Director, Public Relations & Communications

New York Stem Cell Foundation, Inc.; Farmington, Northern (CT, KY); Hybrid; USD 146,000 - 212,000; Full time

Job summary

The Jackson Laboratory seeks a Director of Public Relations & Communications to lead enterprise-wide PR, media relations, and research communications initiatives. This remote U.S.-based role requires coordinating with executive leadership, researchers, and external partners to amplify scientific impact and reputation.

East Coast preference and travel to campuses may apply. Responsibilities include developing compelling messaging, managing a high-performing team, and establishing analytics to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, or media relations.
• 6+ years leading strategic communications initiatives, preferably in biomedical research, healthcare, life sciences, higher education, or nonprofit organizations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute enterprise public relations, media relations, thought leadership, and research communications strategies aligned with the institution's mission and priorities.
• Serve as a trusted communications advisor to executive leadership and key stakeholders across the organization.
• Develop messaging, media campaigns, press materials, and thought leadership opportunities to elevate scientific impact and reputation.
• Build and maintain relationships with media, industry influencers, external partners, and key audiences.
• Identify and prepare leaders for media interviews, speaking opportunities, and public engagements.
• Lead a high-performing research communications team translating complex scientific discoveries into engaging content.
• Establish and manage communications analytics, reporting, and KPIs to measure effectiveness and inform strategy.
• Oversee crisis communications planning, preparedness, and response activities, serving as a spokesperson when needed.
• Manage external communications agencies and strategic partners.

Skills

Media relations

Executive advisory

Stakeholder management

Scientific storytelling

Project leadership

Communication analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications or related field

Job description

Shape the Narrative. Amplify Scientific Discovery. Advance Human Health. The Jackson Laboratory (JAX), a global nonprofit biomedical research institution, seeks an experienced and strategic Director, Public Relations & Communications to lead enterprise-wide public relations, media relations, thought leadership, and research communications initiatives. This leader will develop and execute integrated communications strategies that elevate JAX's visibility, strengthen its reputation, and position JAX and its researchers as trusted voices in biomedical research, genomics, and precision medicine. The ideal candidate is a skilled communicator, media relations expert, and strategic advisor who thrives in a fast-paced environment and excels at building relationships across scientific, executive, and external audiences.

Location & Travel

This is a remote U.S.-based position requiring periodic travel to JAX campuses and events. Preference will be given to candidates located on the East Coast.

Compensation

Salary Range: $146,306 - $212,141. Compensation is based on relevant experience, geographic location, and internal equity considerations. JAX offers a comprehensive benefits package supporting employee health, well-being, and professional growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute enterprise public relations, media relations, thought leadership, and research communications strategies aligned with JAX's mission and strategic priorities.
• Serve as a trusted communications advisor to executive leadership and key stakeholders across the organization.
• Develop compelling messaging, media campaigns, press materials, and thought leadership opportunities that elevate JAX's scientific impact and reputation.
• Build and maintain relationships with media, industry influencers, external partners, and other key audiences.
• Identify and prepare JAX leaders and researchers for media interviews, speaking opportunities, and public engagements.
• Lead a high-performing research communications team, translating complex scientific discoveries into engaging content for diverse audiences.
• Establish and manage communications analytics, reporting, and KPIs to measure effectiveness and inform strategy.
• Oversee crisis communications planning, preparedness, and response activities, serving as a spokesperson when needed.
• Manage external communications agencies and strategic partners.

Qualifications

• Required Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, or media relations.
• 6+ years leading strategic communications initiatives, preferably within biomedical research, healthcare, life sciences, higher education, or nonprofit organizations.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing communications and media relations strategies that drive measurable results.

Preferred Experience supporting scientific, healthcare, biomedical research, or life sciences organizations. Experience advising executive leaders and subject matter experts. International media relations experience.

Skills & Competencies

Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills. Strong media relations, stakeholder management, and executive advisory capabilities. Proven ability to translate complex scientific concepts into compelling stories. Strategic thinker with a hands-on, results-oriented approach. Experience managing multiple high-impact projects and priorities simultaneously. Strong analytical skills with experience measuring communications performance and impact.

Join JAX

Join JAX and help tell the stories behind discoveries that are transforming human health around the world.

About JAX

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health. Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visit www.jax.org.

EEO Statement

The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.

Bar Harbor

The Jackson Laboratory's 43-acre scenic Bar Harbor campus is nestled between the Gulf of Maine and the mountains of Acadia National Park. Some of the best hiking and biking in the world (over 50 square miles of mountains, lakes, views, and dramatic coastline) is accessible from our campus. We are one mile from downtown Bar Harbor, which offers a vibrant downtown district with a plethora of restaurants, shops, museums, and galleries.

Ellsworth

The Charles E. Hewett Center in Ellsworth, Maine, is a state-of-the-art facility that serves researchers world wide. The facility represents the culmination of nine decades of unmatched experience and leadership in breeding and caring for laboratory mice. Ellsworth, Maine, is one of Maine’s fastest growing cities. With a growth rate of nearly 20%, Ellsworth is a bustling year-round community and acts as a hub for surrounding towns. It is located nearby Acadia National Park and hosts numerous special events, concerts and festivals each year. Residents have access to fabulous shopping, recreation, museums, galleries, and dining at a variety of independent restaurants.

Farmington

JAX Genomic Medicine is transforming medicine by improving patient care, lowering costs, and increasing life span and health span. JAX Genomic Medicine’s research focuses on the complex genetic causes of disease and on the development of genomic solutions tailored to each person's unique genetic makeup. JAX Genomic Medicine sits on a 17-acre site on the campus of the University of Connecticut Health Center. The 183,500-square-foot facility opened in the fall of 2014. Now, it houses over 300 biomedical researchers, technicians, and support staff in state-of-the-art computing facilities and laboratories. In Connecticut, JAX resides in the scenic town of Farmington, in the state’s capitol region. The Hartford region, which offers some of the best public schools in the country, is made up of both bigger cities and smaller, charming historic New England towns. JAX Genomic Medicine is also geographically located within 2 hours of Boston and New York and is close to multiple transportation systems, including bus lines, highways, railroads and international airports.

Sacramento

The JAX Mice, Clinical and Research Services facility is located in Sacramento, the state capital of California. Sacramento is less than a two-hour drive from San Francisco, Napa Valley, and scenic Lake Tahoe, and a short flight to both Los Angeles and Orange County. Sacramento is the birthplace of the nation’s Farm to Fork movement, and offers excellent restaurants, gastro-pubs, wineries, theaters, and museums. Outdoor activities are plentiful: Boating, white water rafting, and riding the scenic bicycle trails are popular. Housing and other costs of living are more affordable in Sacramento and its surrounding suburbs than in most other neighboring areas in the North Bay, making Sacramento one of the hottest housing markets in the country year after year.

Augusta

JAX’s Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI) is located in Augusta, Maine, in the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care (HACCC), at Maine General Hospital. It began operations in 2016 with three overarching goals: to provide cancer genomic testing for Maine cancer patients; to develop and deliver physician education about clinical genomic cancer diagnostics; and to build a network in Maine of oncology practices conducting studies in genomic medicine.