Head of Communications

Company: Convergent Research, LLC
Location: Boston
Posted on: February 2, 2025

Job Description:

Convergent Research is a non-profit science studio best known for pioneering the Focused Research Organization (FRO). We architect pivotal infrastructure that removes bottlenecks to breakthrough scientific research.FROs are a new operating model for science that ensures rapid iteration cycles and high-throughput learning. Convergent secures funding and provides an operational backbone for counterfactual R&D, creating space for scientists to do what they do best. FRO teams are agile, creative, and risk-tolerant as a result. They make fast progress because they start and stay focused.About the RoleConvergent Research has been building highly impactful new institutions for science for the last three years - quietly--- potentially too quietly.We're looking for a strategic storyteller and communications expert who can advance our role - and that of the FROs - as an increasingly visible leader in highly impactful scientific research. Not because we've suddenly realized that we want to be famous, but because our impact and the impact of all of our science depends on our ability to disseminate information, build confidence, and bring various audiences along with us.As our Head of Communications, you'll be our resident storyteller-in-chief. You'll craft and execute a communications strategy that resonates with funders, researchers, journalists, and even your scientifically curious neighbor. You'll also get to help a group of new CEOs learn about storytelling, train them in the art of presenting beyond their comfort zone, craft their narratives, and get their impact out there. Effectively you'll operate both as the Head of Communications for Convergent Research (-25%) and as the go-to communications advisor for all of our FROs (-75%).This isn't about spinning tales-it's about making our mission legible, compelling, and relatable. We need someone who can bridge the gap between the deeply technical and the wonderfully human, helping the world see why FROs matter and how they're changing the game.You are (skills)

• As excited as we are that we have the opportunity to build solutions to some of science's biggest bottlenecks. You have a deep belief that science and technology can be used to build a better future and know that our ability to tell the stories of that impact is key to making sure it happens.
• A source of trust and authority - You've done the full cycle of PR and communications several times through. This might mean you are an experienced manager with experience leading a strategic communications function and developing team members.
• A gifted storyteller in terms of writing and thought leadership. You can craft a compelling narrative about our mission and shape our brand for years to come.
• Able to help us develop our voice and brand - everyone on our executive team writes differently. Work with us to determine how we describe our work and our impact, and help teach others to use that voice.
• Experienced in communicating about science - you know the difference between the audiences who read Nature, The Atlantic, Science Fridays and Asimov Press.
• Sufficiently comfortable with science to be able to extract stories from technical founders - you can ask the questions that turn figures into impactful narratives.You will (duties)
  • Work with the Convergent Research executive team to develop an overall Convergent Research brand. You'll take the lead in defining our audiences, our narratives and our strategy.
  • Be a coach - We're unique in that we're actually running a series of small start-ups. That means that we have 10 (and soon more) executive teams who need to learn how to do communications. Everything from "how do we talk about what we do" to "what is a press release" to "how do we talk to journalists" to "is this a reasonable cost?"
  • Own our overall communications strategy. You'll create and maintain a comprehensive communications strategy, including our brand, our messaging, important audiences, risk management, and potentially fundraising. You'll be a strategic thought partner at the highest levels of the organization, and take ownership for steering our organization's communications strategy through a time of ongoing growth and increasing visibility - you'll help each of the FROs develop this too.
  • Lead content publication strategy. You'll act as a trusted thought partner to our senior leadership. You will also amplify the impact of our work through exceptional content publication and manage our existing portfolio, including the website, fundraising materials, and newsletters.
  • Develop and enhance our communications + PR arsenal. We may not be ready for any internal hires (yet) - but you're definitely going to need to build our network of designers, writers, PR teams, journalists, and other external partners to leverage.
  • Help develop a team approach to events marketing and communications - from materials and event planning, to data launch events - to accompany the success of our major milestones.In 6 months you will have (6 month goals)
    • Learned a lot about who Convergent is, what we have to say about ourselves and who our various audiences are.
    • Designed and began to implement a strategy for communications at Convergent Research.
    • Helped at least one FRO go through a public launch.
    • Began building out roadmaps, protocols, and content (internal and external resources) for FROs to use in their own communications strategies.We offer (great benefits)
      • An opportunity to change the world and work with some of the smartest and the most talented experts from different fields.
      • Competitive salary with up to a 6% 401k match (base salary range: $150-250k, equitably benchmarked based on experience and adjusted for location).
      • Excellent medical insurance options: 10-20 plans to choose from across major national and local carriers. Employee and family premiums for most plans are fully covered by the Company contribution.
      • Excellent dental and vision insurance options. Employee and family premiums for most plans are fully covered by the Company contribution.
      • Company-paid life insurance, AD&D, long- and short-term disability insurance, as well as voluntary supplemental insurance options.
      • 19 holidays (including the week off between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day).
      • 3 weeks PTO with tenure increases, with separate allotments for sick and parental leave.
      • Generous fertility benefits and childcare reimbursement.
      • Education and professional development benefits.
      • Wellness allowance for fitness and wellness activities.
      • Quarterly offsite team retreats and additional opportunities to meet your teammates in person.
      • #LI-Remote
      • #LI-KP1Convergent Research aims to help fill a structural gap in today's R&D system. We enable fundamental research that requires unusual levels of scale and coordination yet is not rapidly monetizable by industry. We're bringing together top talent from academia, industry, and startups to build a new model for innovative R&D.At Convergent Research, we are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We believe in hiring individuals based on their unique talents, not on race, color, religion, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law or our company policies. We are more than a proud Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Our goal is to foster a healthy, safe, and respectful environment where all employees are valued and treated with dignity. Harassment of any kind is not tolerated here.
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Keywords: Convergent Research, LLC, Newton , Head of Communications, Other , Boston, Massachusetts