PNHP

Employment opportunities at PNHP

Position: Communications Specialist

Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) advocates for a universal, comprehensive single-payer national health program (also called “Improved Medicare for All”). Since 1987, we’ve advocated for this reform in the U.S. health care system, growing into a nationally influential voice on health care reform with chapters and activists across the country, and a strong and growing student movement.

PNHP is a member-led organization that performs groundbreaking research on the health crisis and the need for fundamental reform, and uses a combination of popular education, policy expertise, and organizing to move the U.S. closer to single-payer health care.

PNHP, a national nonprofit organization based in Chicago, seeks a Communications Specialist to support our work to grow the single-payer health reform movement and put it at the top of the national and state agendas.

Position summary

The Communications Specialist works with the Executive Director as part of a two-person communications team to plan, initiate, execute, and manage public relations activities for PNHP with the goals of (1) winning advocacy campaigns that bring us closer to public health care for everybody; (2) reaching influential figures in the medical profession, media, and government; (3) recruiting more members; and (4) increasing fundraising.

PNHP is a national authority on single-payer health reform and its communications staff must be able to understand and synthesize health policy issues, as well as how to communicate those issues to the media, advocates, and others in a wide range of formats including white papers, media advisories, fact sheets, slide shows, email blasts and calls to action.

On PNHP’s two-person communications team, this position leads on writing internal and external communications, engaging with reporters for traditional media outlets, and developing the media and spokesperson skills of PNHP’s leaders and chapters. The position will work closely with PNHP’s other Communications Specialist, who leads efforts on digital media.

Job duties

Communicating with PNHP members and supporters

  • Develop and edit materials to engage PNHP members and support campaigns for reform, including white papers, fact sheets, brochures, pamphlets, and petitions.
  • Compose and edit internal communications, including PNHP’s quarterly print newsletter, end of year report, and regular email blasts to PNHP members and supporters. 
  • Write fundraising communications to members and supporters.
  • Work with the communications team to maintain PNHP’s communications calendar and develop and execute communications strategy to support PNHP’s campaigns to transform health care.
  • Collaborate with the communications team to maintain PNHP’s digital media and communications infrastructure.

Media Outreach and Response

  • Lead media outreach and handle media inquiries to support PNHP’s campaigns to win Medicare for All and other priorities.
  • Produce and pitch media materials such as opinion pieces, articles, and letters to the editor.
  • Maintain a master media list and cultivate relationships with reporters.

Membership Development

  • Train and support the ability of physicians to advocate for Medicare for All through written media (such as letters to the editor and op-eds) and as spokespeople. Coordinate and train PNHP’s Opinion Writers Team. 
  • Work with local PNHP chapters to build the skills and plans they need to garner media attention to win PNHP campaigns.

Policy Support

  • Develop and maintain an understanding of Medicare for All and health care research, policy, and legislation.
  • Staff PNHP’s Policy Committee, which digests issues relevant to the single-payer movement and produces materials to analyze proposals and promote understanding of key aspects of our work to win health care reform.
  • Keep abreast of health news, studies, and policy publications. Collect articles and publications to share with PNHP membership.

Other tasks and roles as assigned

Qualifications and attributes

  • 1-3 years of experience in journalism, communications, health policy, public policy, political campaigns, or a related field.
  • Knowledge of health policy and the curiosity to understand complex issues.
  • Strong multi-tasking and interpersonal skills.
  • Commitment to social justice and not-for-profit single-payer national health insurance.
  • Knowledge of AP style a plus.
  • Familiarity with or ability to learn communications technology, including WordPress and CRM software such as Salsa.
  • Experience working with physicians and students, and/or in a membership-based organization a plus.
  • Ability to be proactive and self-directed while retaining the flexibility necessary to work on a small team with changing workflows.

Salary and benefits

Salary $50,000-53,000, commensurate with experience.

Excellent benefits package including fully paid family medical, dental, and vision insurance.

Submission requirements

Email your resume along with a cover letter expressing your specific interest in PNHP and a writing sample to jobs@pnhp.org with the subject line “Communications Specialist Application First Name Last Name.” No calls please. Persons of color, women, LGBTQ-identifying persons, and others from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.