Communications Marketing Director

Since our founding in 1924, we've cut cardiovascular disease deaths in half, but there is still so much more to do. To overcome today’s biggest health challenges and accelerate this progress, we need passionate individuals like you. Join our movement, be part of the progress, and help ensure a healthier future for all. You matter, and so does the impact you can make with us.

The American Heart Association has an opening for a Communications Marketing Director in our Nashville Market! This position will focus on developing and implementing communications and marketing plans that promote the American Heart Association’s strategic priorities, events and cause initiatives throughout Nashville.

The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work-life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award-winning corporate university, as well as additional training and support, locally.

#TheAHALife is more than a company culture; it is our way of life. It embodies our commitment to work-life harmonization and is guided by our core values where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued at the American Heart Association by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and at heart.jobs.

• →Develops and implements local strategic communications plans that promote the American Heart Association's nationally driven priorities, local events, community impact, Science news and cause initiatives
• →Writes, distributes and pitches news releases and other supporting media materials to local traditional and non-traditional media
• →Secures media sponsorships for local events and priority initiatives, as appropriate.
• →Implements awareness campaigns around heart and stroke related topics and works collaboratively with other key market staff to develop an integrated approach to such campaigns.
• →Works with staff to ensure that national branding guidelines are followed
• →Develops and implements communications plans for sponsor funded activations.
• →Coordinates and implements communications plans in conjunction with strategic alliances
• →Identifies, secures and media trains local spokespersons.
• →Provides marketing and communications support for development and fundraising events and activations, as appropriate
• →Identifies human interest stories for media coverage, social media posts, internal and external communications channels and event integration
• →Tracks all media coverage via a media tracking system and manages a spokesperson database. Works with video production companies to produce videos for events, social media and other marketing communications resources.
• →Works with photographers to produce photography for events, social media and other marketing and communications resources

• Develops and implements media events, as appropriate.
• Works to place Public Service Announcements (PSA) locally.
• Works with Southeast Region’s VP of Communications and Marketing to manage local crises or sensitive issues.
• Works in collaboration with media advocacy staff to develop appropriate media advocacy strategies and implements strategies, as appropriate
• Works with executive director and team to manage local paid advertising projects
• Manages and implements other projects as identified by the executive director

In this role, you will report to the Executive Director.

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism or related field, or some college plus experience.
• Requires minimum three years of work experience in communications, social media, public relations and journalism or any equivalent combination of training and work experience.
• Experience applying the principles and practices of communications and marketing to the non-profit environment.
• Experience working as a team member with multiple internal and external constituencies at varying levels: staff, media, external corporations, and volunteers.
• Experience with crisis communications and sensitive issues.
• Experience implementing communications campaigns, pitching to media, planning media events, and writing news releases.
• Exceptional oral and written communications skills, including experience with speech writing, news writing for broadcast and print and general business writing.
• Working knowledge of news media operations, newsgathering, and technology.
• Must have at least intermediate knowledge and skills with Microsoft Office for word processing, email, PowerPoints, and spreadsheets.
• Ability to do daily local travel up to 20%; requires access to reliable transportation at all times on an immediate basis.

The American Heart Association’s 2028 Goal: Building on over 100 years of trusted leadership in cardiovascular and brain health, by 2028 the Association will drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy, and care for healthier people and communities. The greatest discoveries in health must reach everyone where they are.

In accordance with local and state laws where applicable, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities