Job Brief
Senior Writer, Executive & Leadership Communications
Vital Strategies is a global public health organization. Our programs strengthen public health systems and address the world’s leading causes of illness, injury, and death. We currently work in more than 80 countries, supporting data-driven decision-making in government, advancing evidence-based public health policies, and mounting strategic communication campaigns. Vital Strategies’ priorities are driven by the greatest potential to improve and save lives. They include noncommunicable disease prevention, tobacco control, road safety, food policy, environmental health, and data for health. Our programs are concentrated in low- and middle-income countries and cities in Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific. Please visit our website at www.vitalstrategies.org to find out more about our work.
We believe our programs are strengthened when they are developed and supported by people with diverse life experiences whose understanding of social and cultural issues can help make our work and workforce more inclusive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or creed, gender, national origin, ancestry, actual or perceived age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, marital status, sexual orientation or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws. As such, our commitment is to promote equal employment opportunities (EEO) for those seeking employment.
Job Purpose:
Vital Strategies is seeking a senior communications professional to shape and amplify leadership voice at a global public-health organization working at the intersection of policy, data, and real-world impact. This role transforms complex ideas into clear, persuasive narratives that influence decision-makers, align teams, and build trust with key audiences.
The Senior Writer will play a central role in shaping and amplifying the voice of the CEO - bringing a strong point of view, a flair for storytelling, and the ability to distill technical public-health concepts into simple, clear, and relatable language without losing rigor or nuance. The role spans a wide range of writing, from speeches, op-eds, and talking points to executive reports, donor and partner materials, internal messages to staff, newsletter copy, and other leadership communications across moments of visibility, change, and growth.
The Senior Writer is an exceptional writer with strong judgment and synthesis skills, who can quickly get to the heart of an issue and express it with clarity and purpose. They’re comfortable working with senior leaders, know how to adapt tone for different audiences, and can move easily between big-picture narrative and precise, polished execution. Above all, they enjoy making complex ideas accessible and shaping communications that build trust, alignment, and impact.
This is a full-time, New York City-based role, where candidates are expected to adhere to a hybrid work schedule (at least 2-days per week in office). Vital Strategies offers highly competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits. The salary range for this position is $120,000 to $130,000 USD. The candidate must have authorization to work legally in the US at the time of hire.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Executive Communications & Thought Leadership -
- Write and shape clear, confident remarks, talking points, speeches, and scripts that reflect the CEO’s voice and priorities.
- Develop op-eds, bylines, essays, and other thought-leadership pieces that sharpen leadership perspectives and position the organization as a trusted voice on public health, systems change, and innovation.
- Create concise, decision-ready briefings for senior-level meetings, convenings, media moments, and donor engagements—distilling what matters most and why.
- Help manage an executive communications calendar that connects leadership priorities with the right moments, audiences, and platforms.
- Ensure leadership communications are grounded in a clear, consistent narrative—bringing message discipline and coherence across speeches, writing, and internal and external appearances.
Internal Communications -
- Write and support clear, timely communications from the CEO and senior leadership—including all-staff messages, organizational updates, announcements, and strategy-related communications.
- Develop engaging content for internal channels such as newsletters, leadership updates, intranet posts, and enterprise-wide communications that staff actually read and understand.
- Write and review written content for all-team meetings, town halls, and internal briefings—ensuring messages are clear, focused, and land the way they’re intended.
- Support the preparation of board materials and other leadership communications that require strong narrative flow, clarity, and sound judgment.
- Work closely with HR, Global Operations, Partnerships & Development, and program teams to keep staff-facing communications aligned, accurate, and coordinated.
- Strengthen internal storytelling by highlighting program wins, staff voices, and key milestones—reinforcing culture, strategy, and mission across the organization.
Organizational Narrative & Impact Communications -
- Help shape and maintain the organization’s core narrative, contributing to messaging frameworks and content for priority initiatives.
- Develop case studies, program spotlights, success stories, and impact narratives that clearly show what we do and why it matters.
- Play a key role in the Annual Report—shaping the story, drafting core content, and working with teams to ensure clarity and cohesion.
- Translate complex technical and programmatic work into accessible, compelling stories across multiple channels that demonstrate impact and reinforce mission.
- Develop clear, persuasive narratives and materials for donors and partners that articulate value, impact, and urgency.
Qualifications:
Education and Degree -
- Minimum bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, and/or PR.
Skills And Abilities -
- Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to adapt tone and voice across formats, audiences, and levels of visibility
- Strong organizational and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple fast-moving communications needs and deadlines
- High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and clarity
- High level of discretion, judgment, and professionalism when handling sensitive leadership and organizational communications.
- Collaborative working style with experience partnering across functions (e.g., HR, Programs, Development, Operations, and Partnerships); as well as ability to comfortably work with technical and scientific experts
- Ability to navigate ambiguity and fast-evolving priorities with sound judgment and diplomacy.
- Innovative thinker, with a track record for translating strategic thinking into action plans and output
- Ability to work across several different time zones
- Appreciation of and sensitivity to diverse populations and cultures
Experience:
Required -
- 7–10+ years experience in executive and strategic communications, speechwriting, journalism, preferably in public health, global health, nonprofit or mission driven organizations.
- Proven experience synthesizing complex, technical, or data-driven work into crisp narrative for high-level audiences.
- Experience developing thought leadership content (op-eds, essays, bylines, reports) that positions leaders and organizations as credible, trusted voices.
- Strong experience producing internal communications (all-staff messages, town halls, leadership updates, board materials) in moments of growth, change, or organizational evolution.
- Experience supporting C-suite leaders, foundation executives, global health institutions, or government officials strongly preferred.
- Experience contributing to annual reports, impact reports, or organizational narrative frameworks in mission-driven organizations
Preferred -
- Strong understanding of media, policy, philanthropy, and/or public health preferred.
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:
- 15% global and domestic travel will be required
