Director, Media Relations

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Director, Media Relations

🔹 Company: Guardant Health

🔹 Location: Palo Alto, California, United States

🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid

🔹 Category: Biotechnology Research

🔹 Date Posted: May 30, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and executing media strategies to create awareness and drive demand for Guardant Health's early cancer detection product, Shield.
• Managing communications around key milestones, including important data announcements, regulatory milestones, and product launches.
• Driving day-to-day media relations, managing press outreach, responding to media inquiries, and executing proactive media campaigns.
• Serving as a strategic business partner to senior executives and cross-functional teams to ensure communications initiatives ladder up to the company and business priorities.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of scientific concepts and the ability to translate technical language into layman's terms. It also demands excellent communication skills and the ability to influence others and drive alignment across diverse cross-functional teams.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Serve as a strategic business partner to senior executives and cross-functional teams to ensure communications initiatives ladder up to the company and business priorities.

✅ Serve as an integral member of the corporate communications team developing proactive national and regional media plans as part of a broader communications strategy.

✅ Provide strategic counsel, direction, and guidance on the right forum, timing, and messaging to internal and external stakeholders.

✅ Manage communications around key milestones, including important data announcements, regulatory milestones, and product launches.

✅ Drive day-to-day media relations, managing press outreach, responding to media inquiries, and executing proactive media campaigns to increase awareness of the early cancer detection portfolio.

✅ Lead the development of communications materials including press releases, Q&As, fact sheets, videos, website content, executive talking points, and product and company milestones.

✅ Serve as a media spokesperson, build, and expand relationships with key reporters.

✅ Prepare company spokespeople for media interviews and other engagements, including training spokespeople as needed.

✅ Work closely with the digital/social media team to manage the strategy, planning, and implementation of Guardant Health's social media presence in relation to its early detection portfolio.

✅ Manage agency partners, providing teams with appropriate information and oversight to effectively implement programs.

✅ Monitor, measure, and report on the effectiveness of media coverage using data-driven insights to continuously improve media relations efforts and refine strategies.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong organizational skills, the ability to multitask, and the capacity to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, business, or a relevant field.

Experience: Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience; relevant experience at a PR agency or in-house at a healthcare, biotech, or diagnostic company preferred. Product launch experience is highly preferred.

Required Skills:

• Proven track record in developing and executing measurable, integrated external communications plans.
• Strong understanding of scientific concepts and the ability to translate technical language into layman's terms.
• Creative and solutions-oriented mentality when it comes to problem-solving.
• Highly effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to influence others and drive alignment across diverse cross-functional teams.
• Experience in creating and executing successful traditional and digital media strategies to drive positive coverage.
• Must be a self-starter with the ability to navigate, problem-solve, and execute in a fast-paced environment and simultaneously manage multiple assignments.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in the biotech or healthcare industry.
• Fluency in multiple languages.

ASSUMPTION: Given the nature of the role, candidates with experience in media relations, strategic communication, and public relations are strongly encouraged to apply.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The base salary range for this full-time position is $210,400 to $289,300. The range does not include benefits, and if applicable, bonus, commission, or equity.

Benefits:

• Guardant Health offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) matching, and paid time off.

Working Hours: This role follows a hybrid work model, with employees required to be onsite on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. The work schedule is typically 40 hours per week.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in the biotech and healthcare industries. The actual salary may vary depending on factors such as job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Guardant Health is a leading precision medicine company focused on guarding wellness and giving every person more time free from cancer. The company is transforming patient care by providing critical insights into what drives disease through its advanced blood and tissue tests, real-world data, and AI analytics.

Company Size: Guardant Health has 1,001-5,000 employees, making it a mid-sized company with a significant presence in the biotech industry.

Founded: Guardant Health was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, California.

Company Description:

• Guardant Health offers a range of tests for advanced-stage cancer patients, including Guardant360®, Guardant360® CDx, Guardant360 TissueNext®, Guardant360 Response™, and GuardantINFINITY™.
• The company's screening portfolio, including the FDA-approved Shield™ test, aims to address the needs of individuals eligible for cancer screening.
• Guardant Health is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in its hiring processes for candidates with disabilities, long-term conditions, mental health conditions, or sincerely held religious beliefs.

Company Specialties:

• Early cancer detection
• Precision medicine
• Biotechnology research
• Advanced blood and tissue tests
• Real-world data and AI analytics

Company Website: guardanthealth.com

ASSUMPTION: Guardant Health is a well-established company in the biotech industry, with a strong focus on innovation and patient care. The company's commitment to providing reasonable accommodations in its hiring processes demonstrates its dedication to fostering an inclusive work environment.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the senior management level, requiring a high degree of expertise and experience in media relations and strategic communication.

Reporting Structure: The Director, Media Relations will report directly to the Vice President of Corporate Communications and work closely with senior executives and cross-functional teams across the organization.

Work Arrangement: This role follows a hybrid work model, with employees required to be onsite on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. The work schedule is typically 40 hours per week.

Growth Opportunities:

• As Guardant Health continues to grow and expand its portfolio, there may be opportunities for the Director, Media Relations to take on additional responsibilities or move into a more senior role within the organization.
• The company's commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment provides ample opportunities for professional development and growth.

ASSUMPTION: Given the nature of the role and the company's growth trajectory, there is significant potential for career advancement and professional development within Guardant Health.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Guardant Health's headquarters is located in Palo Alto, California, with additional offices in Redwood City, California, and other locations worldwide. The company offers a hybrid work model, with employees required to be onsite on Mondays, Tursdays, and Thursdays.

Office Location(s): 3100 Hanover Street, Palo Alto, California 94304, US

Geographic Context:

• The Palo Alto office is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, providing easy access to tech industry resources, networking opportunities, and a vibrant startup ecosystem.
• The area offers a high cost of living, with median home prices exceeding $2 million and median rents exceeding $3,000 per month.
• The region is known for its mild Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters.

Work Schedule: This role follows a hybrid work model, with employees required to be onsite on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. The work schedule is typically 40 hours per week.

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work model offers employees the best of both worlds, providing the structure and collaboration of an on-site work environment while also allowing for the flexibility and independence of remote work.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Initial phone or video screen with a member of the HR team.
• In-depth phone or video interview with the hiring manager or a member of the corporate communications team.
• On-site interview with senior leadership, including the Vice President of Corporate Communications.
• Final interview with the CEO or another senior executive.

Key Assessment Areas:

• Communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Understanding of the biotech and healthcare industries, as well as Guardant Health's portfolio and mission.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple assignments simultaneously.

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in media relations, strategic communication, and public relations.
• Be prepared to discuss your understanding of the biotech and healthcare industries, as well as Guardant Health's portfolio and mission.
• Demonstrate your ability to think strategically and solve problems creatively.
• Showcase your strong communication skills, both written and verbal.

ATS Keywords: Media Relations, Strategic Communication, Public Relations, Product Launch, Biotech, Healthcare, Media Strategy, Media Planning, Media Relations, Stakeholder Engagement, Content Development, Spokesperson, Digital Media, Agency Management, Data Analysis, Team Collaboration, Problem Solving, Oral Communication, Written Communication, Interpersonal Skills

ASSUMPTION: The interview process is designed to assess the candidate's communication skills, strategic thinking, and understanding of the biotech and healthcare industries, as well as Guardant Health's portfolio and mission.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Media monitoring and analysis tools (e.g., Mention, Brand24, Critical Mention)
• Social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer, Sprout Social)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for the media relations and strategic communication industries. The specific tools used may vary depending on the company's preferences and existing infrastructure.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Patient-centric: Guardant Health is committed to improving the lives of patients by providing critical insights into what drives disease and transforming patient care.
• Innovation: The company is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in early cancer detection and precision medicine.
• Collaboration: Guardant Health fosters a culture of teamwork and collaboration, both internally and with external partners.
• Integrity: The company is committed to acting with honesty, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of its business.

Work Style:

• Guardant Health values a fast-paced, dynamic work environment that encourages employees to take initiative and drive results.
• The company fosters a culture of continuous learning and professional development.
• Guardant Health is committed to providing a flexible and inclusive work environment that supports the diverse needs of its employees.

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you share Guardant Health's commitment to improving the lives of patients and transforming patient care?
• Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment that requires strong organizational skills and the ability to multitask?
• Do you thrive in a collaborative work environment that values teamwork and innovation?

ASSUMPTION: Guardant Health's culture is characterized by its commitment to patient care, innovation, collaboration, and integrity. The company values a fast-paced, dynamic work environment that encourages employees to take initiative and drive results. Candidates who share these values and are comfortable working in a collaborative, fast-paced environment are likely to be a strong fit for the organization.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The role requires a strong understanding of scientific concepts and the ability to translate technical language into layman's terms, which may present a challenge for candidates without a background in the biotech or healthcare industries.
• The fast-paced, dynamic work environment may be overwhelming for candidates who prefer a more structured or predictable work environment.
• The hybrid work model may present challenges for candidates who prefer a fully remote or fully on-site work arrangement.
• The high cost of living in the Palo Alto area may present financial challenges for candidates who do not have established roots in the region.

ASSUMPTION: While Guardant Health offers a unique and rewarding work environment, candidates should be aware of the potential challenges associated with the role, including the need for a strong understanding of scientific concepts, the fast-paced work environment, the hybrid work model, and the high cost of living in the Palo Alto area.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to media relations roles in other industries, this role requires a strong understanding of scientific concepts and the ability to translate technical language into layman's terms.
• In the biotech and healthcare industries, media relations roles often require a high degree of expertise in strategic communication and public relations, as well as a deep understanding of the industry and its regulatory landscape.
• Career-wise, this role offers significant potential for growth and advancement within Guardant Health, as well as opportunities to transition into more senior roles within the organization or within the broader biotech and healthcare industries.

ASSUMPTION: While media relations roles may share some similarities across industries, the unique requirements and context of the biotech and healthcare industries make this role distinct. Candidates with experience in these industries or a strong understanding of their regulatory landscape and scientific concepts are likely to be the best fit for this role.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a media strategy to announce the launch of a new early cancer detection product, including securing coverage in top-tier media outlets and managing press events.
• Managing communications around a significant data announcement, including coordinating with scientific experts to ensure accurate and compelling messaging and securing coverage in relevant media outlets.
• Serving as a spokesperson for the company at industry conferences and events, representing Guardant Health's brand and mission and engaging with key stakeholders.

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and the level of expertise required for the Director, Media Relations role at Guardant Health. Candidates with experience in similar projects or a strong understanding of the media relations and strategic communication processes involved are likely to be a strong fit for this role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the company's approach to media relations and strategic communication, and how this role fits into that strategy?
• How does Guardant Health support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in the media relations and strategic communication fields?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days, and how will the role evolve over time?
• How does Guardant Health collaborate with external partners, such as agencies and consultants, to execute media relations and strategic communication initiatives?
• What are the most challenging aspects of working in media relations and strategic communication in the biotech and healthcare industries, and how does Guardant Health approach these challenges?

ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions during the interview process will help candidates better understand the role, the company's approach to media relations and strategic communication, and the opportunities for professional development and growth within Guardant Health.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the link provided.
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in media relations, strategic communication, and public relations, as well as your understanding of the biotech and healthcare industries and Guardant Health's portfolio and mission.
• Prepare for the interview process by researching Guardant Health's approach to media relations and strategic communication, as well as the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the biotech and healthcare industries.
• Follow up with the hiring manager or HR team within one week of your interview to express your continued interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications and fit for the position.

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.