Director, Communications & PR

GMHC will consider candidates at both the Director and Managing Director level for this role. Title and compensation will be determined based on experience.

About This Role

We need a communications leader who understands that the media landscape is fundamentally different than it was five years ago. Legacy placements still matter, but they no longer reach the audiences they once did. Podcasts, newsletters, independent outlets, and creators with real credibility in specific communities now carry the weight. We want someone who already knows how to work with them and thinks strategically about where people actually are.

GMHC is the world's first HIV/AIDS service organization. We're expanding our service model to include primary care, dental care, mental health services, and comprehensive programming for LGBTQ+ communities, long-term survivors, women, trans youth, and other communities affected by HIV and health inequities. Many New Yorkers still know us only for the work we did in the 1980s. Changing that—genuinely shifting how people see us—is the central challenge of this job.

This is a hands-on role. You'll develop and execute media and communications strategies. You'll pitch stories, build reporter relationships, prepare executives for interviews, and identify opportunities to position GMHC's work and expertise before the right audiences. You'll need strong media instincts, excellent writing skills, sound judgment, and a real understanding of journalism and digital media in 2026.

What Success Looks Like

The person who does well here is proactive. You bring ideas we haven't had. You dig stories out of the organization that nobody flagged. You build relationships with the people shaping conversations about health, HIV, and LGBTQ+ life right now. You're strategic but also willing to roll up your sleeves and execute.

You understand that communications doesn't happen in isolation. You work closely with your peers—our Creative Director and Digital & Social Manager—to think through strategy together. You partner with program teams to understand their work deeply enough to translate it into compelling external narratives. You respect that people on the program side have legitimate concerns about how we represent their work and their clients. Internal relationships matter as much as external coverage.

You're genuinely committed to GMHC's mission and communities. You're not using this as a stepping stone. You want to build something sustainable, deepen relationships over time, and stay.

Essential Responsibilities

Communications Strategy & Organizational Positioning

You'll develop and execute earned media, external communications, and thought leadership strategies in partnership with the Vice President, Communications & Branding. You'll translate GMHC's organizational priorities, programs, advocacy efforts, and service expansions into clear and compelling external communications. You'll develop messaging frameworks that support our rebrand and evolving organizational narrative. You'll recommend communications approaches that strengthen our credibility, visibility, and relevance among media, partners, donors, community members, and the broader public.

Media Relations & Earned Media

You'll serve as one of GMHC's primary day-to-day contacts for media inquiries, coordinating with leadership to determine appropriate responses and spokespeople. You'll build and maintain productive relationships with journalists, editors, producers, podcast hosts, digital creators, and other media professionals across health, HIV, LGBTQ+, community, nonprofit, and mainstream outlets. You'll develop, pitch, and secure earned media opportunities across print, broadcast, digital publications, podcasts, YouTube, independent media, and other platforms. You'll draft press releases, pitches, statements, talking points, and other materials. You'll coordinate media interviews and prepare people for them.

Thought Leadership & Executive Visibility

You'll develop and execute thought leadership initiatives that position GMHC leaders and subject matter experts as credible voices. You'll identify speaking engagements, panels, conferences, op-ed placements, podcast appearances, and other visibility opportunities. You'll research, draft, and edit op-eds, bylined articles, speeches, and other executive communications. You'll prepare executives for media interviews and public appearances.

Issues Management & Rapid Response

You'll monitor emerging news, public conversations, and policy developments. You'll assess their communications implications and flag significant risks or opportunities to leadership. You'll coordinate fact-gathering and support rapid-response communications by developing draft statements, talking points, and recommended approaches. You'll execute approved responses for sensitive or high-profile inquiries accurately and on tight timelines.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

You'll partner closely with Creative & Brand to ensure external communications support our visual identity and rebrand. You'll collaborate with Digital & Social to amplify coverage and align messaging across owned channels. You'll work with Development on earned media that supports fundraising and donor engagement. You'll partner with Programs, Community Relations, and subject matter experts to identify stories, verify information, and translate complex content into accessible public communications. You'll ensure all communications involving clients, program participants, or sensitive content follow consent, confidentiality, and approval requirements. You'll use inclusive, stigma-free, culturally responsive storytelling that centers dignity and lived experience.

Media Landscape & Strategy

You'll stay current on changes in journalism, digital media, podcasts, video platforms, and audience behavior. You'll identify and recommend emerging outlets, platforms, and opportunities based on where our key audiences are. You'll test and refine strategies and recommend improvements based on results.

What We're Looking For

Required Experience

Seven or more years of progressively responsible work in communications, public relations, media relations, journalism, or a related field.

Demonstrated success securing meaningful earned media coverage across traditional and emerging platforms. We can verify this—tell us about specific placements and the strategy behind them.

Strong knowledge of the current media landscape. You understand how journalism is changing. You know how podcasts, newsletters, and independent media work. You've built relationships with people in these spaces.

Advanced writing, editing, and message-development skills. You can translate complex health, policy, and programmatic information into clear, accessible communications that land with real audiences.

Experience preparing executives or subject matter experts for interviews and external appearances. You know how to brief people, anticipate questions, and help them think through what they want to say.

Strong editorial judgment and discretion. You can identify communications opportunities, spot reputational risks, and handle sensitive or time-critical issues with professionalism.

Ability to independently manage multiple projects, deadlines, and urgent requests while knowing when to seek review and guidance.

Preferred Experience

Experience developing communications for nonprofit, healthcare, public health, HIV services, LGBTQ+ advocacy, or social justice initiatives. We want someone who understands the context we work in.

Deep familiarity with LGBTQ+ communities and/or communities affected by HIV, health inequities, or poverty. This can come from lived experience, prior work, or genuine engagement with these communities. You should understand the nuance and the stakes.

Prior experience in service-provider or healthcare settings, not just nonprofit communications generally. The way you talk about work, relationships, and clients matters to us.

Established relationships with journalists, editors, producers, podcast hosts, or digital creators relevant to our work.

Experience supporting an organizational rebrand, service expansion, or significant change in positioning.

Experience with crisis communications, rapid response, or reputation management.

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, English, public health, or a related field is preferred.

Application Instructions

A cover letter is required. In your cover letter, tell us one story you would pitch about GMHC. Specify where you would pitch it and why. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Salary

$75,000–$110,000 per year (depending on experience and qualifications)

About GMHC

GMHC is the world's first HIV/AIDS service organization. We've been at the center of the HIV response for over 40 years. We serve primarily people of color, long-term survivors, LGBTQ+ communities, and people affected by health inequities. We provide comprehensive services including HIV prevention and care, housing, workforce development, mental health and substance use services, legal services, nutrition, and wellness programming. In 2027, we're opening a primary care and dental clinic as part of our expanded commitment to whole-person care.