Job Posting: Associate Director for Communications & Public Liaison

Summary

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the Department of Health and Human Services, is the largest biomedical research funding organization in the world. NIH is made up of 27 Institutes and Centers. The Office of the Director (OD) in the NIH is seeking exceptional candidates for the position of Associate Director for Communications and Public Liaison. This is a career Federal position in the Senior Executive Service. See the "Duties" section for a list of the major responsibilities.

Duties

Duties and Responsibilities: The Associate Director for Communications and Public Liaison (ADCPL) serves as principal advisor to the Director and Principal Deputy Director, NIH, on issues affecting the conduct of communication and public liaison activities at NIH. The ADCPL is responsible for planning, directing, and executing national health and research communication efforts, including national press conferences, other forms of media engagement, social media strategies, and the use of other communication tools to convey health information based on NIH research or other NIH activities of significant interest to the public, policymakers, and the research community. The ADCPL is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with high-level staff, including senior executives, corporate leaders, representatives of other Federal agencies, colleagues, universities, the media (foreign and domestic), specialized interest groups, and congressional offices to facilitate information exchange about NIH programs and in response to specific inquiries. The ADCPL is responsible for planning and executing special events on the NIH campus, including VIP visits, dedications, etc., and provides oversight of all official visits by heads of state, the Executive Branch, state and local elected officials, and influential members of the private sector. The ADCPL provides oversight into all issues arising in connection with the FOIA, establishing and implementing NIH policies; establishing procedures for documenting release or denial; preparation of appeals; liaison with PHS/DHHS FOIA staff; and the provision of FOIA training for grants and contracts employees at the NIH. The ADCPL leads the agency's media relations effort by serving as the NIH spokesperson on such issues, coordinating with DHHS and the White House on such activities, and representing the NIH Director in such interactions The ADCPL leads public outreach efforts by providing research-related information to the public and targeted audiences, including biomedical researchers, healthcare professionals, institutional leaders, and government officials, both independently and through subordinate staff. Manages an annual budget of approximately $28.6M and directs a staff of approximately 118 FTEs.

Who Can Apply