent policy governing the number of days required to work in the office has not yet been established. Candidates for this position must live in or be relocating to the Washington D.C. metropolitan area and be able to work in the Washington, D.C. office.
• 340B Health requires all employees for whom the COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for use by the World Health Organization (WHO) be vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after the single-dose J&J/Janssen vaccine.  340B Health will consider exemption requests from candidates who cannot be vaccinated due to disability, medical contraindication, or sincerely held religious beliefs and those who claim an exemption under applicable state law.
• Position requires limited domestic travel.
• The description above is not intended to enumerate all duties and/or responsibilities of the position.

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply please visit the 340B Health career center to access the online application process for this position.

BENEFITS:

340B Health provides a market-leading salary and benefits package that includes:

• Generous paid leave including federal holidays and December holiday week office closure
• Employer matching retirement plan with additional contribution opportunities via 457(b) plan
• Employer supplemented medical, dental and vision benefit plans including an employee assistance program
• Pre-tax medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Paid disability, individual disability, and life insurance premiums

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

As a small staff organization, 340B Health supports a collaborative working environment and recognizes the importance of each position’s value in meeting organizational goals. 340B Health offers an exceptional compensation package including health, dental, life insurance, disability insurance, paid time off, retirement plan matching, and more.

We value a truly diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity and belonging. Our goal is to attract qualified candidates and encourage applications from all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We’re committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation.

About 340B Health

340B Health is a membership organization of more than 1,400 public and private nonprofit hospitals and health systems in the federal 340B drug pricing program. We are the leading advocate and resource for those providers who serve their communities through participation in the 340B drug pricing program. The organization formed in 1993 to increase the affordability and accessibility of pharmaceutical and clinical care for the nation's poor and underserved populations. 340B Health monitors, educates, and serves as an advocate on federal legislative and regulatory issues related to drug pricing and other pharmacy matters affecting safety-net providers. Our membership consists of a broad spectrum of hospitals, including academic medical centers, community hospitals, children's hospitals, and rural facilities.

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