External Communications Specialist

Department: 11593 Enterprise Corporate - Communications

Status:

Benefits Eligible:

Hou rs Per Week:

Schedule Details/Additional Information:

• Fully Remote Role from these states: AL, AK, AR, AZ, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, LA, KS, KY, ME, MI, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WV, WY.
• Preference would be for the candidate to be in our footprint, WI, IL, NC, SC, GA or AL
• Due to complex requirements, remote work is NOT permitted for short or long periods in: CA, CO, CT, HI, MA, MD, MN, NJ, NY, OR, RI, VT, WA and working Internationally (this includes working while on vacation).
• No relocation, No Sponsorship or transfer of visa for this position now or in the future.

Pay Range:

The External Communications Specialist develops and executes proactive and reactive communications strategies that advance the reputations of Advocate Health and Wake Forest University School of Medicine. With a primary focus on academic and research communications, the position identifies compelling stories, translates complex scientific and medical information into clear and engaging content, and develops earned, owned and social media tactics for key external audiences. The specialist collaborates with faculty, researchers, clinicians, learners and communications partners to elevate institutional excellence in research, academic medicine, medical education and clinical care while supporting broader organizational priorities.

Major Responsibilities:

• Develops and executes measurable proactive and reactive external communications strategies that advance organizational priorities and protect and enhance the reputations of Advocate Health and Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

• Creates communications strategies and integrated plans that elevate institutional excellence in research, academic medicine, clinical care and other areas of differentiation.

• Builds relationships with faculty, researchers, clinicians, learners and institutional partners to identify significant research findings, forthcoming publications, expert perspectives and compelling stories.

• Translates complex scientific, medical and organizational information into accurate, accessible and engaging content tailored to media, consumers and other external audiences.

• Develops content for earned, owned and social media channels, including news releases, media pitches, articles, blogs, opinion pieces, executive talking points, reports and social media content.

• Cultivates relationships with local, regional and national health, science, academic medicine and industry journalists and proactively pitches faculty experts, research findings, institutional initiatives, patient stories and other newsworthy topics.

• Responds to media inquiries by gathering information, identifying appropriate subject-matter experts and coordinating timely, accurate responses and interviews in collaboration with external communications leadership and organizational partners.

• Provides interview preparation, editorial guidance and media training to organizational leaders, faculty and other subject-matter experts.

• Collaborates with researchers and institutional partners to ensure communications accurately represent study findings, limitations and potential implications while adhering to publication embargoes, journal requirements and organizational review processes.

• Collaborates cross-functionally with communications, marketing, digital, social media, creative and operational partners to execute coordinated campaigns and maintain consistent messaging across channels.

• Coordinates photography, video and other multimedia content needed to support external communications strategies and storytelling.

• Monitors media coverage and emerging trends in research, health care, academic medicine and the broader media environment to identify communications opportunities, potential issues and reputational risks.

• Manages multiple projects, deadlines, review processes and stakeholder relationships, ensuring communications activities are completed accurately, efficiently and on schedule.

• Supports external communications leadership and the broader team with priority projects and communications needs across the organization.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• None Required.

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, advertising or other business-related field, or bachelor’s degree combined with relevant experience.

Experience Required:

• 3+ years of experience in Communications, Marketing, Journalism or other business-related field, including experience recommending and executing comprehensive communications strategies.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Ability to develop communications and public relations strategies and tactics and effectively communicate recommendations to external communications leadership, under the guidance of external communications leadership

• A flair for creating persuasive content and communicating effectively (and differently) depending on the medium.

• Proactive, independent and takes initiative with consistent follow through. Results oriented.

• Superior time management skills, with capability of working with and meeting deadlines. Ability to handle tasks and complete work accurately and within a short timeframe.

• Ability to think critically, seek understanding of complex concepts, work to synthesize information, and create clarity to support sound decision-making.

• Strategic thinker with ability to work in a team environment on initiatives that drive business results.

• Thrives in a fast-paced environment, having a change mindset and comfortable navigating ambiguity.

• Strong interpersonal communications skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with others.

• Excellent oral and written communications and relationship development skills.

• Manage timelines, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness of communication activities.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Position requires some work on weekends and outside of normal business hours.

• Position requires some local, regional, national and market travel.

Our Commitment to You:

Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including:

Compensation

• Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training

• Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job

• Incentive pay for select positions

• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits and more

• Paid Time Off programs

• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability

• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses

• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave

• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs

• Educational Assistance Program

Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview.

About Advocate Health

Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.