Associate Director, Marketing & Communications, Health Disparities Program

About BCRF

Breast cancer is a complex disease with no simple solution. Research is the key to stopping it in its tracks. Founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) is the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world. We invest in the best minds in science—from those investigating prevention, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and metastasis—giving them the opportunity to pursue their most innovative ideas. Our combination of investment and cross-disciplinary collaboration accelerates the entire field and builds momentum for new discoveries. 

Since its inception, BCRF has invested over $900 million in research, which has significantly contributed to a 43% decline in breast cancer deaths over the past three decades. BCRF investigators have been behind every major breakthrough in breast cancer research, and the field is moving faster than ever. 

Today, BCRF is the largest private funder of breast cancer research—and metastatic breast cancer research—worldwide and the country’s top-rated breast cancer research organization. BCRF is currently supporting 255 investigators across 14 countries at leading medical and academic institutions with $62.3 million in scientific grants. 

About the Role

Our decades-long commitment to ending disparities was given an unprecedented boost with funding by the Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation. This support enabled BCRF to launch the Health Equity Initiative, under our Health Disparities Program umbrella, to supplement our grants dedicated to disparities and undertake a comprehensive study of the social and biological drivers of breast cancer in Black women.

The stark reality is: Black women are 40 percent more likely than white women to die from breast cancer in the U.S.; nearly twice as many Black women are likely to have metastatic breast cancer; Black women are also more likely to be diagnosed at younger ages and with more aggressive subtypes like triple-negative breast cancer. All of these alarming statistics are a core piece of each strategic priority. In order to improve outcomes within this population, we must not only understand the tumor biology of breast cancer in black women, but we must also better understand inherited risk, TNBC and metastatic disease. Simultaneously, we have to better understand how risk management needs to be personalized to each individual patient, particularly as Black women face the highest incidence rates in women under 40– a group that is not being screened. 

The Associate Director of Marketing & Communications, Health Disparities Program will focus on amplifying the conversation around the stark and unacceptable disparities which exist in breast cancer outcomes and driving visibility for BCRF’s Health Disparities Program. 

The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated self-starter with meticulous attention to detail, the ability to be strategic, yet nimble. The candidate will be a subject-matter expert – someone who can convene partners, speak on panels and at conferences, to media and across our social channels. They will be focused on developing and executing communications and content marketing strategies and driving audience and program visibility across multi-platform materials (print, digital, social, video.) They will develop messaging and content that will focus on raising awareness of not only the disparities that exist, but also the complex and multifactorial nature of disparities across all areas of research. The scope of work will center around the Health Equity Initiative but also include the broader Health Equity Program and the intersections of other BCRF initiatives and research projects that are connected to our work in closing the gaps in progress. 

The Associate Director will be a deeply skilled writer, have experience in translating scientific research to a lay audience, and a deep understanding of the disparities that exist in breast cancer. They should work well cross-functionally and collaboratively, have a strong understanding of scientific research and, ideally, experience in both partnerships and marketing communications roles. An understanding of healthcare industry trends is a plus. Experience working in journalism, communications, healthcare, cancer, scientific research and / or health equity preferred. An understanding of healthcare industry trends and regulations is a plus. Experience working in health care, cancer, scientific research and / or health equity preferred.

Primary Responsibilities:

Marketing

• Develop and execute marketing and communications strategies that support the messaging and amplification of BCRF’s progress in disparities research 
• Work in close partnership with the research and scientific team, corporate partnerships team, and liaise with researchers themselves when appropriate
• Identify and develop strategic partnerships with both organizations and individuals  
• Identify and speak at conferences, events and on panels as a subject-matter expert 
• Develop digital, print and marketing communication assets related to BCRF’s disparities work, including website, social media channels, and email
• Creating compelling content and a social media strategy focused on discoveries and disparities 
• Write about breast cancer research in various formats including but not limited to: breaking news, keyword-rich articles optimized for SEO, news pieces about BCRF-supported studies and trending topics, recaps of need-to-know news from major cancer research conferences (SABCS, ASCO, AACR), profiles of and Q&As with BCRF investigators, listacles, and more.
• Serve as a public face of BCRF scientific content on social media and video; interview BCRF investigators virtually and live at conferences and meetings.
• Edit and fact-check scientific content written by others as needed.
• Advance BCRF SEO strategy by performing keyword research to identify and outline new scientific content opportunities; optimizing and regularly updating existing scientific content; performing content audits and keyword gap analyses; conceiving of and optimizing scientific content landing pages.

Communications 

• Manage internal and external communications efforts related to BCRF’s disparities work
• Oversee inbound and managing strategic outbound public relations efforts, including vetting and preparing for media opportunities, developing op-eds or content with an eye towards media pitching 
• Identify and apply to participate in relevant conferences and events focused on breast cancer, research, health equity, partnership marketing 
• Serve as a key spokesperson for media opportunities, as well as events, donor and partner meetings, and more 
• Create key narratives, content and strategies which highlight BCRF’s work in disparities 
• Create impact-focused messaging that reports on progress, without waiting for breakthroughs or published papers 

Tracking and Analysis 

• Owning and evolving key insights on current and target audiences 
• Defining and tracking the impact of BCRF’s marketing and communications efforts on brand awareness and growth 
• Analysis of marketing and communications efforts 
• Staying up-to-date on marketing and communications trends

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, marketing, communications, or a related field, graduate degree a plus
• 7-10 years of experience in a marketing and communications role
• Strong track record of writing and editing skills
• Strong communicator and public speaker
• Strong understanding of scientific research, health equity, cancer and healthcare sectors, including industry trends and regulations 
• Hands-on self-starter who can lead and execute multiple marketing initiatives and balance multiple projects at once 
• Excellent writing and editing skills
• Ability to leverage data to track, analyze and adjust work based on results 
• Strong attention to detail 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and collaborate as part of a team
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Proficient in Google analytics, Microsoft Office Suite and email marketing 
• Proficient in social media platforms

Compensation:

The salary range for this role is $110,000 - $120,000 along with an exceptional benefits package focusing on employee physical, financial and mental wellness.

Location:

This position is based in New York City, New York. While performing the duties of this role, you would be expected to be in the office at least three days per week.

Travel:

The position does require some local travel, as well as occasional travel to support events in and around the tri-state area.

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter expressing your intention to apply for the role, and a CV. After uploading your CV, please select the "upload attachment" option on the next screen to provide your cover letter. 

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Please, no phone calls. All inquiries will be held in confidence.

Please note that this role description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this role. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

Our Commitments

BCRF is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Disabled/Veterans Equal Opportunity Employer.

BCRF upholds an equal opportunity employment policy and employs personnel without regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. This policy applies to all applicants, employees, consultants, third-party workers.