Associate Director of Marketing & Communications

Benefits:

• 100% Company-Paid Health Benefits for Employees and Dependents
• 100% Company-Paid Vision Benefits for Employees and Dependents
• 100% Company-Paid Dental Benefits for Employees and Dependents
• Life Insurance
• 403b Pre-Tax Savings Plan
• Funding for Professional Development & Continued Education
• Company Funded SEP IRA Accounts (6% Salary)
• Paid time off

Job Title: Associate Director of Marketing & Communications

Employer: United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation

Reports To: Director of Marketing & Communications

Location: Remote

Job Type: Full Time

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

Our Mission

Promote research and education for the diagnosis, treatment, and cure of mitochondrial disorders and to provide support to affected individuals and families.

For more than 25 years, UMDF has built a network of top clinicians, hospitals, and researchers dedicated to fighting mitochondrial disease. We are driven by a nationwide community of ambassadors solely focused on supporting patients and families affected by mitochondrial disease. Together, we are committed and energized to make a difference by funding the best science no matter where it is found in the world, and providing critical programs and services to the patient families we serve.

To learn more, please visit: www.umdf.org

PURPOSE

The Associate Director of Marketing & Communications plays a key leadership role in shaping and executing how UMDF shares its mission with the world. This position combines strategic oversight with hands-on delivery, guiding communications strategy while actively writing, pitching, posting, and producing content every day.

The ideal candidate brings both vision and versatility: a strong communicator who can plan and measure campaigns, mentor staff, and personally execute social media, PR, and storytelling initiatives. This is not a behind-the-desk role; it is for someone who thrives on both strategy and doing, helping UMDF stay visible, credible, and deeply connected to the rare disease community.

Primary Responsibilities

Marketing Oversight & Planning

• Partner with the Director of Marketing & Communications to support the development and execution of an annual marketing and communications plan that aligns with UMDF’s strategic plan and annual key results.
• Lead with a hands-on approach, directly producing and overseeing content while shaping overall direction.
• Set measurable goals for communications effectiveness, including media reach, social engagement, and campaign impact.
• Analyze communication results and turn insights into clear, actionable improvements.
• Serve as a bridge between marketing, development, and program teams to ensure unified, mission-aligned messaging.
• Supervise part-time marketing staff and intern(s).

Public Relations & Brand Visibility

• Develop and execute proactive PR strategies to amplify UMDF’s mission and thought leadership.
• Build and maintain relationships with journalists, media outlets, and rare disease partners to increase positive media coverage.
• Draft press releases, talking points, and media kits to support major announcements, campaigns, and events.
• Provide strategic counsel on external communications to UMDF leadership.

Social Media & Community Engagement

• Oversee UMDF’s social media influencer program to grow UMDF’s reach, elevate authentic patient/caregiver stories, and foster online community.
• Manage UMDF’s social media accounts, ensuring consistent engagement, growth, and alignment with brand voice, including monitoring and responding during evenings/weekends as needed.
• Lead the editorial calendar and weekly editorial call with cross-department reps to set communications priorities and unify UMDF’s voice.

Events & Campaigns

• Serve as staff lead for program development and production of UMDF’s annual conference large sessions and banquet.
• Partner closely with Development to create marketing plans for donor campaigns, accelerators, stewardship pieces, and annual events like Energy for Life.
• Produce branded awareness items (pins, stickers, shirts, etc.) to support campaign and event visibility.

Cross-Team Collaboration & Support

• Act as a communications liaison to Development, supporting digital fundraising campaigns (Giving Tuesday, Valentine’s, etc.) and annual giving refreshes.
• Provide editorial review of content across UMDF departments to ensure accuracy, clarity, and brand consistency.
• Prepare presentations and slides for external scientific conferences and community engagement events (MDA, SIMD, etc.).
• Serve as a resource for institutional knowledge and quick-turnaround content requests.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or related field.

Experience:

• 5 - 8 years of experience in communications, PR, or digital media, ideally in nonprofit or health-related fields.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Strong balance of strategic thinking and hands-on execution, able to both plan and produce.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills across digital, social, and print platforms.
• Proven experience managing media relations and developing earned media placements.
• Established relationships with healthcare journalists or experience pitching health-related stories is a plus.
• Skilled at creating and analyzing communication metrics to guide strategy.
• Proficiency in social media tools, analytics, and light design software.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Backgrounds in science or health communication are strongly welcomed.

This is a remote position.