Senior Director, Advocacy Communications

Breakthrough T1D • Washington, DC

20d • $180 • Hybrid

About The Position

As the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, Breakthrough T1D helps make everyday life with T1D better while driving toward cures. We invest in the most promising research to turn ideas into life-changing therapies and devices. We work with government, regulatory officials, and insurance companies to address issues that impact the T1D community -- breaking through barriers that limit access to care worldwide. We provide resources and guidance that makes it easier to live and thrive with T1D. This is more than a moment -- we're empowering a movement for the T1D community. Share your support and help educate and empower individuals facing type 1 diabetes. Our mission is to improve lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life changing breakthroughs to treat, prevent and ultimately, cure T1D and its complications. Always, we are guided by a single purpose: As we drive towards curing type 1 diabetes, we help make everyday life better for the people who face it. The Senior Director of Advocacy Communications is a senior leader responsible for developing and executing a creative, comprehensive advocacy communications strategy that influences policymakers and advances Breakthrough T1D’s mission. Reporting to the Chief Global Advocacy Officer, this role requires an exceptional communicator, strategic thinker, and self-starter who is responsive and thrives in a fast-paced, highly collaborative, multi-functional environment. This role offers an exciting opportunity to join a high performing, mission driven team that values collaboration and camaraderie. You will shape national and global policy conversations, elevate the voice of the T1D community, and translate complex science and health policy into compelling narratives that move decision-makers to action. The Senior Director will bring deep expertise in oral, written, and visual communications—including drafting executive-level speeches and PowerPoint presentations—and will play a critical leadership role advancing innovative therapies and championing access for people living with T1D. This position is on a hybrid work schedule based out of Washington, DC.

Requirements

• 10–15 years of experience leading communications strategy, preferably in advocacy, government relations, public policy, or health-focused organizations.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, including the ability to develop persuasive executive-level PowerPoint materials.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as a self-starter while excelling in a highly collaborative, multi-functional environment.
• Deep understanding of the U.S. political and policymaking landscape; Capitol Hill experience strongly preferred.
• Health communications expertise required; experience with diabetes or T1D strongly preferred.
• Strong media relations experience and DC media connections.
• Proven ability to translate complex scientific, health, and policy concepts into clear, compelling messages.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented leader able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, and digital communications platforms.
• Travel less than 10%.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a long-term, multi-channel advocacy communications strategy to influence Congress, federal agencies, and other policymakers.
• Serve as the lead communications strategist for advocacy initiatives, providing clear direction, strong judgment, and creative leadership.
• Create and deliver high-impact written, verbal, and visual communications, including speeches, testimony, press materials, one-pagers, web content, volunteer communications, and executive-ready PowerPoint presentations.
• Lead and manage cross-functional projects in a matrixed organization, setting priorities, driving timelines, and proactively solving problems.
• Collaborate closely with Government Affairs, Grassroots, Regulatory Affairs, Health Policy, and Marketing & Communications and Development teams to ensure message alignment and integrated campaigns.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with DC-based media and proactively identify opportunities to elevate Breakthrough T1D and its advocacy priorities.
• Manage the Advocacy team’s social media presence, including drafting, scheduling, and amplifying content that keeps the public informed of advocacy activities and policy priorities in a timely manner.
• Monitor policy, media, and health trends to anticipate emerging issues and position Breakthrough T1D as a trusted thought leader.
• Support and empower staff and volunteers with messaging that strengthens advocacy engagement.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Global Advocacy Officer.

Benefits

• Breakthrough T1D offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 403(b) retirement plan, voluntary benefits, flexible spending and commuter benefit accounts, an employee assistance program (EAP), life and disability insurance, performance-based bonuses, and generous paid time off.
• Benefits may vary by job level and full time or part time status.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior