Senior Director, Advocacy Communications
Breakthrough T1D, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
As the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, Breakthrough T1D helps make everyday life with T1D better while driving toward cures. We invest in the most promising research to turn ideas into life‑changing therapies and devices. We work with government, regulatory officials, and insurance companies to address issues that impact the T1D community – breaking through barriers that limit access to care worldwide. We provide resources and guidance that makes it easier to live and thrive with T1D. This is more than a moment – we’re empowering a movement for the T1D community.
Our mission is to improve lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life‑changing breakthroughs to treat, prevent and ultimately cure T1D and its complications.
Always, we are guided by a single purpose: as we drive towards curing type 1 diabetes, we help make everyday life better for the people who face it.
This position is on a hybrid work schedule based out of Washington, DC.
Specific Responsibilities
Develop and implement a long‑term, multi‑channel advocacy communications strategy to influence Congress, federal agencies, and other policymakers.
Serve as the lead communications strategist for advocacy initiatives, providing clear direction, strong judgment, and creative leadership.
Create and deliver high‑impact written, verbal, and visual communications, including speeches, testimony, press materials, one‑pagers, web content, volunteer communications, and executive‑ready PowerPoint presentations.
Lead and manage cross‑functional projects in a matrixed organization, setting priorities, driving timelines, and proactively solving problems.
Collaborate closely with Government Affairs, Grassroots, Regulatory Affairs, Health Policy, and Marketing & Communications and Development teams to ensure message alignment and integrated campaigns.
Build and maintain strong relationships with DC‑based media and proactively identify opportunities to elevate Breakthrough T1D and its advocacy priorities.
Manage the Advocacy team’s social media presence, including drafting, scheduling, and amplifying content that keeps the public informed of advocacy activities and policy priorities in a timely manner.
Monitor policy, media, and health trends to anticipate emerging issues and position Breakthrough T1D as a trusted thought leader.
Support and empower staff and volunteers with messaging that strengthens advocacy engagement.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Global Advocacy Officer.
Education Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Political Science, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
Experience & Requirements
10–15 years of experience leading communications strategy, preferably in advocacy, government relations, public policy, or health‑focused organizations.
Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, including the ability to develop persuasive executive‑level PowerPoint materials.
Demonstrated ability to work independently as a self‑starter while excelling in a highly collaborative, multi‑functional environment.
Deep understanding of the U.S. political and policymaking landscape; Capitol Hill experience strongly preferred.
Health communications expertise required; experience with diabetes or T1D strongly preferred.
Strong media relations experience and DC media connections.
Proven ability to translate complex scientific, health, and policy concepts into clear, compelling messages.
Highly organized, detail‑oriented leader able to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, and digital communications platforms.
Travel less than 10%.
Targeted Salary Range: $160k - $180
Essential Functions The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and infrequently up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Benefits Breakthrough T1D offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 403(b) retirement plan, voluntary benefits, flexible spending and commuter benefit accounts, an employee assistance program (EAP), life and disability insurance, performance‑based bonuses, and generous paid time off. Benefits may vary by job level and full‑time or part‑time status.
Additional Information Requests for medical, religious, and other exemptions will be considered on an individual basis. Breakthrough T1D will comply with all federal, state, and local laws. Breakthrough T1D supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. Breakthrough T1D is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
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Our mission is to improve lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life‑changing breakthroughs to treat, prevent and ultimately cure T1D and its complications.
Always, we are guided by a single purpose: as we drive towards curing type 1 diabetes, we help make everyday life better for the people who face it.
This position is on a hybrid work schedule based out of Washington, DC.
Specific Responsibilities
Develop and implement a long‑term, multi‑channel advocacy communications strategy to influence Congress, federal agencies, and other policymakers.
Serve as the lead communications strategist for advocacy initiatives, providing clear direction, strong judgment, and creative leadership.
Create and deliver high‑impact written, verbal, and visual communications, including speeches, testimony, press materials, one‑pagers, web content, volunteer communications, and executive‑ready PowerPoint presentations.
Lead and manage cross‑functional projects in a matrixed organization, setting priorities, driving timelines, and proactively solving problems.
Collaborate closely with Government Affairs, Grassroots, Regulatory Affairs, Health Policy, and Marketing & Communications and Development teams to ensure message alignment and integrated campaigns.
Build and maintain strong relationships with DC‑based media and proactively identify opportunities to elevate Breakthrough T1D and its advocacy priorities.
Manage the Advocacy team’s social media presence, including drafting, scheduling, and amplifying content that keeps the public informed of advocacy activities and policy priorities in a timely manner.
Monitor policy, media, and health trends to anticipate emerging issues and position Breakthrough T1D as a trusted thought leader.
Support and empower staff and volunteers with messaging that strengthens advocacy engagement.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Global Advocacy Officer.
Education Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Political Science, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
Experience & Requirements
10–15 years of experience leading communications strategy, preferably in advocacy, government relations, public policy, or health‑focused organizations.
Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, including the ability to develop persuasive executive‑level PowerPoint materials.
Demonstrated ability to work independently as a self‑starter while excelling in a highly collaborative, multi‑functional environment.
Deep understanding of the U.S. political and policymaking landscape; Capitol Hill experience strongly preferred.
Health communications expertise required; experience with diabetes or T1D strongly preferred.
Strong media relations experience and DC media connections.
Proven ability to translate complex scientific, health, and policy concepts into clear, compelling messages.
Highly organized, detail‑oriented leader able to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, and digital communications platforms.
Travel less than 10%.
Targeted Salary Range: $160k - $180
Essential Functions The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and infrequently up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Benefits Breakthrough T1D offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 403(b) retirement plan, voluntary benefits, flexible spending and commuter benefit accounts, an employee assistance program (EAP), life and disability insurance, performance‑based bonuses, and generous paid time off. Benefits may vary by job level and full‑time or part‑time status.
Additional Information Requests for medical, religious, and other exemptions will be considered on an individual basis. Breakthrough T1D will comply with all federal, state, and local laws. Breakthrough T1D supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. Breakthrough T1D is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
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