Senior Director of Marketing and Communications

Position Title: Programs & Research Administrator

Reports to: Senior Director of Program & Research

THE RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE

The Rhode Island Public Health Institute (RIPHI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to reduce health disparities in Rhode Island and beyond. RIPHI oversees public health programs, and conducts research related to population health, and trains students and public health practitioners.

In recent years, RIPHI’s programs have attracted local and national media attention as well as local and national awards for public health innovation. RIPHI owns and operates Open Door Health, the state’s first and only LGBTQ+ community clinic: Open Door Health provides primary care, sexual health care, family planning services, and gender affirming care to Rhode Island’s diverse community. Open Door Health also offers "express STI screening," which allows patients to quickly access STI services. RIPHI also hosts a Ryan White HIV treatment and care program at Open Door Health as well as large HIV prevention programs.

In addition, RIPHI founded several innovative public health programs focused on enhancing food and nutrition security. RIPHI operates Food on the Move, one of the largest mobile produce programs in the country. RIPHI leads Nourish Rhode Island, a coalition advocating for SNAP incentives in grocery stores to promote healthy eating among SNAP recipients. SNAP incentives double the value of the dollar when people buy fresh produce. That campaign led to a statewide program for 140,000 SNAP recipients in Rhode Island; this program doubles the value of the dollar when SNAP recipients buy fresh produce.

In 2024, RIPHI and Open Door Health began a statewide program to integrate primary care with behavioral health services. RIPHI uses population health data in all its research, clinical and charitable service programs. RIPHI recently adopted a 5-year strategic plan that includes opening and growing both a new research center and a new communications center to support RIPHI’s work to advance population health. In the last year, RIPHI has secured over $15 million in grant funding and is looking forward to continuing growing our programs and research portfolio in alignment with RIPHI’s strategic plan.

During the last several years, RIPHI led several successful advocacy campaigns culminating in legislative victories, legislative appropriations, and statewide policy changes. These were related to food and nutrition, security, hunger alleviation, HIV policy, access to medicines, and fiscal. RIPHI plans to continue its public health advocacy work in the coming years.

RIPHI’s rapid and currently growing portfolio also includes programs related to food insecurity, nutrition and active living, hepatitis C virus (HCV), HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce HIV transmission, mental health, social determinants of health, geographically focused health interventions, and other efforts to reduce health disparities. To learn more about RIPHI and Open Door Health, visit https://www.riphi.org and www.odhpvd.org.

Position Summary:

The Senior Director of Marketing and Communications spearheads the development and execution of high-impact marketing, branding, and communications strategies that drive growth and enhance RIPHI’s market presence. This role blends strategic oversight with hands-on execution, utilizing advanced marketing technologies, data analytics, media engagement and industry insights to craft innovative campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences. Acting as a brand ambassador, the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications ensures cohesive messaging across internal teams, external stakeholders, and public platforms, positioning RIPHI as the premier public health organization in Rhode Island, with nationwide brand recognition.

Responsibilities:

· Prepare and manage all communications strategies and materials.

· Partner with the CEO and the Senior Philanthropy Director to craft compelling fundraising campaigns and capital campaign materials.

· Work with the CEO and the Senior Philanthropy Director, and Communications/marketing team on communications for fundraising team.

· Work collaboratively with the communications/marketing team to implement a communications and marketing strategy that aligns with RIPHI’s 5-year strategic plan.

· Work with the entire RIPHI Executive Team on all branding and communications initiatives.

· Create ambitious communications and marketing strategies to help generate new business and patients for Open Door Health.

· Partner with the CEO and the Senior Philanthropy Director to craft compelling fundraising campaigns and capital campaign materials.

· Position RIPHI for dramatic growth in the communications space, in accordance with new strategic plan.

· Collaborate with the executive team, communications team and program managers for day-to-day communications, internal and external.

· Create a media suite and RIPHI communications center in accordance with the strategic plan.

· Oversee and implement RIPHI’s 2024 rebranding effort, including developing new websites and communications plans.

· Manage media relations and develop contacts with media members, influencers, and community leaders.

· Manage all external vendors for website design and maintenance.

· Directs the creation of digital, video, audio and print content.

· Track engagement across various platforms and make data-driven communications decisions.

· Direct media strategy for community events.

· Create budget for communications workflow.

· Develop a strategy to elevate overall brand presence and each individual program; specifically, a 3-year plan to raise RIPHI and ODH brand awareness locally and nationally.

· Lead fundraising communications for new capital campaign for new building space.

· Organize speaking and media opportunities for RIPHI executive team.

· Lead communications fundraisers and an upcoming capital campaign.

· Provide briefings and talking points for RIPHI executive team for media and public events.

Requirements:

Education & Experience

● Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing or a related discipline, master’s degree is strongly preferred.

● Background in medicine, public health or related field.

● Private Sector experience is highly desirable.

● 10-15-plus years of communications, marketing or public relations or related experience.

● Experience managing digital content.

● Encourage innovative, out-of-the-box thinking and creative problem-solving to develop fresh approaches to communication challenges and brand positioning.

● Supervisory experience developing and building teams.

Knowledge & Skills

· Experience with communications and marketing for fundraising.

· Experience of working with public relations agencies and overseeing marketing and communications vendors.

· Strong leadership track record.

· Ability to manage rapid organizational growth.

· Experience with media relations and writing press releases.

· Experience building marketing and communications teams.

· Demonstrated knowledge and proficiency with communications technologies.

· Understanding of copywriting, graphic design, layout, and publishing.

· Working knowledge of content management systems, HTML coding, and digital graphics production.

· Familiarity with social media platforms and social media marketing.

· Experience with search engine marketing, Google Analytics, and Google AdWords.

· Impeccable copywriting and copy-editing abilities.

· Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills.

· Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro).

· Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).

· Self-starter, highly motivated and able to work independently.

· Extremely organized and detail-oriented.

· Goal oriented, ability to establish timelines to complete projects efficiently.

· Growth mindset, ability to work in a fast paced, continuously evolving workplace.

· Mission aligned, passionate and dedicated to the work and mission of RIPHI.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands; balance, stoop, kneel or crouch: and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. As RIPHI operates in a normal patient care environment there is possible exposure to infectious diseases. Hazards are minimized by adherence to established safety precautions.

Work Environment:

Rhode Island Public Health Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage diverse candidates to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, expression or preference, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, socio-economic status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please send a CV and letter of interest with salary requirements to: duffay.cuartas@riphi.org

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Experience:

• communications, marketing, or public relations: 10 years (Required)

Language:

• Spanish or Portuguese? (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Providence, RI 02907 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Providence, RI 02907: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Providence, RI 02907