FLSA Status: Exempt (U.S. only; not  applicable for people outside the U.S.) 

FTE Status: 1 FTE

Reports To: Chief Communications Officer 

Supervises: (2) Communications Staff

Location: 100% remote capable, 5  hours of overlap with EST required 

Posting Date: December 3 , 2025

Closing Date: December 16, 2025

Salary Range: US-Based Candidates: $84,300-$97,900

Candidates Outside of the US: will vary depending on the candidate's country of residence

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW:

Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) seeks to transform health care worldwide so that it reduces its environmental footprint and becomes a community anchor for sustainability and leader in the global movement for environmental health and justice. We have a unique and dynamic workplace with more than 80 staff members in the U.S. and abroad. We believe health care, as the only sector with healing as its mission, has an opportunity – and obligation – to use its ethical, economic, and political influence to create an ecologically sustainable, equitable, and healthy world. Health Care Without Harm works to achieve its mission in collaboration with Practice Greenhealth, the leading sustainable health care organization, delivering environmental solutions to more than 1,700 hospitals and health systems in the United States and Canada. 

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Associate Director of External Affairs will lead Health Care Without Harm’s global external affairs strategy, strengthening the organization’s visibility, credibility, and influence on health and climate issues. This leadership role reports to the Chief Communications Officer and manages the External Affairs team.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

The Associate Director of External Affairs will build and sustain relationships with journalists, donors, coalitions, and decision-makers, ensuring that Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) speaks with a unified and compelling voice across regions. This position is responsible for communications, media relations, external and fundraising partnerships, and high-level advocacy on global and US policy initiatives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Strategic Leadership

• Lead and manage the External Affairs team, providing vision, strategy, and day-to-day oversight.
• Develop and execute an integrated global external affairs strategy that advances HCWH’s mission and strengthens its influence.
• Serve as a senior advisor to the Chief Communications Officer and act as deputy when needed.
• Manage the External Affairs Manager and offer mentorship and strategic guidance to staff across the organization.
• Reputation management: Strengthen HCWH’s public image, ensuring that external perceptions align with organizational goals and values.

Media, Communications and Donor Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with global health correspondents and U.S.-based climate and health journalists, leveraging a robust network across major outlets.
• Write, edit, and distribute press releases; pitch stories, op-eds, and interviews to top-tier global and U.S. media.
• Oversee HCWH’s corporate website, digital communications strategy, and organizational messaging center.
• Lead donor communications in partnership with the development team, including writing donor updates, impact reports, case statements, grant narratives, and stewardship materials.
• Develop and refine pitch decks, presentations, and other high-impact communication tools for donors, partners, and strategic initiatives.
• Provide executive communications support, including speeches, memos, remarks, talking points, and ghostwriting for senior leadership.
• Oversee HCWH’s brand and online presence, ensuring cohesive messaging and strong engagement across social media, newsletters, and digital channels.

Stakeholder and Advocacy Engagement

• Lead external communications and advocacy on priority policy areas, including COP30 and other UN climate negotiations, the Global Plastics Treaty, and the Inflation Reduction Act and other key global and US climate/health legislation.
• Represent HCWH in external coalitions, alliances, and networks to advance climate and health advocacy.
• Coordinate organizational speaking engagements: develop core messages, identify and prepare spokespeople, and pitch HCWH experts for high-level panels, conferences, and events.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with key external stakeholders – including government agencies, industry partners, community organizations, donors/funders, and the public. Support advocacy by monitoring policy developments, aligning messaging, and coordinating with program teams to advance the organization’s priorities.

Capacity Building & Risk Management

• Develop training and capacity-building initiatives to support HCWH staff as spokespeople and thought leaders.
• Provide strategic guidance on risk management and crisis communications.
• Ensure timely and effective organizational response to reputational risks and external crises.

Organizational Communications Support: Support the People and Culture team to develop internal communication strategies to keep employees informed, engaged, and aligned with organizational priorities and initiatives, including a new global staff intranet.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum Education: BA or BS. Combined experience / education as substitute for minimum education
• Minimum Field of Expertise: Communications, Marketing
• Preferred Education: BA or BS in communications and / or marketing preferred
• Preferred Experience: 7 years of communications and / or marketing in a health advocacy, public health, community and / or membership organization; communications experience amplifying voices of impacted individuals
• Preferred Field of Expertise: Preferred experience with an INGO or advocacy organization; global health experience a plus. 

To Apply or Inquire

Health Care Without Harm and Practice Greenhealth are committed to cultivating and sustaining culturally and ethnically diverse organizations and to the principles that promote inclusive practices. We believe systems can only be transformed when a diversity of voices, perspectives, and lived experiences are a part of the movement for change. We are dedicated to building a diverse staff with expertise and interest in addressing systemic racism within our organization and to serve the mission of the organizations in respectful ways. Health Care Without Harm/Practice Greenhealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To apply, upload the following required documents via this link. 

1. Resume.
2. Cover Letter.
3. Optional: Link to your portfolio or any relevant work samples. 

Questions can be addressed to jobs@hcwh.org. Only competitive candidates will be invited to participate further in the recruitment process. Closing date to apply is December 16, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.