As we celebrate our Centennial year, we invite you to join us in shaping the next century of impact. Be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives as we remain devoted to a future of health and hope for everyone, everywhere. At the American Heart Association, your contribution matters, and so does your career.

We are currently hiring for a Communications Director in our Grand Rapids office. The Communications Director will set and execute our communications strategy to promote Association health and development priorities in the Grand Rapids market including earned media, social media, paid media, PSAs, media advocacy, messaging and storytelling. This is a full-time position that offers a hybrid schedule. 

The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work-life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award-winning corporate university, as well as additional training and support, locally.

#TheAHALife is our company culture, our way of life, reflecting our diversity, equity & inclusion, our focus on work-life harmonization and our Guiding Values. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued™ at the American Heart Association by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and at heart.jobs.

As the Communications Director you will make an outstanding impact by working with development and health strategies colleagues to craft and deliver critical communications and marketing plans.

Responsibilities involve working with the Executive Director, Development Directors and Community Impact Directors to build and implement strategic marketing campaigns and deliverables to support major fundraising events; to develop communications and marketing relationships and strategies to deepen engagement with existing sponsors and high-level volunteers for major events. 

• Work closely with the development team to support local revenue goals and fundraising events by producing and securing appropriate materials and presentations.
• Plan and implement campaigns for event promotion, including brainstorming out-of-the-box ideas and activities, then driving them efficiently.
• Work with the regional communications team to plan and implement sponsored campaigns through paid social, online, and traditional media.
• Work with local team on script development for events, meetings, and media events.
• Supervise progress and submit performance return on investment reports on marketing and development activities.
• Control budgets and prioritize resources amongst projects.
• Work with local staff to ensure that branding guidelines are followed.
• Monitor trends to keep informed of developments in the fields of event fundraising, sponsorships, marketing, communications, and not-for-profit management. Use this information to help the markets creatively achieve their goals.
• Work with Vice President Marketing Communications and local staff to handle crises or sensitive issues.

Want to move your resume to the top so that you can become a “Relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives?” Here are some of the requirements:

• At least 3 years of experience in marketing, marketing communications, or public relations.
• Solid understanding of strategic public relations, marketing planning and implementation, including email and digital campaigns.
• Skill in writing and editing for a variety of audiences via numerous marketing platforms, including writing for the web and mobile.
• Ability to build sponsor return on investment materials.
• Print and video design capabilities, including script writing, shooting video, and editing and/or directing external agencies on such projects.
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience in engaging communities via social media with metrics to support strategies (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) as well as developing content (especially video) to help drive engagement.
• Ability to lift and/or move large objects (such as boxes) with the expectation that heavier items would be broken down into smaller components or requesting additional assistance may be required before lifting and/or moving.
• Ability to travel within the assigned territory including attending events.

Here are some of the preferred experience skills we are seeking:

• University or college degree.

• Nonprofit and/or agency experience.

• Existing media connections throughout the Michigan area.
• Experience with AP Style writing.
• Experience with web-based platforms like Canva and Animoto.

The American Heart Association invests in its people. Here are the main components of our total rewards package.  Visit Rewards & Benefits to see more details.

• Compensation – Our goal is to ensure you have a competitive base salary.  That’s why we regularly review the market value of jobs and make adjustments, as needed.
  
  
• Performance and Recognition – You are rewarded for achieving success by merit increases and incentive programs, based on the type of position. 
  
  
• Benefits – We offer a wide array of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, along with a robust retirement program that includes an employer match and automatic contribution.  As a mark of our commitment to employee well-being, we also offer an employee assistance program, employee wellness program and telemedicine, and medical consultation.
  
  
• Professional Development – You can join one of our many Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or be a mentor/mentee in our professional mentoring program.  HeartU is the Association’s national online university, with more than 100,000 resources designed to meet your needs and busy schedule.
  
  
• Work-Life Harmonization – The Association offers Paid Time Off (PTO) at a minimum of 16 days per year for new employees.  The number of days will increase based on seniority level.  You will also have a total of 12 paid holidays off each year, which includes several days off at the end of the year.
  
  
• Tuition Assistance - We support the career development of all employees.  This program provides financial assistance to employees who wish to further their education and career in relation to their current duties and responsibilities, or for potential future positions in the organization.

The American Heart Association’s 2028 Goal: Building on over 100 years of trusted leadership in cardiovascular and brain health, by 2028 the AHA will drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy, and care for healthier people and communities. The greatest discoveries in health must reach everyone where they are.

At American Heart Association | American Stroke Association, our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, age, language, sexual orientation, national origin and physical or cognitive abilities. We're committed to ensuring our workforce, workplace culture and mission have a shared impact across a diverse set of backgrounds.

This position not a match with your skills?  Click here to see other opportunities.

In accordance with local and state laws where applicable, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities