Department: Public Relations and Communications

Reports To: Senior Director, PR and Communications

FLSA Status: ☒Exempt (salaried)

Effective Date	May 2026
Prepared By	Senior Director, PR and Communications

Summary
The Director of Public Affairs & Communications is a senior leadership role responsible for advancing the organization’s reputation, voice, and strategic positioning. This role drives public affairs strategy, supports enterprise-wide communications, and serves as a key partner to the Senior Director, acting as a lead strategist on messaging, narrative development, and integrated communications strategy.

The Director ensures alignment across internal and external communications, drives proactive storytelling, and strengthens relationships with stakeholders, media, and policymakers.

Being part of the PR team at AANA is exciting because no two days look the same. The work spans a wide range of opportunities—from shaping national messaging and supporting advocacy efforts to managing media relations, crafting executive communications, and elevating the voice of nurse anesthesiology across platforms. That variety keeps the role dynamic and constantly engaging. You’re often responding in real time to industry developments, policy changes, current events and member needs. There’s a sense of momentum and purpose in knowing your work directly impacts how the profession is seen and understood.

We’re intentionally building a PR team that is both creative and solutions-focused—people who don’t just identify challenges, but bring fresh ideas and practical approaches to solving them. That mindset fuels innovation in how we show up, tell stories, engage audiences, and deliver results.

Interested in joining a team that challenges each other, moves quickly, and genuinely cares about doing meaningful work while treating our people well?

We’d love to hear from you.

Job Location

This position is considered Hybrid with an expectation to be in the Rosemont, IL or Washington D.C. office 2-4 times a month for All Staff Meetings, trainings, and department meetings, dependent on location.
Domestic travel to AANA events and conferences about 2-3 times per year.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Communications and Messaging	Percentage 30%
Partner closely with the Senior Director to shape and execute the organization’s overarching communications and messaging strategy.
Serve as a trusted advisor on narrative development, positioning, and reputation management.
Translate organizational priorities into clear, compelling messaging for diverse audiences.
Ensure consistency of voice and alignment across all communication channels and departments.

Public Affairs and External Relations	Percentage 30%
Lead public affairs strategy, including media relations, stakeholder engagement, and policy communications, serving as a key partner and advisor to the DC team.
Increases visibility of advocacy key messages for all relevant stakeholders by identifying innovative communication methods, building spokesperson readiness, consistently evaluating existing communications strategies, audience segments and measuring effectiveness of various communications efforts.
Cultivate and maintain relationships with key policy media, industry influencers, and external partners.
Create and oversee development of statements, op-eds, briefing materials, and rapid-response communications.
Monitor external environments and advise colleagues and leadership on emerging issues, risks, and opportunities.

Enterprise Communications Support	Percentage 20%
Provide strategic communications counsel to departments across the organization.
Ensure integrated communications planning across initiatives, campaigns, and business units.
Create reports and support executive communications, including speeches, presentations, and leadership messaging.
Collaborate cross-functionally to elevate organizational priorities and ensure message cohesion.

Team Leadership and Operations	Percentage 10%
Manage and mentor communications direct reports and/or cross-functional project teams.
Oversee workflows, editorial planning, and content development processes.
Ensure high-quality, timely execution of communications deliverables.
Contribute to budget planning and resource allocation
Build rapport, motivate team members and foster collaboration internally and externally.

Crisis and Issues Management	Percentage 10%
Support crisis communications planning and execution.
Serve as a key member of the rapid-response team, helping guide messaging during sensitive or high-risk situations
Develop frameworks and protocols for issue management and escalation.

Experience & Skills

Experience

8+ years' experience in the Communications or Public Relations industry.

Minimum of 3 years' experience as a people manager executing strategic communication or public affairs or advocacy campaigns, and programs/strategies.
Public Relations agency or management of an agency a plus.
Strong public affairs, advocacy communications or media relations background.
Crisis communication or issues management experience.
Demonstrated experience developing budgets and executing strategic communications plans.
Successful track record in assessing complex, competitive issues and situations in developing related initiatives in partnership with other cross-team stakeholders to drive business results.
Proven ability to advise senior leadership and manage complex, high-visibility initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to leverage AI tools for audience segmentation, message testing and coalition engagement.
Experience working across large or matrixed organizations preferred.
Prior success in developing narratives, stories, persuasive content and communicating effectively (and differently) depending on the medium.
Strong experience understanding how media, policy and public intersect: identifying opportunities, designing solutions and aligning action to drive performance.

Skills

Proactive, initiative driven individual with consistent follow through.
Superior time management skills, with the capability of working with and meeting deadlines.
Ability to think critically, understand complex concepts, synthesize information, and create clarity to support sound decision-making.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing conditions as situations arise.
Service-oriented and collaborative spirit.
Strong presentation creation and delivery skills with the ability to inspire and influence others.
Excellent oral and written communications including writing, editing, and storytelling skills
Effective participation in working groups and internal functions.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Education/Certifications/Licenses

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field.
Master’s degree is a plus but not required.

ADA Requirements

Physical Requirements:
Performs primarily sedentary work with limited physical exertion and occasional lifting of up to 10 lbs. Must be capable of climbing/descending stairs in emergency situations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Must be able to operate routine office equipment. Must be able to routinely perform work on a computer for an average of 6-8 hours per day, when necessary. Must be able to work extended hours whenever required or requested by management. Must be capable of regular, reliable, and timely attendance.

Working Conditions:
This position operates in a hybrid work environment, with a combination of remote and in-office work based on business needs. Employees must maintain a professional home workspace with reliable internet access. The role requires the ability to participate in virtual and in-person meetings. Occasional travel to the office or off-site events may be required.

Mental and/or Emotional Requirements:
Must be able to perform job functions independently or with limited supervision and work effectively either on own or as part of a team. Must be able to read and carry out various written instructions and follow verbal instructions. Must be able to speak clearly and deliver information in a logical and understandable sequence. Must be capable of dealing calmly and professionally with numerous different personalities from diverse cultures at various levels within and outside the organization. Demonstrate the highest levels of member service and discretion when dealing with the public. Must be able to perform responsibilities with composure under the stress of deadlines/requirements for extreme accuracy and quality and/or fast pace. Must be able to effectively handle multiple, simultaneous, and changing priorities. Must be capable of exercising the highest level of discretion on both internal and external confidential matters.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned.

Compensation & Benefits:

AANA invests in its people. Here are the main components of our total rewards package.

Compensation – Our goal is to ensure you have a competitive base salary. That’s why we regularly review the market value of jobs and make adjustments, as needed.
Performance and Recognition – You are rewarded for achieving success by merit increases and incentive programs; eligibility for an incentive program is based on the type of position.
Benefits – We offer a wide array of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, along with a robust retirement program that includes an employer match and automatic contribution. As a mark of our commitment to employee well-being, we also offer an employee assistance program, employee wellness program and telemedicine, and medical consultation.
Professional Development – Each department has a budget every fiscal year for you to use toward professional development or you may also be a mentor/mentee in our internal mentoring program.
Work-Life Balance –AANA offers Paid Time Off (PTO) at a minimum of 15 days per year for new employees that is prorated for your first year of hire. The number of days will increase based on seniority level. You will also have a total of 12 paid holidays off each year as well as:
- AANA offers a compressed work week schedule.
- Paid Winter Closure- AANA is closed from December 25th through January 1st each year.
- 3 Floating Holidays per year

1 “Culture/Heritage Day” per year for those that want to celebrate a holiday that is relative to their culture and/or heritage
1 “Volunteer Day” per year- exchange one workday per year for a full day of volunteering at a non-profit organization of your choice

Tuition Assistance – We support the career development of all employees. This program provides financial assistance to employees who wish to further their education and career in relation to their current duties and responsibilities, or for potential future positions in the organization.

A Little Bit About Us:

The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) advances, supports, and protects nurse anesthesiology. We are the transformative leader in driving innovation and patient-centered excellence in anesthesia and healthcare. Our core values include Integrity, Member-Centered Approach, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Advocacy, and Growth Through Excellence. Our motto is “Safe and effective Anesthesia Care for Every Patient.”

Headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois, and founded in 1931, AANA has a longstanding history of supporting Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), helping to improve patient care, and advancing the nurse anesthesiology profession overall. With more than 68,000 CRNAs and nurse anesthesiology resident members and 140 staff members, AANA is the transformational leader driving innovation and excellence in healthcare. Interactions with key stakeholders, such as members, professional organizations, government, and payors, will help to advance these objectives in support of the professional practice of anesthesiology.

Why work at AANA?

Our culture at AANA and appreciation for work-life balance is unmatched. At AANA, we put our employees first and understand they are our greatest asset. Leadership at AANA has open eyes, open ears, and open minds. Our goal is to continually find ways to improve both the CRNA profession and overall employee experience for our staff.

EEOC STATEMENT

As an equal opportunity employer, AANA is committed to maintaining a workplace in which all employees have an opportunity to participate and contribute to the success of the business and are valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives. To provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, AANA strictly prohibits discrimination against all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), ancestry, age, disability, creed, genetic information, marital status, membership in the national guard, military service or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable law. Accordingly, all employment decisions at AANA, including but not limited to in recruiting, hiring, compensation, training, promotions, discipline, and termination will be made based only on individual merit, qualifications and abilities, and AANA’s and resources.

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Director of Public Affairs and Communications

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