[Hiring] Head of Communications & Engagement @Convergent Research

Role Description

Convergent Research now supports 13 active FROs — independent research organizations spanning neuroscience, climate, biology, and beyond — and growing. Our communications function has matured significantly: our narrative is strong, our brand is established, and our external presence has taken shape. What we need now is a communications expert who can own the function, scale it intelligently, and help the scientists building some of the world's most ambitious research organizations learn to tell their stories.

The Head of Communications & FRO Engagement leads Convergent's communications function across two interconnected responsibilities:

• Building the communications capabilities of our FRO portfolio.
• Running Convergent's own internal and digital communications.

The primary focus of this role is building and scaling communications capabilities across our FRO portfolio. You will:

• Teach FRO teams how to develop a media strategy.
• Help scientific founders understand their audiences, build their public voice, and prepare for press.
• Run workshops, coach CEOs, and connect FROs to the right resources to execute.

On the Convergent side, you'll manage the internal and owned channels and coordinate with external agencies and consultants for brand storytelling and media. You’ll ensure that things are getting shipped and keep the machine running.

We anticipate the split to be approximately 85% FRO portfolio communications; 15% Convergent communications.

We know this is a wide role. We'd rather find someone who can genuinely do both the coaching and the execution. If the balance isn't perfect, we want someone with the self-awareness to know which leg they stand on — and the resourcefulness to fill the other through consultants, vendors, or AI tools.

This role reports to the General Manager and works closely with Convergent's executive team, FRO CEOs, and a curated network of external communications vendors and consultants.

Qualifications

• A senior communications generalist with functional ownership instincts.
• A communications teacher and coach.
• PR-savvy and media-strategic.
• Operationally disciplined.
• Comfortable with complexity and multiplicity.
• A resourceful self-starter.
• Resilient and adaptable.

Requirements

• Teach FRO teams how to develop a media and communications strategy.
• Coach FRO CEOs and scientific leaders on media readiness.
• Serve as the primary communications resource for FRO teams.
• Curate and manage the external vendor and consultant network.
• Own Convergent's internal and FRO-facing communications.
• Manage Convergent's owned digital channels.
• Coordinate press and media for FRO and Convergent announcements.
• Protect the Convergent brand across the portfolio.
• Leverage AI to scale your reach.

Benefits

• A rare chance to work at the frontier of science and help shape how some of the most ambitious research organizations in the world communicate their work.
• Competitive salary with up to a 6% 401k match (base salary range: $111,000-$165,000, based on location).
• Excellent medical insurance options: 10–20 plans to choose from across major national and local carriers.
• Excellent dental and vision insurance.
• Company-paid life insurance, AD&D, long- and short-term disability insurance.
• 19 holidays (including a full week off at the end of the year).
• 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.
• 3x/year offsite team retreats and additional opportunities to meet your teammates in person.
• Support for fully remote work.

Company Description

Convergent Research is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that proudly pursues and hires a diverse workforce. We do not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal law or company policy. We strive for a healthy and safe workplace and strictly prohibit harassment of any kind.