Director, External Communications

Aafp Open · verified Sep 10, 2026

Hybrid Leawood Full-time Director Communications

Leadership Communications role at Aafp. Leawood · full-time.

Role brief

Growth Roles summary, based on the employer's posting.

What you'll do

You'll lead public relations, FamilyDoctor.org, funded communications, sponsored products and targeted campaigns
You'll advise on communications that build trust in family physicians and support organizational priorities
You'll manage communications professionals serving public and physician audiences
You'll grow external partnerships and broaden the reach of AAFP's mission

What you bring

Bring a bachelor's degree and ten to fifteen years leading integrated communications and complex multichannel work
Have at least five years managing teams, budgets and cross-functional projects
Have at least five years handling media relations with national, regional and trade outlets
Communicate clearly with stakeholders, solve issues early and flag risks with proposed next steps
Crisis communications experience and background in health care, public health, advocacy or mission-driven organizations are preferred

Who this fits

You’ll suit this role if you’re a strategic communications leader and people manager who can work with both public and physician audiences. The position is hybrid in Leawood and follows Monday through Friday hours, with additional hours as needed. Travel may involve ten to fifteen days per year.

From the employer

Thank you for your interest in careers at AAFP!

The American Academy of Family Physicians and its chapters proudly represent more than 124,500 family physician, resident, and medical student members. Family physicians play a critical role in improving the health of patients, families, and communities across the United States.

The AAFP is committed to helping family physicians improve the health of Americans by advancing the specialty of family medicine, saving members time, and maximizing the value of membership. Our focus every day is to help family physicians spend more time doing what they do best: providing quality and cost-effective patient care. The AAFP delivers value to its members through each of its strategic priorities.

Summary

HOURS: Monday-Friday ((Hybrid)
Additional hours as needed
TRAVEL: Possible 10-15 days per year

Job Description

When you join the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), you help advance work that supports family physicians and improves health care delivery. The Director, External Communications is a strategic leader, advisor and people manager overseeing a talented team of communications professionals responsible for delivering high-impact programs that build trust in family physicians, support organizational priorities, strengthen external partnerships and extend the reach of AAFP’s mission. You will provide leadership for public relations, FamilyDoctor.org, funded communication initiatives, sponsored products and targeted communication campaigns that engage both public and physician audiences.

Required Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree and 10-15 years of experience leading integrated communication strategies and complex, multichannel initiatives.

· 5+ years of experience managing teams, budgets and cross-functional projects.

· 5+ years of experience in media relations working with national, regional and trade media.

· Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly with stakeholders at multiple levels, solve problems proactively, and surface risks with recommended next steps.

Preferred Qualifications

· 3+ years of experience in crisis communications and issues management.

· Experience working in health care, health communications, public health, membership associations, nonprofit organization or mission-driven organizations.

· Experience working in advocacy or government relations communications or supporting a government relations/advocacy team.

At the AAFP we are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, marital status, religion, physical or mental disability, military/veteran status, or any other protected status.

EEO Employer/Vets/Disabled

For the Hearing Impaired our TTY number is: (913) 906-6333

We thank all respondents for their interest in AAFP.

Interested in this position? Apply on-line and create a personal candidate account!

Current Employees of AAFP - Please use the internal careers portal to apply for positions.