Communications Specialist

Sutter Health•Modesto, CA

1d•$97,032 - $145,558

About The Position

The Communications Specialist helps an assigned area take a proactive, research-based approach to earning awareness, understanding, acceptance, and preference for Sutter Health. The role supports informing, influencing, and engaging key audiences through strategic communications plans and activities, online platforms, digital media, print materials, and other outreach that builds Sutter Health’s brand and reputation. The specialist carries out editorial planning, research, writing, editing, and implementation for both large-scale, long-term programs and smaller projects, while identifying opportunities to tell Sutter Health’s story through subject-matter experts and emerging media trends. Depending on the focus area, the position may support enterprise and market communications, external media relations and reputation management, strategic communications, internal and event communications, team development, or communications management and analysis. Work includes creating and distributing content across channels, supporting media and issues management, coordinating events and internal messaging, managing projects and vendors, and evaluating communications effectiveness. The role is full-time, day shift, Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend requirements and participation in a rotating after-hours and weekend media on-call schedule.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, English, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field; equivalent experience may be accepted in lieu of the degree.
Two years of recent relevant experience.
General knowledge of strategic communications planning, social networking, graphic standards and design principles, corporate identity and brand management, writing, proofreading and editing, publications development and management, photography and audio/video production, audience-list maintenance, and marketing-engagement research.
Professional writing and editing skills, including the ability to interpret corporate goals and translate them into effective communications or constituent-relations plans.
Skills in negotiation, project management, consensus building, conflict resolution, and risk management; ability to make decisions and delegate effectively.
Strong organization skills, including the ability to maintain production schedules and adhere to multiple timelines and budgets.
Current knowledge of regional, state, and national health care and medicine issues, Northern California current events, and cultural and health care trends.
Functional knowledge of selecting and hiring third-party talent for creative services, graphic design and production, publication development and management, market research, and advertising.
Competency in Microsoft Office, with advanced PowerPoint and Excel skills, and basic knowledge of HTML, Adobe Photoshop, WordPress, and SharePoint.
Ability to synthesize information and ideas into communications that create an engaging and positive audience experience.
Ability to assess and understand target audiences’ attitudes, opinions, and preferences.
Ability to adapt to evolving communications techniques, including multimedia writing, infographics, and social media.
Ability to manage, prioritize, adapt, and drive multiple projects in a changing environment while delivering quality products and services on time and on budget.
Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, with strong organizational skills.
Ability to analyze possible solutions using precedents, departmental guidelines and policies, experience, and judgment to solve standard problems.
Ability to build collaborative relationships with peers, departments, stakeholders, agencies, and vendors to achieve marketing goals and corporate objectives.

Responsibilities

Plan and implement communications projects, including scheduling, research, writing or production, editing, and distribution.
Develop and support integrated communications content across channels, including stories, articles, news releases, web content, social posts, memos, infographics, scripts, brochures, videos, and presentations.
Edit communications materials using Associated Press Style and Sutter Health’s Publication Style Guide.
Identify research and data-analysis opportunities, translate findings into messages and content, and maintain records of source interviews and approvals.
Coordinate with communications colleagues, subject-matter experts, leaders, and stakeholders to identify story topics and develop communications strategies.
Develop and implement communications strategies and tactics for community-based markets in support of Sutter Health’s mission, vision, business plans, brand awareness, and service-line strategy.
Support media relations, public relations, social media, external affairs, issues management, and market communications activities.
Monitor media coverage and public sentiment, identify potential reputation issues, and recommend or implement response strategies.
Research and write press releases, story pitches, brand-journalism content, and media statements; pitch stories and experts to media outlets.
Support interviews and public relations events, including video conferencing, phone and live interviews, and capturing photos or video for social media.
Participate in the rotating media on-call schedule, including after-hours and weekend responses to emerging events or issues.
Coordinate media training and prepare messaging documents for designated spokespeople and subject-matter experts.
Develop communications plans and materials related to workforce and labor relations, labor actions, strikes, and negotiations; monitor coverage and sentiment and recommend strategy adjustments.
Serve as a central communications contact for assigned strategic areas; develop subject-matter expertise, messaging, thought leadership, outreach, leader bylines, newsletters, and presentations.
Plan and distribute systemwide internal messages and support internal communications plans, calendars, channels, and database management.
Provide communications and project-management support for internal events, including invitations, reminders, promotional materials, event deliverables, and post-event content.
Lead or direct cross-functional teams and contribute to team mentorship, training, department operations, budget activities, and continuous improvement.
Establish and oversee content standards and ensure communications materials are accurate, timely, error-free, appropriately reviewed, and within budget.
Manage vendor, freelance, and agency relationships and support legal and crisis communications in coordination with department leadership.
Oversee quantitative and qualitative metrics and analytics to evaluate engagement, effectiveness, and performance and identify opportunities to improve communications strategies.