Position Overview

Are you a seasoned communications strategist with a track record of managing relationships with reporters, landing stories in top-tier media outlets, and shaping the conversation for the healthcare industry and health policy? alignco is seeking a Director to join our team.

alignco partners with foundations, non-profits, trade associations, and advocacy groups to elevate their brands, expand their influence, and develop strategies and campaigns that improve health and healthcare. Our team of specialists and changemakers have decades of experience defining, shaping, and elevating some of the most complicated and consequential issues of our day. Alison Betty and David Smith have created and directed award-winning campaigns for major brands and national organizations as well as candidates at the federal and state levels.

The Director will collaborate closely with the team to design and execute strategic communications and earned media strategies across a portfolio of advocacy campaigns, philanthropic organizations, and mission-driven initiatives. This role will serve as a primary advisor on media engagement, positioning, and storytelling—leading efforts to secure high-impact coverage that advances our client’s policy and advocacy priorities. The Director will support communications efforts such as innovations in digital health, access to affordable health coverage including Medicaid, healthcare pricing, and more.

The Director will join a team of hard-working go-getters with a passion to make people’s lives better, healthier, and happier. Our team comes from all over – each bringing our own unique experiences, qualities, and true selves to our work. We believe diverse people, thoughts, and lived experiences make our team and our work stronger in every way. And we strive to foster a culture of inclusion, compassion, and adventure in everything we do. Our work centers on advancing issues around equity, economic inclusion, and fairness. We remain focused on breaking down barriers and systems rooted in structural racism, and elevating people and ideas that can help catalyze change on the road to an equitable recovery and an anti-racist future.

Position Responsibilities

The Director will:

• Lead the development and execution of earned media strategies that position clients as trusted thought leaders and go-to resources for reporters covering healthcare innovation, reform, and equity.
• Build and manage strong relationships with top-tier national, trade, and regional reporters; identify high-value journalists and develop tailored engagement approaches.
• Create message frames and media positioning strategies to support the release of major reports, evaluation releases, and broader thought leadership campaigns.
• Craft compelling press materials, including press releases, op-eds, talking points, Q&A documents, and strategic content tied to both timely events and evergreen narratives.
• Provide strategic counsel and serve as a trusted media advisor to clients and senior leaders, including preparation and coaching for interviews, speaking engagements, social media content and major announcements.
• Oversee rapid response strategies to ensure clients are well-positioned in breaking news cycles.
• Partner with account teams to develop comprehensive communications campaigns that integrate earned media with digital, stakeholder, and policy strategies.
• Identify, track, and evaluate conferences relevant to client priorities to ensure visibility and positioning in key conversations.
• Research and recommend high-value speaking opportunities; manage speaker applications and submissions.
• Plan and support webinars, including agenda and content development, promotional strategies, RSVP tracking, and day-of execution.
• Mentor staff and help cultivate their media strategy and writing skills.
• Collaborate with Partners on business development efforts, including contributing to proposals and representing the firm in new business presentations.

Qualifications and Experience

• 5-7+ years of experience in communications, campaigns, or journalism, with significant expertise in earned media strategy.
• Proven success in developing and executing media relations strategies, with established relationships among national reporters, columnists, and editors (healthcare or policy experience strongly preferred).
• Track record of securing impactful earned media placements across top-tier national, trade, and digital outlets (healthcare or healthcare policy placements are a plus).
• Experience in collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing daily media clips, and translating coverage trends into actionable insights that inform client strategy
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, orally and in writing, with all levels of clients, media, and staff members.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple projects and deadlines, and maintain focus on big-picture objectives.
• Ability to take complex issues and quickly craft easily understood written material.
• General familiarity with modes of public opinion research, such as focus groups, surveys, etc., that inform communications strategies, message and creative content.
• Proficiency in effectively editing staff materials and helping develop others’ writing skills.
• Bachelor’s degree or comparable experience in a communications-related field
• Ability to craft clear, compelling narratives and translate complex policy and research into relatable stories that resonate with diverse audiences.
• Experience managing press events, embargoes, reporter briefings, and rapid response efforts.
• Strong understanding of the broader communications landscape, including how earned media integrates with digital, stakeholder, and policy engagement strategies.

Personal Attributes

• Strong curiosity and knowledge of the current political landscape and national dialogue – particularly in the healthcare sector.
• Low-ego, patient, and compassionate, with a desire to work collaboratively with junior and senior colleagues and clients.
• Enjoys working in a team environment that fosters staff growth.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• A strong sense of humor and fun.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this role is $90,000-$115,000. Salary is determined by a number of factors, including skill set and experience relative to the requirements of this role. In addition, alignco provides a substantial benefits package, including:

• comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance
• 401K with an annual employer contribution
• Up to 6 months parental leave, including 5 months paid
• 5 weeks annual paid time off
• paid sick time

This role is based in Washington, DC. alignco team members are expected to work from the DC office three days a week (currently Mondays – Wednesdays), and for occasional meetings or events, with the opportunity to work remotely on other days and during select periods during the summer months. Our hybrid work model is subject to change.

To Apply

Submit a cover letter and resume to careers [at] alignco.us. The cover letter should be concise, compelling, and outline why you are the right person for this position. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

alignco is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.