Manager, PR & Executive Communications

23andMe•Palo Alto, CA

1d•$110,000 - $160,000

About The Position

We are looking for a Manager, PR & Executive Communications to join our team. This is a high-leverage role at a defining moment. Executive voice and credibility are critical to advancing the Institute’s scientific mission and rebuilding durable public trust in genetics research. You will help shape how 23andMe shows up in the world, and influence how the next chapter of genetics is understood. Who We Are We are a group of individuals passionate about genetic discovery. 23andMe Research Institute is a nonprofit medical research organization that enables people everywhere to access their genetic information, learn about themselves, and participate in the world's largest crowdsourced research initiative. The Institute aims to be the world's most significant contributor to scientific advancement, uniting people with the common goal of improving health and deepening our understanding of DNA — the code of life. What You’ll Do This role will serve as a strategic partner supporting the Research Institute PR across product, education and research, including executive and CEO PR. This role will support and drive pitching external engagements, speaking events, media, thought leadership pieces, and high-priority communications initiatives. You will also support the Head of Communications in building scalable processes and strengthening executive visibility during a resource-constrained, high-impact phase for the organization. This role is equal parts strategist, operator, and doer. You will manage a high volume of inbound PR, shape executive messaging, coordinate tightly with the CEO’s Chief of Staff, and ensure impact in every external moment. Executive Communications & Thought Leadership: Develop strategic and executional briefing materials for the CEO and Executive speaking engagements, panels, media appearances, investor conversations (where relevant), and nonprofit events. Ensure messaging reflects the Research Institute’s nonprofit mission, scientific rigor, and commitment to trust and transparency. Partner with research leadership to translate complex science into accessible, compelling narratives. Maintain a forward-looking executive visibility calendar aligned with organizational priorities. Evaluate opportunities against strategic priorities; provide clear recommendations. Coordinate directly with the CEO’s Chief of Staff to manage scheduling, prep time, and priorities. Develop comprehensive event briefs (audience analysis, key messages, Q&A prep, logistics, stakeholder mapping). Help build and maintain scalable systems for executive communications (request tracking, prioritization frameworks, message libraries). Support alignment across nonprofit and corporate narratives when needed: Triage and respond to daily inbound media inquiries Develop and maintain strong relationships with relevant press Build and manage strategic media distribution lists for public-facing announcements and materials distribution Conduct proactive media outreach for new product launches and other company announcements Develop relevant and well-written support documentation, such as media interview preparation documents, media pitches, and messaging for product launches or company announcements Track and analyze media coverage, including weekly and monthly reporting Work seamlessly with our digital experience and social media teams to coordinate public announcements and special projects Tracking and compiling relevant industry news to share company-wide Liaise with the 23andMe Research team to stay informed and up to date on interesting peer-reviewed research; communicate research to science reporters and other relevant media Work cross-functionally across a number of teams to ensure we’re effectively communicating important and relevant company information to the public

Requirements

5–8+ years in communications, executive communications, public affairs, or related field.
Experience directly supporting a C-level executive or founder.
Exceptional writing skills—clear, persuasive, and adaptable across scientific, nonprofit, and public audiences.
Strong judgment and discretion; comfort handling sensitive topics.
Ability to translate complex health, biotech, or scientific concepts into accessible messaging.
Highly organized, calm under pressure, and capable of managing high request volume.
Experience working in resource-constrained environments where you both design strategy and execute.

Nice To Haves

Background in healthcare, biotech, genomics, public health, or nonprofit research.
Experience in trust recovery or reputation management environments.
Familiarity with the broader 23andMe ecosystem and mission.

Responsibilities

Develop strategic and executional briefing materials for the CEO and Executive speaking engagements, panels, media appearances, investor conversations (where relevant), and nonprofit events.
Ensure messaging reflects the Research Institute’s nonprofit mission, scientific rigor, and commitment to trust and transparency.
Partner with research leadership to translate complex science into accessible, compelling narratives.
Maintain a forward-looking executive visibility calendar aligned with organizational priorities.
Evaluate opportunities against strategic priorities; provide clear recommendations.
Coordinate directly with the CEO’s Chief of Staff to manage scheduling, prep time, and priorities.
Develop comprehensive event briefs (audience analysis, key messages, Q&A prep, logistics, stakeholder mapping).
Help build and maintain scalable systems for executive communications (request tracking, prioritization frameworks, message libraries).
Support alignment across nonprofit and corporate narratives when needed
Triage and respond to daily inbound media inquiries
Develop and maintain strong relationships with relevant press
Build and manage strategic media distribution lists for public-facing announcements and materials distribution
Conduct proactive media outreach for new product launches and other company announcements
Develop relevant and well-written support documentation, such as media interview preparation documents, media pitches, and messaging for product launches or company announcements
Track and analyze media coverage, including weekly and monthly reporting
Work seamlessly with our digital experience and social media teams to coordinate public announcements and special projects
Tracking and compiling relevant industry news to share company-wide
Liaise with the 23andMe Research team to stay informed and up to date on interesting peer-reviewed research; communicate research to science reporters and other relevant media
Work cross-functionally across a number of teams to ensure we’re effectively communicating important and relevant company information to the public