Senior Communications Manager, Science Technology

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative was founded by Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg in 2015 to help solve some of society’s toughest challenges — from eradicating disease and improving education to addressing the needs of our local communities. Our mission is to build a more inclusive, just, and healthy future for everyone.

The Team

CZI supports the science and technology that will make it possible to help scientists cure, prevent, or manage all diseases by the end of this century. While this may seem like an audacious goal, in the last 100 years, biomedical science has made tremendous strides in understanding biological systems, advancing human health, and treating disease. 

Achieving our mission will only be possible if scientists are able to better understand human biology. To that end, we have identified four grand challenges that will unlock the mysteries of the cell and how cells interact within systems — paving the way for new discoveries that will change medicine in the decades that follow:

• Building an AI-based virtual cell model to predict and understand cellular behavior
• Developing state-of-the-art imaging systems to observe living cells in action
• Instrumenting tissues to better understand inflammation, a key driver of many diseases
• Engineering and harnessing the immune system for early detection, prevention, and treatment of disease

CZI’s work in science includes grantmaking programs, open-source software development, and close collaboration with the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network. The CZ Biohub Network includes the San Francisco, Chicago, and New York Biohubs as well as the Chan Zuckerberg Imaging Institute. CZI also collaborates with institutional partners like the Kempner Institute for the Study of Natural & Artificial Intelligence at Harvard University. Join us in accelerating science.

The Opportunity

This role sits on the Brand and Communications team and reports to the Director of Science Communications. In this role, you will advance CZI’s communications in support of our science technology work, partnering closely with CZI’s science technology team and staff at our scientific institutes across the CZ Biohub Network to develop, coordinate, and execute strategic communications in support of science technology goals and priorities. You will also support the overall Brand and Communications team and our colleagues across Science with positioning and storytelling for CZI as an established leader in AI-driven biological research.

Artificial intelligence has enormous potential to accelerate the pace of scientific discovery. CZI is leveraging AI to accelerate scientific research, including by building virtual cell models to help scientists explore the molecular underpinnings of human health and disease. These models will have broad applications for biomedical research, disease diagnosis, and therapeutic development. 

The Senior Communications Manager, Science Technology role at CZI is an opportunity for an experienced communications professional to lead CZI’s rapidly growing science technology communications – from topics such as AI to open source software to hardware – for a fast-paced and innovative philanthropic organization on the cutting edge of technology development for biomedicine. As part of the Brand and Communications team, you will help build trust, credibility, and engagement with the scientific community to champion and contribute to our science mission.

The right person will have strong domain expertise at the intersection of science and technology, experience working with science and technology reporters, and the desire and ability to collaborate cross-functionally with science, engineering, product, and brand and communications teams.

What You'll Do

• Create and execute integrated communications strategies for CZI’s work in science technology, including for tools built in-house and through partnerships with CZI’s grantees, AI residents, and CZ Biohub Network researchers 
• Partner closely with science technology leaders at CZI to identify thought leadership opportunities and provide executive communications guidance on speaking engagements, press requests, and other public-facing opportunities
• Develop media and stakeholder outreach strategies and manage activities related to science technology, including proactively sourcing and pitching stories about CZI’s work in AI and developing and maintaining relationships with members of the media (with a focus on science and technology reporters)
• Collaborate across functions and teams to create and support or manage content development related to CZI’s science technology work, including press releases, statements, memos, blogs, social media, website content, product marketing, and other communications materials
• Establish metrics for success and mechanisms for reporting and build on internal operational processes.

What You'll Bring

• 10-12 years of experience in science and/or technology communications. A mix of agency and in-house communications experience is preferred. 
• Record of producing high-impact strategic communications plans
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interface with employees at all levels, including executives
• Strong experience working with reporters, including national and tech-focused media, including “on-the-record” experience
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to distill and clearly communicate complex technical information for a variety of audiences 
• Comfort working in an ambiguous, matrixed environment, where decisions happen fast and we learn by doing and adapt as needed. Willingness and ability to work collaboratively, adapt to a dynamic work environment, and navigate complexity to deliver results
• Willingness to travel (estimated travel is 20%)

Compensation

The Redwood City, CA base pay range for this role is $171,000 - $257,000. New hires are typically hired into the lower portion of the range, enabling employee growth in the range over time. Actual placement in range is based on job-related skills and experience, as evaluated throughout the interview process. 

Benefits for the Whole You 

We’re thankful to have an incredible team behind our work. To honor their commitment, we offer a wide range of benefits to support the people who make all we do possible. 

• CZI provides a generous employer match on employee 401(k) contributions to support planning for the future.
• Annual benefit for employees that can be used most meaningfully for them and their families, such as housing, student loan repayment, childcare, commuter costs, or other life needs.
• CZI Life of Service Gifts are awarded to employees to “live the mission” and support the causes closest to them.
• Paid time off to volunteer at an organization of your choice. 
• Funding for select family-forming benefits. 
• Relocation support for employees who need assistance moving to the Bay Area
• And more!

If you’re interested in a role but your previous experience doesn’t perfectly align with each qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply as you may be the perfect fit for this or another role.

Explore our work modes, benefits, and interview process at www.chanzuckerberg.com/careers.

#LI-Hybrid