Synergy seeks a Principal, Health Communications Specialist to support a federal health client with a focus on mental health, substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery. The role includes strategic communications planning, implementation, and project management. The Principal, Health Communications Specialist will provide strategic guidance on public health behavior change campaign development, implementation and evaluation efforts; recommendations on target audience and implementation plans; and innovative approaches to outreach and dissemination, while ensuring that all products are delivered within budget, on schedule, and with the highest standards of quality.

 This role will work within a highly matrixed, creative, fast-paced environment with seasoned communications professionals and high-level government communications professionals. The ideal candidate will have a broad understanding of health and science communications and be an excellent relationship manager with the ability to respond quickly to client requests, which may include queries from several federal centers. 

Job Location Remote with ability to use an office and or meeting space when needed. 

Job Description

  As a Principal Communications Specialist – you will:

• Be the day-to-day client contact for health communications with oversight from the Program leadership and respond to internal and external client requests by triaging and tracking them from start to finish.
• Lead development of all project deliverables to ensure that all tasks remain on or ahead of schedule and meet or exceed client expectations for quality, clarity, and cohesiveness. Ensure that all tasks are completed within budget.
• Work collaboratively with the federal staff team, subject matter experts, Synergy teams, and vendors.
• Think creatively to develop print and digital products, outreach and dissemination strategies, and implementation and evaluation plans.
• Develop on-brand outreach messaging, PowerPoint presentations, talking points, FAQs, and other communications with a focus on mental health and substance abuse prevention for diverse audiences.
• Synthesize scientific information and data (e.g., from peer-reviewed journal articles or open data sources) and conduct literature reviews and other research activities.
• Manage project team staff to ensure that deadlines are met and deliverables meet or exceed the highest quality standards.
• Own project tasks, with oversight from the client and senior team members, and complete key deliverables. 

 Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred in Public Health, Public Affairs, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Advertising, or related majors.
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Public Affairs, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Advertising, or related majors. 
• 8 plus years of health communications and federal government experience.
• Experience creating and implementing communication plans and developing materials or resources for multiple audiences, including the media, researchers, scientists, partners, and the general public.
• Strong understanding of mental health, substance use disorders, prevention, and recovery and how to communicate about these topics is essential.
• Experience in supporting campaigns and programs that are designed to reach and engage underrepresented groups in science.
• Native proficiency in Spanish is a plus.
• Ability to maintain high-quality work while managing multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent verbal, written, organizational, time management skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to think creatively and provide innovative solutions to clients’ communications challenges/problems.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and team members.
• Experience in quality control and proofing of strategic communications documents. 
• Proof of vaccination for COVID-19, or proof of valid medical or religious exemption, will be required upon hire. 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and skills required of employees so classified.