Position Summary

The Director of Strategic Communications & Public Affairs will establish and lead AHI’s first dedicated communications function, bringing a strong newsroom mindset and strategic public relations discipline to the role. This individual will collaborate with the COO to develop and execute an integrated communications strategy that advances AHI’s mission, supports its public-policy priorities, strengthens its reputation, and clearly communicates the value of animal health innovation to policymakers, regulators, industry stakeholders, the media, and the public.

Serving as a strategic adviser to the President and CEO, COO, senior staff, and Board leadership, the Director will translate complex scientific, regulatory, legislative, technical, and industry issues into clear, credible, and compelling communications. The position will initially operate as a hands-on leader, balancing strategic planning with content creation, media engagement, executive thought leadership, and storytelling while building the systems, relationships, and resources needed for a growing communications function.

Key Responsibilities

External Communications Strategy and Function Development

• Create AHI’s first comprehensive communications strategy, including priorities, audiences, messages, channels, performance measures, and an annual editorial calendar.

• Assess AHI’s existing communications platforms, processes, vendors, and materials and recommend improvements.

• Establish communications policies, approval processes, templates, media protocols, and crisis-response procedures.

• Develop the longer-term structure, budget, technology, and staffing plan for the communications function.

Digital and Member Communications

• Oversee AHI’s website, social media, newsletters, email communications, and other digital channels.

• Develop an integrated content strategy that strengthens engagement and ensures consistent messaging across platforms.

• Work with staff and member companies to identify stories, data, experts, and examples that demonstrate the industry’s value and impact.

• Create communications materials that AHI members can adapt and amplify through their own channels.

Media Relations and Reputation Management

• Develop and maintain relationships with national, trade, policy, scientific, and business media, with a focus on securing high-quality coverage that elevates AHI’s advocacy, innovation, leadership voices, and member priorities.

• Serve as a primary media contact and prepare executives and subject-matter experts for interviews.

• Proactively identify media opportunities and develop press releases, statements, pitches, background materials, and rapid-response messaging.

• Monitor emerging issues and news developments affecting AHI and its members.

• Lead issues and crisis communications planning and response.

Public Affairs and Policy Communications

• Partner closely with AHI’s government affairs, regulatory, scientific, and policy teams to support legislative, regulatory, and advocacy priorities.

• Translate complex animal health, scientific, regulatory, technical, and public-policy topics into accessible, accurate, and persuasive communications for reporters, policymakers, members, and broader audiences.

• Develop messaging, talking points, policy narratives, briefing materials, fact sheets, presentations, and stakeholder toolkits.

• Ensure communications activities are coordinated with AHI’s broader government affairs and stakeholder engagement strategies.

Executive and Thought-Leadership Communications

• Advise the President and CEO, COO, and other senior leaders on communications strategy, public positioning, and reputational matters.

• Draft speeches, presentations, opinion pieces, executive messages, testimony, talking points, media materials, and other leadership communications that connect substance, storytelling, and audience relevance.

• Identify opportunities to position AHI and its leaders as authoritative voices on animal health, public health, innovation, sustainability, food security, and related issues.

• Provide communications support for Board meetings and major organizational initiatives.

Measurement and Reporting

• Establish meaningful communications goals, benchmarks, and key performance indicators.

• Measure media quality, message penetration, digital engagement, stakeholder reach, executive visibility, and other outcomes.

• Provide regular reporting and recommendations to senior leadership and the Board.

• Use performance data and audience insights to refine AHI’s communications strategy.

• Work with the COO to stand up AHI’s first Communications Section and Steering Committee to support AHI members, senior leadership, and the Board of Directors with clear priorities, reporting structures, and ongoing engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, public policy, English, or a related field.

• At least 10-15years of progressively responsible communications experience, preferably in a trade association, regulated industry, scientific organization, public-policy environment, or mission-driven organization.

• Demonstrated experience leading corporate, public affairs, policy, or association communications.

• Exceptional ability to translate scientific, technical, legislative, regulatory, and industry information into clear, accurate, relevant, and compelling messages for varied audiences.

• Significant experience advising executives and developing executive communications.

• Strong media-relations experience, including relationships with national, policy, trade, scientific, or business reporters and a demonstrated ability to secure meaningful coverage.

• Background in journalism, public relations, corporate communications, or executive thought leadership strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated issues management and crisis-communications capabilities.

• Outstanding writing, editing, presentation, and interpersonal skills.

• Experience managing digital content, vendors, communications platforms, and budgets.

• Ability to work both strategically and hands-on in a newly established function.

• Sound judgment and the ability to operate effectively in a complex, highly regulated, member-driven environment.