Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) seeks an Associate Director of External Affairs: Apply by 16 December 2025
Health Care Without Harm (HCWH)
Fully Remote | Full-Time | Application Deadline: December 16, 2025
Salary (U.S.-based): $84,300–$97,900 | Competitive global compensation for non-U.S. candidates
Health Care Without Harm (HCWH)—the global leader in advancing health sector climate action, environmental sustainability, and health equity—is inviting applications for the position of Associate Director of External Affairs.
This is a unique opportunity for a strategic, mission-driven communications professional to shape global narratives at the intersection of climate, health, and justice while contributing to one of the world’s most influential movements for sustainable health care.
HCWH works to transform the health sector so it reduces its environmental footprint, protects the well-being of patients and communities, and leads efforts toward an equitable and ecologically sustainable future.
With more than 80 staff in the U.S. and abroad, and in close collaboration with Practice Greenhealth, HCWH serves a global network of health systems, researchers, advocates, and policymakers committed to urgent climate-health action.
About the Role
Reporting to the Chief Communications Officer, the Associate Director of External Affairs will lead HCWH’s global external affairs strategy, elevating the organization’s visibility, credibility, and influence. This senior leadership role manages a team of communications staff and serves as a strategic advisor to senior leadership across a portfolio that spans global media relations, donor communications, advocacy partnerships, policy engagement, and organizational reputation management.
The successful candidate will bring strong strategic acumen, exceptional writing and storytelling ability, an understanding of climate-health advocacy, and a passion for amplifying the voices of communities most affected by environmental injustice.
This position is 100% remote, with at least five hours of daily overlap required with U.S. Eastern Time.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Lead and manage the External Affairs team with clear vision, mentorship, and day-to-day oversight.
- Develop and implement a unified global external affairs strategy that advances HCWH’s mission and strengthens international influence.
- Serve as a senior advisor to the Chief Communications Officer and act as deputy when needed.
- Ensure consistent, compelling external messaging and strengthen HCWH’s global reputation.
Media, Communications, and Donor Engagement
- Build and nurture relationships with global health correspondents and U.S. climate-health journalists.
- Lead media outreach: write and pitch press releases, op-eds, expert interviews, and major announcements.
- Oversee HCWH’s corporate website, digital communications strategy, and messaging center.
- Lead donor communications in partnership with development: steward donor relationships through updates, impact reports, case statements, and grant narratives.
- Support senior leadership with speeches, memos, talking points, and ghostwriting.
- Ensure cohesive, high-impact brand presence across digital channels, newsletters, and social media.
Stakeholder & Advocacy Engagement
- Guide external communications and advocacy across major policy arenas, including COP30, UN climate negotiations, the Global Plastics Treaty, and U.S. climate-health legislation such as the Inflation Reduction Act.
- Represent HCWH in coalitions, alliances, and global networks.
- Coordinate speaking engagements, prepare spokespeople, and pitch experts for high-level panels and events.
- Cultivate relationships with government agencies, multilateral institutions, health systems, community organizations, and donors.
- Support policy advocacy through message alignment, rapid response, and close coordination with program teams.
Capacity Building & Risk Management
- Develop staff training on media engagement and thought leadership.
- Provide guidance on crisis communications and manage reputational risks.
- Collaborate with People & Culture to strengthen internal communications, including support for a new global intranet.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required (communications or marketing preferred).
- At least 7 years of experience in communications, external affairs, or marketing—preferably within global health, health advocacy, community organizations, or membership-based institutions.
- Experience in INGOs, advocacy organizations, or global health strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to craft compelling narratives, amplify impacted communities, and manage complex communications portfolios.
- Strong strategic, editorial, interpersonal, and media relations skills.
How to Apply
To apply, submit the following via the application link:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Optional: Portfolio or samples of relevant work
Questions may be directed to jobs@hcwh.org. Only competitive candidates will be contacted. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until December 16, 2025.
Health Care Without Harm and Practice Greenhealth are committed to building diverse, inclusive, and equitable teams. We encourage applicants from historically marginalized communities and those with lived experience in environmental justice, climate impacts, or health care inequities.
