Chief Development and Communications Officer

OpenBiome

Job Description

Chief Development and Communications Officer at OpenBiome

OpenBiome accelerates bold discoveries in microbiome science to improve health for all. Come join our nonprofit team as we catalyze cutting edge research, advance treatments, and expand scientific capacity to unlock the full potential of the microbiome. 

About OpenBiome:

OpenBiome is an early pioneer in microbiome science that is leveraging our experience and expertise to catalyze microbiome research worldwide.

Launched out of MIT in 2013, OpenBiome was initially founded as the first public stool bank providing fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) preparations. At the time, only a handful of clinicians offered fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), a treatment that has an 85% cure rate for C. difficile, the most common hospital-acquired infection in the country. By reducing the logistical and administrative barriers to FMT, OpenBiome developed fecal transplants from a fringe therapy to a treatment recommended by medical societies around the world. To date we have provided more than 68,000 treatments for recurrent C. difficile infections. This work has improved the lives of thousands of patients who failed standard treatment options and laid the foundation for a new class of microbiome-based therapies. 

Beyond C. difficile, OpenBiome has also enabled more than 40 clinical trials exploring the use of microbiome-based approaches to address a wide range of indications spanning autoimmune disorders, infectious disease, malnutrition, cancer, and neuropsychiatric diseases. 

We have also expanded our mission to grow our global impact and fill critical gaps in microbiome science—primarily the need for increased representation in sampling and scientific leadership. Current research efforts, largely limited to wealthy, industrialized countries, give us a narrow view of the microbiome that excludes most of the world from a critical field of medicine. Our new flagship program, the Global Microbiome Conservacy (GMbC), partners with an international consortium of researchers to conserve and promote understanding of the global diversity of the human microbiome. To date, the GMbC has biobanked and whole-genome sequenced ~10,000 gut bacterial strains from more than 1,200 participants in 36 underrepresented communities worldwide, and are making these materials available through a nonprofit microbiome collection for researchers.  

 

Position Summary: 

A new position in the organization, augmenting the current executive team and working closely with the CEO, the Chief Development & Communications Officer (CDCO) will provide: leadership, strategic direction, management and coordination for all of OpenBiome's fundraising, marketing and communication efforts. The CDCO has primary responsibility for securing funding from public and private philanthropic sources and expanding international awareness of OpenBiome.   
The ideal candidate will develop and execute strategic plans to meet fundraising goals, advance our brand, and promote our mission. Heading up both the development and marketing/communications functions, they’ll set innovative fundraising strategies, increase awareness of our programs, and generate support through effective messaging and campaigns. This key role will involve implementation of the infrastructure for major gifts and corporate and foundation support, while serving as an ambassador to engage stakeholders and inspire their involvement.  The CDCO will also excel as a skilled storyteller / mentor, fundraiser, and "donor-engager".

Company work location is in Woburn, MA with remote/hybrid / flexible options. 

 

Position Responsibilities / Duties

  • Define and execute OpenBiome’s annual fundraising plan; establishing revenue growth goals, developing strategies to achieve the goals and tracking of progress
  • Support and provide information to Chief Executive Officer, Board of Directors, and event committees
  • Drive key revenue sources and results in terms of a large sustained base of annual donors
  • Cultivate and steward relationships with business, corporate, and community leaders, individual donors, foundations, and external and internal stakeholders to increase visibility and involvement with OpenBiome
  • Research grant opportunities for possible funding alignment, prepare grant proposals, and complete timely grant reporting, interfacing with the finance team and program team as needed
  • Develop and tracking of proposals and reports for all foundation and corporate fundraising
  • Research potential sources of, and apply for, grants and public funding
  • Oversee the fundraising process and approve, develop and track budget to actual expenses, managing expenditures to minimize budget variances 
  • Develop and implement thought leadership communications strategies that seamlessly integrate development, marketing, and program(s) messaging to increase OpenBiome’s visibility to external audiences, reach new and diverse audiences, and enhance understanding of, and financial support for our mission
  • Oversee External Relations function and team, including marketing (communications consultant(s), advertising, public relations, creative, marketing technology, contract administration, and events planning and attendance) 
  • Design annual marketing and communications strategy(s) to include digital (web, social, email), print, etc.
  • Manage marketing and communications staff and/or consultant(s) to implement and evaluate the strategy
  • Attend and/or organize events on behalf of OpenBiome
  • Prepare and submit impact reports to funders
  • Research and incorporate ideas, trends, and issues related to philanthropy 
  • Ensure organization brand integrity both internally and externally
 

Position Skills, Knowledge, Qualifications, & Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in marketing, finance, communications, public relations or other related field
  • Seven or more years of direct and progressive professional experience in fund development /fundraising for non-profit organization(s)
  • Non-profit health /medical research institute experience
  • Prior communications/marketing/public relations background and/ or experience  
  • Demonstrated skills as a motivator and relationship builder able to reach new donors and build existing relationships
  • Visionary capability. Effective and advanced - ability communicator. Strong understanding of marketing and business development capabilities. Skilled in leading complex teams with varied disciplines
  • Demonstrated record of proactive and creative approach to problem-solving and generating new business
  • Demonstrated track record of setting and meeting progressively higher fundraising goals
  • Extensive knowledge of fundraising strategies and principles
  • Demonstrated experience creating strategic plans that connect marketing goals and strategies to overall business strategies, and metrics that demonstrate success
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills
  • Strong organizational skills, including financial oversight and planning capability
  • Exceptional commitment to professionalism, honesty, empathy, and ability to build strong relationships 
  • Passion, humility, and excitement toward accomplishment of what needs to be done to meet a great public health need
  • Demonstrated commitment to racial equity,  particularly to health equity
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite;  Working knowledge of customer relationship management (CRM) platform/ database , Salesforce.com or similar preferred
  • Ability to travel for business and potentially on short notice 
  • Ability to multitask and work in an organized and efficient manner in a hybrid working environment
  • Must be legally eligible to work in the United States
  • Skilled in leading  teams made up of  varied disciplines
 

OpenBiome is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, status as a qualified individual with disability, or any other legally protected status. All applicants must be able to show proof of eligibility to work in the United States.