Associate Communications Specialist

Vanderbilt University Medical Center • Nashville, TN

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research. Organization: Otolaryngology Job Summary: The Associate Communications Specialist supports the department’s mission by developing and executing a comprehensive communications strategy across digital, print, and promotional channels. This role creates compelling content for social media, web pages, and departmental events; designs print materials and collateral; and collaborates with faculty and staff to elevate the visibility of departmental initiatives. The ideal candidate is detail‑oriented, creative, and skilled in translating complex academic themes into engaging and accessible communications. DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: At the Vanderbilt Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, we are committed to providing and innovating treatments for the most complex diseases of the head and neck! Our providers are nationally recognized leaders in their field, and our teaching methodology seeks to avoid traditional lectures, putting emphasis, instead, on the flipped classroom. We are proud of our large cohort of residents (26) and our six fellowship training programs (9 fellows). Our decade-old Residency Leadership Training program has been noted in several high-impact journals. Our culture for training is one of "family," with easy accessibility to our stellar faculty and excellent camaraderie among us all. For more information, please visit https://www.vumc.org/ent/welcome Our professional administrative functions include critical supporting roles in information technology and informatics, finance, administration, legal and community affairs, human resources, communications and marketing, development, facilities, and many more. At our growing health system, we support each other and encourage excellence among all who are part of our workforce. High-achieving employees stay at Vanderbilt Health for professional growth, appreciation of benefits, and a sense of community and purpose. PEOPLE ARE AT THE HEART OF ALL WE DO. Our vision: The world leader in advancing personalized health. Our mission: personalizing the patient experience through our caring spirit and distinctive capabilities. Making Health Care Personal. We’re looking for like-minded individuals driven to make a difference. We invite you to explore careers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. At VUMC, we place a priority on designing with and for our patients and families. We value collaboration, embrace continuous learning and discovery, and seek to be a place where everyone has the chance to thrive. We’re the largest private employer in Middle Tennessee, with a growing team and expanding footprint in towns and communities across the region. We employ more than 28,000 people who work in inpatient and outpatient clinical care, research, and graduate medical education as well as critical supporting roles in administration, information technology and informatics, finance, legal and community affairs, communications and marketing, fund-raising, groundskeeping and facilities, and many more. Our growing health system has more than 1,700 licensed hospital beds at: Vanderbilt University Hospital Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital It’s also home to hundreds of outpatient clinic and surgical locations throughout the region. We serve our community with many unique and specialized services including the Level 1 Trauma Center, a highly experienced Transplant Center that does the most heart transplants in the world, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Lung Institute, Burn Center and many more. World-leading academic departments and centers make scientific discoveries, advance clinical care and train the next generation of health care professionals. Our robust research enterprise consistently ranks among the highest in the country as measured by peer-reviewed grant funding from the National Institutes of Health. We’re honored to be consistently considered among the nation’s best hospitals, including being nationally ranked in multiple medical specialties for treating the most complex conditions in adults and children by US News and World Report. Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt ranked as the No. 1 children’s hospital in the southeast in 2024.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s (or equivalent experience)
• Ability to work independently and overcome obstacles with minimum, guidance
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite to include PhotoShop or experience in comparable software program
• Proficiency in Canva or comparable software application

Nice To Haves

• Experience is not required but 2-3 years of experience is helpful

Responsibilities

• Digital Communications & Content Management Develop, design, and publish content for social media channels and departmental websites. Create multimedia elements including photos, videos, graphics, and infographics. Ensure all digital content follows brand, formatting, and accessibility standards. Maintain an up‑to‑date content schedule and update web pages as needed.
• Print & Promotional Material Design Design and produce print and promotional materials such as brochures, flyers, posters, event programs, and signage. Collaborate with graphic designers and creative partners to ensure visual consistency across digital and print formats. Support communication needs for events, campaigns, and departmental initiatives with high‑quality collateral.
• Writing, Editing & Research Draft clear, compelling written content reflecting departmental voice and objectives. Edit and proofread materials for accuracy, clarity, and consistency. Partner with faculty to identify stories, research topics, and communication opportunities. Create and manage a content calendar to support ongoing communication priorities.
• Event Coverage & Content Capture Attend and document major on‑site events such as lectures, graduations, and symposia. Travel to department‑sponsored educational events across the United States to gather photos, videos, and promotional content. Produce timely, engaging event summaries and media assets.
• Collaboration & Internal Engagement Participate in recurring meetings. Work collaboratively with CME, alumni teams, and broader marketing partners on joint campaigns and initiatives. Support development of long‑term communication and branding strategies.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level