Director, Healthcare Communications

Pinkston • Full-time • Falls Church, VA, US • 10h ago

Position Summary

The Director, Healthcare Communications, is a senior leader responsible for shaping and executing high-impact communications strategies for healthcare clients, including public health and mission-driven organizations. This individual brings a wealth of direct experience in media engagement—serving as a spokesperson, press secretary, reporter, or senior advisor—and is adept at navigating complex, regulated healthcare environments to achieve client objectives. The Director plays a vital external and internal role, serving as a senior client advisor, coach, team leader, and media expert. The Director ensures excellence in strategy, message development, media relations, crisis navigation, and team development. Success in this role will require furthering the public's understanding of healthcare policies in line with current federal priorities and policy directives.

Additional Details

Status: Exempt Salaried
Work Location: Falls Church, Virginia
Travel: 5-10%

Role Responsibilities (Pitching/writing, Media Intel, Client Relations)

Lead the strategic vision, planning, and execution of communications programs for healthcare-focused clients, including public health organizations
Serve as senior communications advisor to client leadership—guiding interview preparation, message development, media briefings, and overall media strategy
Act as spokesperson or designated media representative for clients as needed or coach others in these roles
Leverage experience as a reporter, press secretary, or other similar role to anticipate media narratives, identify reputational risks, and guide client responses
Develop and direct crisis communications plans and manage rapid response to protect client reputations in sensitive situations
Provide innovative insights on public health messaging, government relations, and community engagement relevant to healthcare
Oversee account teams, ensuring quality, timeliness, and alignment with client expectations, contract terms, and organizational best practices
Direct media relations strategy, cultivating relationships with top-tier trade, consumer, and policy media; lead pitching efforts for major announcements and thought leadership
Train and mentor staff in advanced interview preparation and public affairs strategy
Partner with firm leadership for business development, including proposal presentations and pitching new business
Ensure compliance with relevant regulations when communicating about healthcare topics (HIPAA, etc.)
Foster a culture of collaboration, professional growth, and shared success within account teams

Requirements

Skills & Qualifications

Required

Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, public health, or related field (Master's preferred)
8-12 years of communications/public affairs experience, with significant experience in healthcare, public health, or health policy environments
Up-to-date knowledge of major public health policy initiatives, including those most recently advanced at the federal level
Demonstrable leadership experience in managing client relationships and teams
Experience as a spokesperson, press secretary, journalist, or senior external communications advisor
Deep understanding of healthcare media, public health communications practices, and regulatory landscape
Excellent crisis communications, message development, and media training skills
Track record navigating shifting priorities and complex, sensitive issues with sound judgment
Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills; comfortable engaging with senior leaders, clinicians, and policy stakeholders
Alignment with Pinkston's guiding principles

Culture

Commitment to Pinkston's values, collaborative spirit, and pursuit of client impact
Proactive, resourceful, and resilient in facing challenges and change
Embraces mentorship, curiosity, and shared learning
Models and upholds ethical communications practices
Invested in building a greater narrative for clients and the communities they impact

Who We Are

Pinkston is a full-service branding, marketing, and communications agency offering integrated public relations, creative, digital, and research services to transform companies and organizations. As an outcome-driven agency, Pinkston is committed to delivering customized, strategic solutions that drive real-world impact.

Benefits

Pinkston offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes company-sponsored health, dental, and vision plans accompanied by employer-funded life insurance, HRA, and short-term disability plan. Optional long-term disability and additional Life Insurance are also available. Pinkston provides a 401k retirement plan and contributes to each employee's retirement annually regardless of employee participation.

At Pinkston, we believe great things happen when people come together and are committed to building a collaborative in-person work environment. Pinkston is also committed to a healthy work-life balance. We offer flexibility through an innovative hybrid work model that gives team members the opportunity to work from home up to 30% of the time. Pinkston provides generous holiday and vacation policies, paid parental leave, and an additional week of paid "volunteer time off" to encourage employees to invest time in a 501C non-profit of their choice.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Pinkston is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Pinkston makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.