Senior Director, Public Policy Communications

Position: Senior Director, Public Policy Communications

Reports to: EVP, Chief Strategy and Public Policy Officer

Position Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Hybrid - Proximity to Washington, DC required

DESCRIPTION:

The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. For over half a century, we have made tangible progress in our three mission pillars: research, care, and education. Today, we continue to:

• Fund game-changing research on treatment and care.
• Support the delivery of high-quality care to people living with Parkinson’s.
• Serve as the trusted and go-to source for information and resources on Parkinson’s disease.
• Convene the best minds from every corner of the global Parkinson’s community to develop research and clinical approaches that enhance care and move us closer to a cure.
• Advance policy changes around research, care, education and prevention.
• As an evidence-based organization, everything we do is informed by facts, careful planning and involvement of our PD community members. We seek to build on our 2026-2029 Strategic Plan to achieve even greater results by 2030.

PRIMARY ROLE: The Parkinson’s Foundation is seeking a strategic and driven Senior Director to lead communications for the Foundation’s public policy efforts. As a key member of the growing Public Policy team, and working closely with the communications team, this individual will develop and execute a strategic communications plan to advance the Foundation’s policy goals, increase advocacy and engagement among the Foundation’s extensive network of volunteers, and establish the Foundation as a key player in the policy space. This individual will work closely with the Public Policy and Communications teams to maximize key policy moments and create proactive campaigns to increase awareness around the Foundation’s public policy agenda and drive policy outcomes. This role requires cross-collaboration across internal teams and external partners, strong writing skills, and experience in policy communications. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Strategic Planning: Develop and execute a communications strategy to advance the Foundation’s policy goals on federal and state levels, support volunteer advocacy, and elevate the brand recognition of the Foundation’s policy work. Develop and manage a content calendar to advance key policy goals, in coordination with the organization’s overarching content calendars.
• Content Development: Develop policy communications materials for both traditional and social media content, including press releases, blog posts, webpage content, media toolkits, social media posts, calls to action, advocacy materials for volunteers, talking points, and other press materials for Foundation staff, surrogates, and advocates. 
• Rapid Response: Develop and execute a rapid response program for key policy moments, including identifying and preparing for potential scenarios, drafting and disseminating materials, and coordinating with aligned organizations.
• Advocacy and Events: Strategic communications support for state and federal advocacy days, including pre-event, live, and post-event materials. Develop messaging guidance and content tailored for media engagement during advocacy events. Integrate stories of people with PD and caregivers into policy communications materials.
• Local Chapter and Volunteer Activation: Develop materials for local PF chapters and volunteers to engage in policy advocacy at the state and federal levels, including talking points, templates, and toolkits. Work directly with local chapters to support policy communications efforts as needed.
• Media Outreach: Develop and execute a media outreach strategy focused on policymakers, health policy partners, and other relevant stakeholders. Conduct targeted outreach to policy-focused media and influencers. Assist the Foundation with strengthening relationships with health policy reporters. Support digital advocacy planning and media buys. Respond to media inquiries and prepare Foundation staff for policy-related media interviews.
• Brand and Messaging Consistency: Coordinate with the Foundation’s communications team to ensure brand and message consistency across policy communications content.

EXPERIENCE/SKILLS REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Policy, Political Science, or a related field. 
• 7+ years of experience in policy communications, advocacy, or media relations, which can include work on Capitol Hill, a state legislature, or in a federal agency.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and translate complex policy issues for a wider, general public audience.
• Strong interpersonal skills with experience building and managing relationships with reporters, external partner staff, and/or advocates. 
• Track record of managing multiple projects and meeting deadlines.
• Deep policy media relationships, particularly in the federal health policy space, as well as policymakers to influence policy outcomes.
• Experience working with external vendors on communications campaigns.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Experience developing multiple types of policy communications materials and adapting materials and messaging for different audiences. 
• Ability to travel as needed for advocacy meetings, conferences, and legislative sessions.
• Demonstrated commitment to the organizational values of excellence, teamwork, collaboration, integrity, positivity, dedication and responsiveness.

COMPENSATION

Salary for this position is competitive and depends on prior experience. In addition, a comprehensive benefits package is included. The salary range for this position is $110,000 to $130,000. This salary range reflects current market data and is aligned with the responsibilities and qualifications required for this role. Final compensation will be determined based on a candidate’s skills, experience, and alignment with organizational needs.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and salary requirement to employment@parkinson.org. Please indicate, “Senior Director, Public Policy Communication” in the subject line. Resumes without a cover letter and salary requirements will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; those submitted by May 4, 2026, will receive priority review. No phone calls please.

The Parkinson’s Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our culture and in our work on behalf of people with Parkinson's disease.