Head of Communications

Head Of Communications

We are a group of individuals passionate about genetic discovery. 23andMe Research Institute is a nonprofit medical research organization that enables people everywhere to access their genetic information, learn about themselves, and participate in the world's largest crowdsourced research initiative. The Institute aims to be the world's most significant contributor to scientific advancement, uniting people with the common goal of improving health and deepening our understanding of DNA — the code of life.

We are looking for a head of communications who can craft narrative as strategy, build trust across diverse audiences, and elevate a new nonprofit brand that's quietly been doing some of the most important work out there. This is not a maintenance role. It's a rebuild, a relaunch, and a reimagination.

As our head of comms, you will be the architect of our external voice and internal cohesion, responsible for shaping how the world sees us, hears us, and engages with us. From media relations to thought leadership, from crisis comms to content strategy, you'll lead a small, high-impact team and work cross-functionally to bring our mission to life in ways that resonate, inspire, and activate.

Own and evolve our brand narrative, clarifying our mission, values, and voice as we emerge into our next chapter through progressive pr channels, not just traditional.

Build and lead the communications strategy across all external channels to execute the pr strategy with the organization and the ceo/co-founder.

Lead key pr relationships with partners and collaborators.

Bridge the gaps on understanding the new organization between kit memberships, research, philanthropy and public understanding.

Build, manage and mentor a small team of communications professionals and pr agency partners.

Support internal communications to ensure alignment, morale, and clarity across our 200-person org.

Establish clear metrics to evaluate the success and impact of communications efforts.

A seasoned communications leader (15+ years experience), with deep relationships across key media platforms, ideally with experience across both the tech and nonprofit or research sectors.

A natural storyteller who can distill complexity into clarity, and ambiguity into action.

Deeply attuned to the audience, able to shift tone, channel, and content depending on who needs to hear what.

A builder, not a maintainer, you're excited by change and unafraid of rolling up your sleeves.

Experienced in government affairs, media strategy, executive comms, and crisis management.

Mission-driven and values-aligned, you care deeply about impact and integrity.