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.

The Director, Communications & PR is a senior communications professional responsible for strengthening GMHC’s external profile through earned media, executive visibility, thought leadership, and strategic external communications. As GMHC expands its 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, the Director helps shape how external audiences understand and engage with GMHC’s evolving mission, services, and impact.

Reporting to the Vice President, Communications & Branding, the Director develops and executes earned media and external communications strategies that advance organizational priorities. This is a hands-on role requiring strong media relationships, advanced writing and editorial skills, sound judgment, and a current understanding of traditional and emerging media platforms. The Director serves as one of GMHC’s primary day-to-day media contacts, prepares executives and subject matter experts for public engagement, and identifies opportunities to position GMHC’s work, expertise, and community impact before relevant audiences.

• Develop and execute earned media, external communications, and thought leadership strategies in partnership with the Vice President, Communications & Branding.
• Translate GMHC’s organizational priorities, programs, advocacy efforts, and service expansions into clear and compelling external communications.
• Develop messaging frameworks and communications materials that support GMHC’s rebrand, evolving organizational narrative, and expanding service model.
• Support external positioning for major organizational initiatives, including program launches, service expansions, campaigns, events, and institutional milestones.
• Recommend communications approaches that strengthen GMHC’s credibility, visibility, and relevance among media, partners, donors, community members, and the broader public.

• Serve as one of GMHC’s primary day-to-day contacts for media inquiries, coordinating with the Vice President and senior leadership to determine the appropriate response and spokesperson.
• 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.
• Develop, pitch, and secure earned media opportunities across print, broadcast, digital publications, podcasts, You Tube, independent media, and other relevant platforms to advance GMHC’s mission, services, expertise, advocacy priorities, and organizational objectives.
• Draft and edit press releases, media advisories, pitches, statements, talking points, briefing documents, and other external communications materials.
• Coordinate media interviews and appearances, including scheduling, background preparation, and follow-up.
• Represent GMHC in external communications settings when authorized by the Vice President or senior leadership.

• Develop and execute thought leadership initiatives, in alignment with priorities established by the Vice President and senior leadership, that position GMHC leaders and subject matter experts as credible voices in HIV, public health, healthcare access, LGBTQ+ advocacy, community care, and related areas.
• Identify and recommend speaking engagements, panels, conferences, op-eds placements, podcast appearances, interviews, and other visibility opportunities.
• Research, draft, and edit op-eds, bylined articles, speeches, remarks, presentations, interview materials, and other executive communications that reflect GMHC’s voice, expertise, and organizational priorities.
• Prepare executives and subject matter experts for media interviews, public appearances, panels, and other external…