Communications and PR Lead

What we do

As the first company from Europe’s leading AI venture studio Merantix, Vara has grown since 2018 to become a 50-member international team. Our diverse team consists of highly motivated and ambitious entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, and technology experts. Further information can be found on our website:
Your role

We’re hiring Vara’s first Public Relations Lead to own and expand our media outreach and press strategy in our operating markers - Germany, India, Egypt and Mexico.

In this role, you’ll lead our communication strategies, shape how we share our vision of every deadly breast cancer detected early with the world. You'll develop and manage our public relations campaigns and forge relationships with media outlets spanning health, lifestyle, technology. You’ll report to our Head of Marketing, collaborating closely with our CEO and wider marketing, sales, ops, and tech teams. The role is remote first, with the 5 days a month in our Berlin office alongside the rest of the team.

We’re a lean team and this role will suit someone who likes to roll their sleeves and get stuck in. You are resourceful to find your way around problems and engage the media in proactive pitches.

**Responsibilities**:

- Lead PR initiatives, setting strategic direction for the company.
- Manage media relations, including crafting press releases, pitching stories, nurturing media contacts and arranging press trips.
- Work with our marketing, partnerships and content team to maintain a calendar and ideate cross-channel promotions based on business news, PR opportunities, lifestyle trends and health news.
- Source speaking opportunities and provide PR guidance and training to team members and spokespeople.
- Produce internal and external communications materials including communications plans, messaging, talking points, news releases, social media content, and facts sheets
- Monitor and respond to inbound press inquiries, alerts and #journorequests in a timely manner to secure coverage.
- Monitor and report on the effectiveness of PR campaigns and strategies.

**Profile**:
**You have**:

- 5-7 years of experience in public relations and communications. Ideally in a healthcare related role at an agency or in-house.
- A portfolio of work in health PR and strong media relationships.
- Thought leadership and communications experience to reach policymakers, HCPs.
- Persuasive Writing and Media Relations skills with the ability to translate complex issues into communications for multiple audiences.
- Ability to work autonomously and as part of a collaborative team across geographies.
- English fluency. German and Arabic speaking/writing skills are not mandatory but good to have.

**Nice to have**:

- Experience hiring or working with agencies, freelancer writers.
- International Collaboration Experience.

**IMPORTANT**: Please include a short cover letter detailing your experience, fit and motivation for the role. Links to your portfolio will be helpful but not necessary. We are more interested in your cover letter than your CV.

What we offer
- Work flexibly

In-office? From home? Somewhere in between? Whatever you prefer.
- Team Culture

We host regular team nights and events to foster company culture and cohesion.
- Connect at our AI Campus

Meet some truly exceptional humans at the AI campus — home to countless inspiring startups, events, and opportunities to broaden your horizons.
- Competitive salary

We regularly benchmark salaries within the tech and healthcare industry.
- Develop your career

Dedicate yourself to impactful projects and have regular, meaningful career development sessions with your manager.