(Hybrid) Communications Specialist - WVU Cancer Institute

West Virginia University

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

As a key member of the WVU Cancer Institute’s Communications and Marketing team, this experienced communicator will be responsible for identifying, shaping and developing high-quality editorial content for Cancer Institute news, marketing, public information and corporate communications materials. This position also will work collaboratively with the WVU Health Sciences Communications and Marketing team to showcase faculty and students as it relates to cancer research and programs. This position will also provide support in writing/editing feature stories, press releases, fact sheets and web content using both print and digital storytelling. This position is responsible for collaborating with the Cancer Institute’s team to create and manage content for websites, create content for the electronic message boards/InfoStation system, provide communication support for Cancer Institute events and contribute to social media content for various social media platforms. This person will report to the director of corporate communications and public relations for the WVU Cancer Institute, work as a member of a multi-skilled team on specific projects as assigned manages the unit’s graduate assistant and student interns.
We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:
• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6%25 employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
• Wellness programs

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public relations, or related field required.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in one of the following: News, communication, marketing, advertising, or public relations program for a healthcare organization, college, news media organization, government agency, business, or other large knowledge-based organization, or interviewing, writing, editing, or media relations experience.
• Any equivalent combination and related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.
• Demonstrated excellence in writing news, feature articles and/or public relations material, including those including complex information.
• Demonstrated experience interviewing, writing, editing and public speaking skills, including ability to distill and clarify ideas under deadline pressure.
• Demonstrated knowledge of news and media relations; use of various social media platforms (Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok) as well as basic knowledge of data analytics; strong news and feature writing skills using AP Style, Chicago Style.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze media trends and create strategic media plans accordingly.
• Ability to manage online content, including web, social media and other digital platforms.
• Ability to work with statewide West Virginia, regional and national media including print, radio, television, web and social media.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a larger team, both as a project leader or team member, depending on the particular assignment.
• Skill in managing projects and identifying priorities related to the WVU Cancer Institute’s strategic plan.
• Skill and experience in identifying and relating to contemporary issues in light of accomplishments by physicians and researchers.
• Skill in identifying the correct issues to be communicated, the appropriate audience, the method and timing of communication.
• Demonstrated skill in analyzing situations and providing sound professional judgment on problems dealing with public communication and marketing.
• Demonstrated ability to deal with sensitive and sometimes confidential issues appropriately, and work as a team in a crisis.
• Demonstrated knowledge of various software programs, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe (Photoshop, Premier, InDesign, Illustrator).
• Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships.
• Skill in organizing tasks, documents and materials with efficiency and accuracy.
• Ability to meet multiple deadlines and manage priorities and projects effectively.
• Ability to work under continuous time constraints and deadlines.
• Ability to work outside the traditional workweek when needed.
• Ability to investigate and analyze information and draw conclusions.
• Ability to advise and guide other communicators in fulfilling their responsibilities in a collegial and supportive manner.
• Ability to fill in for immediate supervisor to perform various tasks when called upon, e.g. the director's absence.
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of community and diversity.
• Ability to operate the necessary computer, software, web-based and other high tech, emerging equipment and perform various communications duties using a broad range of web and publishing programs (content management systems, media monitoring/distribution systems, archival programs).
• Knowledge of a broad range of academic and institutional issues related to a major research University environment.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a key member of the Cancer Institute Communications and Marketing team, demonstrating a high level of writing, research and editing skills for an array of projects, including feature stories, bios, web/video content, social media communication, fact sheets, news releases, scripts, talking points and other communication.
• Promotes wider public recognition, awareness and support of the WVU Cancer Institute, activities and accomplishments of healthcare providers, researchers and patients.
• Assists with the development of internal communication for a broad audience to ensure the Cancer Institute team is informed about key decisions, news, activities and events.
• Works collaboratively with the Health Sciences Comm/Marketing team to develop and execute story ideas that showcase research efforts specific to the Cancer Institute.
• Proofreads and edits critical correspondence for the Cancer Institute, as assigned.
• Supports Cancer Institute faculty, healthcare providers and team members with communications and events, as well as digital and social media strategy/communication.
• Maintains regular and frequent contact with sources in the WVU Health System, clinics, departments and centers to solicit relevant information to highlight and promote Cancer Institute achievements through distribution of news releases, opinion pieces, web features and other communication vehicles. This would include soliciting and reviewing faculty research reports, grant summaries, campus documents, specialized journals and newsletters and conducting person-to-person interviews to develop written copy meeting institutional marketing and communication objectives.
• Develops multimedia content, including digital video, audio and still photography when assigned.
• Works closely with Cancer Institute colleagues and others to ensure all materials are properly branded using the WVU Medicine brand/style/trademark guidelines.
• Identifies and pursues story placement on local and national levels (as appropriate) and responds to inquiries by news media when assigned.
• Assists, as needed, with WVU Medicine and Cancer Institute event, as assigned. Facilitates production of publicity materials for events and other unit activities.
• Manages and mentors student interns/writers in developing, writing and revising content to meet deadlines. Organizes and coordinates the work of other staff and students as assigned.
• Develops and delivers trainings to WVU Cancer Institute health care experts and staff regarding communications practices and branding.
• Maintains positive relations with public, state and federal officials, as well as WVU (including HSC), WVU Medicine and constituency groups and stakeholders.

Benefits

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6%25 employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks.
• Wellness programs

What This Job Offers

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