---
title: 'Director, Media Relations and Communications at Chan Zuckerberg Initiative'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/director-media-relations-and-communications-chan-zuckerberg-initiative-new-york-2031ve4rx9p8'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-12'
---

# Director, Media Relations and Communications at Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

- **Company:** Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
- **Location:** New York, NY / Redwood City, CA
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-06-04
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-12
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/chanzuckerberginitiative/jobs/7943650

## Job description

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative was founded in 2015 by Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg to harness the power of technology to pursue some of society’s most ambitious goals — from curing or preventing all disease to transforming how students learn.

At CZI, you’ll join a deeply collaborative, mission-driven community where your work helps drive breakthroughs across our flagship nonprofit organizations, Biohub and Learning Commons. Whether enabling scientific breakthroughs via open science and AI-powered biology or strengthening the tools teachers and students rely on every day, your contributions help turn bold ideas into real-world impact.

Our teams operate at the intersection of innovation and scale, building the infrastructure, partnerships, and capabilities that allow scientists, educators, and innovators to tackle some of the most complex challenges of our time — and to do so with urgency, integrity, and optimism.

The Team

The Operations team is a key partner in enabling [Biohub’](https://biohub.org/)s pioneering work to combine frontier AI with frontier biology to solve disease and [Learning Commons](https://learningcommons.org/)’ mission to build AI infrastructure that aligns how students learn with the tools that shape their learning experiences.

Operations includes our Central Tech, Finance, Marketing & Communications, People, and Real Estate / Workplace / Events / Facilities / Security (REWFS) teams. Together, these teams create the systems, programs, and experiences that empower our partners and colleagues across Biohub and Learning Commons to drive impact.

This work requires strategic and operational rigor, creativity, and deep collaboration. Whether designing world-class employee experiences, safeguarding data and infrastructure, or shaping how we communicate our impact, Operations plays a critical role in helping deliver meaningful change at scale.

The Opportunity

As Director of Media Relations and Communications, you will lead Biohub’s earned media, product launch communications, and external visibility strategy at the intersection of AI, biology, and public interest.

This is a senior, highly visible role for a communications leader who knows how influence is built today — across journalists, creators, podcasters, newsletter writers, commentators, social-first science and technology voices, and other trusted platforms. You will help bring Biohub’s work to the audiences that matter most, including AI researchers, scientists, technologists, funders, policymakers, and people interested in how AI can accelerate progress toward curing and preventing disease.

You will report to the Vice President of Biohub Communications and lead media and launch communications strategy for Biohub, overseeing a team of 3–5 communications managers. You will bring strong editorial judgment, a sharp sense of what makes a story compelling, and the ability to shape and secure coverage across both established and emerging channels — from national media and trade press to podcasts, newsletters, YouTube, LinkedIn, Substack, and other influential platforms.

## What You'll Do

- Develop and execute comprehensive earned media and influence strategies that reach Biohub’s priority audiences, including AI researchers, scientists, technologists, science and tech media, and broader audiences interested in scientific progress and health.
- Build a clear point of view on where and how Biohub should show up across today’s media ecosystem — including traditional outlets, podcasts, newsletters, creator-led platforms, social-first media, and other influential channels.
- Lead communications strategy and execution for Biohub product launches, including AI models, datasets, tools, platforms, and other technical or scientific products.
- Partner with product, research, marketing, social, editorial, executive communications, and design teams to develop launch narratives, messaging, media plans, briefing strategies, and campaign materials.
- Identify the right mix of opportunities for each story, from major announcements and product launches to executive visibility, thought leadership, evergreen storytelling, and issues management.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with reporters, editors, and influencers across traditional and digital platforms to secure earned media. Knowledge of and experience with science media is a plus but not required.
- Serve as the primary media contact, handling background conversations, on-the-record interviews and managing inquiries. Serve as a spokesperson when needed.
- Prepare senior leadership for media engagements, including providing media coaching, talking points, and briefing materials.
- Draft, edit, and approve product launch and campaign materials, such as talking points and Q&A and other media-related materials that may be used (e.g., press releases).
- Reputation and Crisis Management: Help manage communication during potential reputational or other high-stakes issues.
- Drive earned media, share of voice, and narrative influence while measuring and reporting on media performance, sentiment, and PR campaign impact in partnership with Marketing and Operations.

## What You'll Bring

- 10+ years of experience in media relations, communications, public affairs, or related fields, with deep, established relationships across the modern media ecosystem, including technology, AI, science, business, and health media, as well as podcasts, newsletters, creators, commentators, and other influential platforms.
- Proven experience leading and developing communications professionals, including managing high-performing teams and fostering a collaborative, accountable culture in complex, fast-paced environments.
- A proven track record of securing high-impact earned coverage and shaping public narratives around complex technology, science, AI, biotech, or health topics.
- Demonstrated in-house communications experience supporting technology, AI, scientific research, biotech, or other innovation-driven organizations.
- Comfort with managing multiple fast-moving workstreams—from product launches to evergreen pitching.
- Experience leading communications for product launches, ideally involving AI/ML, developer tools, research platforms, biotech, scientific software, open-source tools, datasets, models, or other technical products.
- Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, with strong instincts for what will resonate with AI and technology journalists and other audiences interested in scientific progress and health; ability to translate complex technical concepts into compelling narratives while balancing accuracy, optimism, and credibility.
- Demonstrated ability to remain steady, solutions-oriented, and effective in rapidly evolving and often ambiguous environments.
- Experience managing PR and agency partners and working cross-functionally with product, marketing, research, and executive stakeholders.
- Track record of effectively advising and influencing senior executives and stakeholders on media strategy.
- Excitement and optimism for the opportunity AI presents in accelerating scientific research and discovery.

## Compensation

The Redwood City, CA, and New York City, NY base pay range for a new hire in this role is $193,000- $265,100. 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.

This position may be eligible to participate in our discretionary annual performance bonus program. Bonus eligibility and targets are determined in accordance with our total rewards philosophy and may vary by role.

Better Together

As we grow, we’re excited to strengthen in-person connections and cultivate a collaborative, team-oriented environment. This role is a hybrid position requiring you to be onsite for at least 60% of the working month, approximately 3 days a week, with specific in-office days determined by the team’s manager. The exact schedule will be at the hiring manager's discretion and communicated during 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.

- Provides a generous employer match on employee 401(k) contributions to support planning for the future.
- 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

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.

#LI-Hybrid

https://www.facebook.com/chanzuckerberginitiative/ https://www.instagram.com/chanzuckerberginitiative/ https://www.threads.net/@chanzuckerberginitiative/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/chan-zuckerberg-initiative/ https://twitter.com/chanzuckerberg https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZioJ6fb9SuRdLIO7DlE09w

## About Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: A philanthropic organization founded by Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg to help solve society’s toughest challenges, from curing or preventing disease to improving education and addressing local community needs.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Philanthropic LLC & Foundation) – funded by founder wealth, not outside investors.
- **Headquarters**: Redwood City, California, USA
- **Founded**: 2015
- **Founders**: Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Science (AI-powered biology), Education (learning science and technology), Local Community Giving
- **Target customers**: Not a traditional customer-facing business; serves researchers, educators, students, and nonprofit organizations through grants, ventures, and direct programs.
- **Mission**: “To help solve some of society’s toughest challenges — from curing or preventing disease to improving education and addressing the needs of our local communities.”

## Products & Services
- **Grants & Ventures**: Through grantmaking and a venture portfolio, CZI invests in bold ideas. Since 2015, it has awarded approximately $7.22 billion in grants and invested nearly $300 million in ventures aligned with its values. [chanzuckerberg.com](https://chanzuckerberg.com/)
- **Science (Biohub)**: A network of research institutes (e.g., Chan Zuckerberg Biohub) that bring together scientists, engineers, and AI experts with a shared mission to help scientists cure or prevent all disease.
- **Education**: Developing learning science-based tools for teachers and students, ensuring technology reflects classroom realities and strengthens teaching and learning.
- **Local Giving**: Supporting communities where Mark and Priscilla live and work through partnerships with local nonprofits and solutions for emerging needs.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not applicable (philanthropic entity); no market valuation.
- **Key Metric**: $7.22 billion in total grants awarded (since 2015) and nearly $300 million in venture investments. [chanzuckerberg.com](https://chanzuckerberg.com/)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: No external investors; funded by the personal wealth of Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan. Partners include academic institutions, nonprofits, and technology companies.
- **Growth Signals**: Rapidly expanding its AI-powered biology efforts; increasing headcount and building out new Biohub locations; active hiring across engineering, science, operations, and legal teams.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Unique mission focus**: Combines philanthropy, venture capital, and direct operations to tackle large-scale problems in science and education.
- **Long-term, patient capital**: Not constrained by quarterly earnings or investor demands, allowing high-risk, high-reward projects.
- **AI + Biology integration**: Leading the new era of AI-powered biology with dedicated Biohub institutes.
- **Founder backing**: Direct involvement of Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan provides stability and resources.

## Strategic Focus
- **Science**: Accelerate AI-powered biology to help cure, prevent, or manage all disease.
- **Education**: Bring learning science into everyday classroom technology.
- **Local Giving**: Deepen community partnerships in the Bay Area and beyond.
- **Talent & Culture**: Prioritize in-office collaboration while maintaining hybrid flexibility; invest in employee development and well-being.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Mission-driven, collaborative environment focused on solving big problems. Values include “Live the Mission”, “Stay close to the work”, and “Flexibility of Teams”. [chanzuckerberg.com](https://chanzuckerberg.com/careers/collaboration/)
- **Work Modes**: Hybrid (most roles), onsite, and some remote positions. The company is “increasingly prioritizing in-office collaboration” but offers flexibility at the team level. [chanzuckerberg.com](https://chanzuckerberg.com/careers/collaboration/)
- **Benefits**:
  - 100% premium coverage for medical, dental, and vision for employees; 75% for dependents.
  - Generous time off: paid holidays, vacation, sick, volunteer, parental leave, family care leave, and more.
  - 401(k) with generous match.
  - “Whole You Fund” – annual benefit for housing, student loans, childcare, commuter costs, etc.
  - Professional development allowance and unlimited on-demand learning.
  - Family forming benefits (infertility, surrogacy, adoption).
  - Mental wellness coaching and therapy.
  - Fitness reimbursement (monthly).
  - Matching gift program (2:1 up to annual max).
  - Life of Service Gifts after key anniversaries.
  - Commuter benefits (subsidized Caltrain passes, free parking). [chanzuckerberg.com](https://chanzuckerberg.com/careers/)
- **Engineering/Innovation**: Opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI and science projects; strong emphasis on systems thinking, AI-enabled tools, and intelligent automation in finance and operations roles.

## Sources
1. [chanzuckerberg.com – About & Work](https://chanzuckerberg.com/)
2. [chanzuckerberg.com – Careers & Benefits](https://chanzuckerberg.com/careers/)
3. [chanzuckerberg.com – Career Opportunities](https://chanzuckerberg.com/careers/career-opportunities/)
4. [chanzuckerberg.com – Team Work Modes](https://chanzuckerberg.com/careers/collaboration/)
5. [LinkedIn – Chan Zuckerberg Initiative](https://www.linkedin.com/company/chan-zuckerberg-initiative)

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