Purpose:
The position manages media relations including media coaching for staff/leadership, serves as one of the primary spokespersons, provides support with social media efforts and identifies public relations opportunities to promote the organization’s mission, programs, events and activities.
Responsibilities:
Manages media relations:
- Serves as primary media contact and as one of the primary spokespersons for the organization. Maintains relationships with media in all service areas and promptly responds to media requests.
- Works with staff and department leaders to identify news and generate story ideas. Writes and distributes news releases, features and pitches designed to promote the organization’s mission, programs, events and activities and media statements to maintain a favorable public image.
- Provides training and resources as needed to prepare identified staff, leaders and volunteers to interact with the media. Provides input for media responses.
- Provides summaries of media reach for senior leadership and board members.
- Provides writing and editing assistance as requested by supervisor.
- Identifies and implements public relations opportunities involving the organization and/or its employees, volunteers, patients/clients, families and targeted organizations.
- Provides support with social media efforts for multiple accounts.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism or related field required
- At least 4-6 years’ experience in media and public relations required
- Crisis communication experience preferred
- Experience in supervising volunteers and internal processes desirable
- Extensive knowledge of television, radio and newspaper media practices. Newsroom experience highly valued
- Demonstrates excellent writing skills with a wide degree of creativity for use in a variety of formats
- Well-versed in AP Style
- Demonstrates strong communication and interviewing skills to deliver compelling messages across a variety of audiences and outlets
- Consistently exercises good judgement in addressing sensitive issues
- Demonstrates knowledge of and experience in social media practices
- Strong relationship management skills; a proven influencer
- Ability to articulate medical concepts and services at a high level
- Expertise in planning, organizing and handling multiple priorities under tight deadlines
- Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds
- Ability to work independently and as a member of a high-performing team to achieve departmental goals
- Strong keyboarding and computer skills with the ability to learn work-related software
- Ability to comply with accepted professional standards and ethical guidelines
- Must have valid driver's license, auto liability insurance and reliable transportation if driving is required
- Successful completion of pre-employment physical, drug screen, 2-step TB test and background check
Working Conditions:
- Physical requirements: Sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds occasionally, and/or a small amount of force frequently to move objects, including the human body.
- Physical activities: Reaching, Standing, Walking, Pushing, Pulling, Lifting, Talking, Fingering (picking, pinching, typing, etc.)Hearing, Grasping (applying pressure with fingers and palm),Repetitive motions, Feeling (perceiving size, shape, texture, temperature by touching),Visual acuity (field of vision for analyzing data, viewing computer, using measurement devices, operating machines, determining accuracy or neatness, and/or making general observations)
- Environment: Work is primarily performed in a climate controlled environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential
- Time: Ability to be flexible with a varying schedule and programmatic requirements
- Travel: Required between locations
These characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. You may be required to perform other duties to meet the on-going needs of the organization.
HCI Care Services and VNS of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. Employment practices are implemented without regard to race, creed, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, national origin, religion, veteran status, genetic information or on the basis of age or physical or mental disability unrelated to ability to perform the work required.