Head, Executive Communications

American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB); Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage

Life and Disability Benefits

Vacation and Sick Leave

403(b) with employer contribution

Job summary

The American Society for Cell Biology is seeking a strategic, highly organized Head of Executive Communications to support the CEO and ASCB President with priority setting and messaging. This role will prepare briefing materials, reports, and presentations to extend executive capacity.

The position entails coordinating governance calendars, developing agendas, and exploring external opportunities while maintaining confidentiality and delivering high‑quality communications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 4–7 years of experience in executive communications.
• Strong writing, synthesis, and presentation development skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage confidential matters with discretion.
• Comfort working across governance, executive communications, and cross‑functional project work.
• Ability to think strategically while managing details and deadlines with precision.
• Strong judgment, initiative, and flexibility in a fast‑moving environment.

Responsibilities

• Manages calendars and develops briefing materials, talking points, memos, presentations, and other executive communications for the CEO and the ASCB President.
• Assists with management of the Council and select Committees, establishing governance calendars, developing agendas, and preparing/distributing documents and other related meeting materials.
• Coordinates special projects and operational initiatives assigned by the CEO, ensuring timely execution, delivery, and follow-through.
• Conducts research, analysis, and benchmarking on strategic topics, emerging trends, partnerships, and organizational opportunities.
• Supports cross-functional work by gathering information, tracking deliverables, and helping resolve issues that span multiple teams.
• Helps the CEO, and his designees, evaluate and advance new strategies, pilot ideas, and external opportunities.
• Represents the CEO’s office in meetings as appropriate, ensuring alignment, clarity, and next-step accountability.
• Maintains strong awareness of organizational priorities and helps connect executive decisions to operational execution.
• Drafts correspondences and prepares materials that reflect the CEO’s and the ASCB volunteer president’s voice, priorities, and strategic direction.

Skills

Executive communications

Research

Presentation development

Discretion

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Candidates must be located in DC, MD, VA, NY, NJ or DE.

Position Summary

American Society for Cell Biology is seeking a strategic, highly organized and skilled communicator to serve as Head, Executive Communications. This individual will be a trusted partner to the CEO and ASCB volunteer President, helping advance executive priorities and strengthen the effectiveness of the executive office.

The Head, Executive Communications will extend the capacity of the CEO and ASCB volunteer President by advancing priorities, preparing high-quality presentation materials and reports, surfacing and exploring new potential opportunities, and helping test new ideas that can strengthen the organization’s visibility, influence, and impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Manages calendars and develops briefing materials, talking points, memos, presentations, and other executive communications for the CEO and the ASCB President.
• Assists with management of the Council and select Committees, establishing governance calendars, developing agendas, and preparing/distributing documents and other related meeting materials in partnership with the CEO, President, and other organizational stakeholders.
• Coordinates special projects and operational initiatives assigned by the CEO, ensuring timely execution, delivery, and follow-through.
• Conducts research, analysis, and benchmarking on strategic topics, emerging trends, partnerships, and organizational opportunities.
• Supports cross-functional work by gathering information, tracking deliverables, and helping resolve issues that span multiple teams.
• Helps the CEO, and his designees, evaluate and advance new strategies, pilot ideas, and external opportunities.
• Represents the CEO’s office in meetings as appropriate, ensuring alignment, clarity, and next-step accountability.
• Maintains strong awareness of organizational priorities and helps connect executive decisions to operational execution.
• Drafts correspondences and prepares materials that reflect the CEO’s and the ASCB volunteer president’s voice, priorities, and strategic direction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 4–7 years of experience in executive communications, research, and providing support for enterprise-wide strategy and operations.
• Strong writing, synthesis, and presentation development skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage confidential matters with discretion and professionalism.
• Comfort working across governance, executive communications, and cross‑functional project work.
• Ability to think strategically while managing details and deadlines with precision.
• Strong judgment, initiative, and flexibility in a fast‑moving environment.

The Successful Candidate will be

• Curious and analytical, with strong research instincts.
• Highly organized without being narrowly administrative.
• Able to translate complex information into concise executive‑ready materials.
• Comfortable interacting with Council and committee members, staff leaders, and external stakeholders.
• Energized by problem‑solving, ambiguity, and emerging opportunities.

Compensation range for the position is $95,000 to $115,000 commensurate with experience.

Benefits include Medical, Dental and Vision coverage, Life and Disability Benefits, Vacation, Sick Leave, 403(b) with employer contribution.

ASCB is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming workplace. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.