Director, Media Relations and Communications

Director, Media Relations and Communications

Redwood City, CA (Hybrid)

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative was founded in 2015 by Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg to harness the power of technology to pursue some of society's most ambitious goals — from curing or preventing all disease to transforming how students learn.

At CZI, you'll join a deeply collaborative, mission-driven community where your work helps drive breakthroughs across our flagship nonprofit organizations, Biohub and Learning Commons. Whether enabling scientific breakthroughs via open science and AI-powered biology or strengthening the tools teachers and students rely on every day, your contributions help turn bold ideas into real-world impact.

Our teams operate at the intersection of innovation and scale, building the infrastructure, partnerships, and capabilities that allow scientists, educators, and innovators to tackle some of the most complex challenges of our time — and to do so with urgency, integrity, and optimism.

The Opportunity

As Director of Media Relations and Communications, you will lead Biohub's earned media, product launch communications, and external visibility strategy at the intersection of AI, biology, and public interest.

This is a senior, highly visible role for a communications leader who knows how influence is built today — across journalists, creators, podcasters, newsletter writers, commentators, social-first science and technology voices, and other trusted platforms. You will help bring Biohub's work to the audiences that matter most, including AI researchers, scientists, technologists, funders, policymakers, and people interested in how AI can accelerate progress toward curing and preventing disease.

You will report to the Vice President of Biohub Communications and lead media and launch communications strategy for Biohub, overseeing a team of 3–5 communications managers. You will bring strong editorial judgment, a sharp sense of what makes a story compelling, and the ability to shape and secure coverage across both established and emerging channels — from national media and trade press to podcasts, newsletters, YouTube, LinkedIn, Substack, and other influential platforms.

What You'll Do

• Develop and execute comprehensive earned media and influence strategies that reach Biohub's priority audiences, including AI researchers, scientists, technologists, science and tech media, and broader audiences interested in scientific progress and health.
• Build a clear point of view on where and how Biohub should show up across today's media ecosystem — including traditional outlets, podcasts, newsletters, creator-led platforms, social-first media, and other influential channels.
• Lead communications strategy and execution for Biohub product launches, including AI models, datasets, tools, platforms, and other technical or scientific products.
• Partner with product, research, marketing, social, editorial, executive communications, and design teams to develop launch narratives, messaging, media plans, briefing strategies, and campaign materials.
• Identify the right mix of opportunities for each story, from major announcements and product launches to executive visibility, thought leadership, evergreen storytelling, and issues management.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with reporters, editors, and influencers across traditional and digital platforms to secure earned media. Knowledge of and experience with science media is a plus but not required.
• Serve as the primary media contact, handling background conversations, on-the-record interviews and managing inquiries. Serve as a spokesperson when needed.
• Prepare senior leadership for media engagements, including providing media coaching, talking points, and briefing materials.
• Draft, edit, and approve product launch and campaign materials, such as talking points and Q&A and other media-related materials that may be used (e.g., press releases).
• Reputation and Crisis Management: Help manage communication during potential reputational or other high-stakes issues.
• Drive measurable increases in high-quality earned media coverage, share of voice, and narrative influence among key audiences. Track, analyze, and report on media coverage effectiveness and sentiment. Partner with Marketing and Operations on metrics to assess the impact of PR campaigns.

What You'll Bring

• 10+ years of experience and deep, established relationships across the modern media ecosystem, including top-tier technology, AI, science, business, and health media, as well as podcasts, newsletters, creators, commentators, and other influential platforms.
• A proven track record of securing high-impact earned coverage and shaping public narratives around complex technology, science, AI, biotech, or health topics.
• Demonstrated in-house experience at a fast-paced and rapidly advancing technology, AI, science or other related organization.
• Comfort with managing multiple fast-moving workstreams - from product launches to evergreen pitching.
• Experience leading communications for product launches, ideally involving AI/ML, developer tools, research platforms, biotech, scientific software, open-source tools, datasets, models, or technical products.
• Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, with strong instincts for what will resonate with AI and tech journalists and other media interested in progress toward curing or preventing disease; ability to translate complex technical concepts into compelling narratives for media, balancing accuracy and optimism and steering clear of hype.
• Demonstrated ability to remain steady, solutions-oriented, and patient in rapidly evolving and sometimes ambiguous environments.
• Proven experience leading teams, managing PR and other partner agencies, and working cross-functionally with product, marketing, and other cross functional teams.
• Track record of effectively advising and influencing senior executives and stakeholders on media strategy.
• Excitement and optimism for the opportunity that AI will drive in scientific research and discovery.

Compensation

The Redwood City, CA base pay range for a new hire in this role is $193,000- $265,100. New hires are typically hired into the lower portion of the range, enabling employee growth in the range over time. Actual placement in range is based on job-related skills and experience, as evaluated throughout the interview process.

This position may be eligible to participate in our discretionary annual performance bonus program. Bonus eligibility and targets are determined in accordance with our total rewards philosophy and may vary by role.

Better Together

As we grow, we're excited to strengthen in-person connections and cultivate a collaborative, team-oriented environment. This role is a hybrid position requiring you to be onsite for at least 60% of the working month, approximately 3 days a week, with specific in-office days determined by the team's manager. The exact schedule will be at the hiring manager's discretion and communicated during the interview process.

Benefits for the Whole You

We're thankful to have an incredible team behind our work. To honor their commitment, we offer a wide range of benefits to support the people who make all we do possible.

• Provides a generous employer match on employee 401(k) contributions to support planning for the future.
• Paid time off to volunteer at an organization of your choice.
• Funding for select family-forming benefits.
• Relocation support for employees who need assistance moving

If you're interested in a role but your previous experience doesn't perfectly align with each qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply as you may be the perfect fit for this or another role.

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