Public Relations Director

Overview

Description

Please note:

This role is contingent upon a contract award. While it is not an immediate opening, we are actively conducting interviews and extending offers in anticipation of the award. The Public Relations Director leads integrated earned media, risk/crisis communications, stakeholder engagement, and digital/social outreach supporting FDA’s mission to protect and promote public health. This role develops and governs PR strategy in close coordination with FDA, ensuring scientific accuracy, timely media response, and compliant public communications across channels.

Location:

Remote

Responsibilities

• Lead rapid‑response communications for emergent public health issues; manage misinformation correction protocols consistent with FDA guidance and best practices.

• Set and execute FDA‑aligned PR strategy; oversee press announcements, briefings, interviews, and media availabilities; act as primary liaison to national and trade media.

• Establish policy‑consistent responses to media inquiries; coordinate cross‑agency messaging with HHS; analyze coverage and report insights to leadership.

• Collaborate with FDA’s Public Engagement Staff to engage patient groups, health professionals, academia, and consumer organizations; coordinate content for public advisories and Med Watch communications where applicable.

• Lead social media strategy and oversight in compliance with FDA’s Social Media Policy (including contractor applicability); ensure fair‑balanced presentation of benefits/risks where relevant.

• Ensure all public‑facing digital content meets Section 508 standards and current OMB directives on digital accessibility; build processes for ongoing accessibility monitoring and remediation.

• Define KPIs; implement dashboards to track earned media outcomes, sentiment, reach, accessibility conformance, and plain‑language quality; deliver executive briefings and after‑action reviews.

Basic Qualifications

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a public trust clearance

• U.S. Citizenship required (required by federal government for the position)

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Public Health, or related field; advanced degree preferred.

• 7+ years in PR/communications, including 4+ years leading media relations for regulated healthcare, life sciences, or public health organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in communications, public health, social sciences, business, or associated disciplines a plus

• Demonstrated success planning and executing national media strategies, crisis communications, and cross‑stakeholder outreach for science‑based topics.

• Experience with FDA program/project management

• Background in public health risk communication, scientific publishing, or regulatory communications for medical products/tobacco/foods.

Professional Skills

• Strong project management skills, including planning, organization, and multitasking.

• Excellent interpersonal (verbal, written), active listening, and organizational skills

• Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., Smartsheets, Asana, Trello, ) and MS Office Suite.

• Strong leadership, organizational skills, and attention to detail

• Excellent time management skills, with the ability to prioritize and multi-task in a fast-paced environment

• Ability to work collaboratively and establish strong working relationships with colleagues and clients

Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting‑edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEO policy.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled…