Senior Communication Specialist

University of Rochester•Rochester, NY

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Communications Specialist is a part-time strategist, subject-matter expert, lead writer, and creator of complex content for the Communications Content Hub, which plans, develops, and publishes owned-media content and earned-media publicity for internal and external audiences. Under limited supervision, the specialist develops and executes integrated communications plans with colleagues across Marketing and Web Services for clinical service lines, departments, and programs that support URochester Medicine’s vision and strategic priorities. The schedule is 20 to 32 hours per week, to be agreed upon with the selected candidate. The role develops and writes content such as online news and feature stories, magazine and newsletter articles, website copy, news releases, media alerts, video scripts, leadership announcements, infographics, and presentations. It may also produce print and online materials, edit publications, maintain editorial calendars, develop editorial guidelines, interview patients or staff, and edit content written by others. The specialist consults with faculty and organizational leaders, plans and implements communications for programs and events, and reports on progress and engagement. The specialist supports local and national publicity through media outreach, interviews, media statements, and coverage of complex stories. The role also develops communications for organizational leaders and chairs, including speeches, talking points, announcements, and memos, and contributes to team priorities and other writing or editing projects as assigned. Rotating media on-call responsibilities may involve overnight or weekend responses for approximately three to four weeks per year.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, or a related field and five years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated proficiency in writing and editing content for target audiences.
Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including comfort communicating with faculty and staff at all levels and speaking in front of groups.
Expected availability for rotating overnight or weekend media on-call duties, approximately three to four weeks per year.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of and compliance with HIPAA requirements and URochester Medicine policies for protecting patient privacy and other confidential information.
Ability to provide context for material or reshape it as needed.
Knowledge of or experience contributing to social media platforms.
Experience with HTML programming, content management systems, data analysis, metrics presentations, photo and video capture or editing, and/or graphic design.
Strong organization and project management skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

Responsibilities

Develop and write content for internal and external audiences, including news and feature stories, magazine and newsletter articles, website copy, news releases, media alerts, video scripts, leadership announcements, infographics, and presentations.
Identify content needs and independently produce work with minimal review.
Produce pamphlets, brochures, bulletins, flyers, and other materials with support from the Creative team.
Edit print and online publications to ensure content is appropriate for the readership, engaging, accurate, and delivered on deadline.
Create and publish newsletters, maintain editorial calendars, develop editorial guidelines or policies for approval, interview patients or staff, draft articles and headlines, and copy-edit others’ work.
Consult with faculty and leaders on communications and messaging, and participate in relevant meetings to understand needs and opportunities.
Develop and implement editorial communications plans for programs, initiatives, and events, coordinating with Marketing and Web teams as appropriate.
Track communications progress and engagement, and report activities and results to leadership in a consistent format and frequency.
Support local and national publicity through news releases, events, media pitches, calls, and bylined opinion pieces or feature stories.
Respond to media queries by facilitating interviews, preparing statements, answering questions, and taking part in rotating after-hours media on-call duties.
Develop and support coverage of complex stories, including media events with multiple speakers and major departmental announcements.
Provide communications planning and message development for organizational leaders and chairs, including speeches, talking points, announcements, and memos.
Coordinate with team members and the supervisor to understand communications priorities and direct work accordingly.
Attend assigned department or other meetings and assist with additional writing or editing projects as needed.