External Communications Specialist

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Alabama, +32 more states.

📋 Description

• Develop and implement measurable proactive and reactive external communications strategies.

• Enhance and safeguard the reputations of Advocate Health and Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

• Create comprehensive communications plans that showcase research, academic medicine, clinical care, and organizational uniqueness.

• Foster relationships with faculty, researchers, clinicians, learners, and institutional partners.

• Identify research findings, upcoming publications, expert insights, and engaging narratives.

• Convert intricate scientific, medical, and organizational information into clear and accessible content.

• Craft news releases, media pitches, articles, blogs, opinion pieces, executive talking points, reports, and social media content.

• Build and maintain relationships with local, regional, and national journalists while proactively pitching newsworthy topics.

• Address media inquiries by collecting information and coordinating experts, responses, and interviews.

• Prepare leaders and subject-matter experts for interviews, offering editorial guidance and media training.

• Ensure that research communications accurately reflect findings, limitations, and implications, while adhering to embargoes, journal requirements, and review processes.

• Collaborate with communications, marketing, digital, social media, creative, and operational partners.

• Coordinate photography, video, and multimedia content.

• Monitor media coverage and emerging trends to pinpoint opportunities, issues, and reputational risks.

• Manage multiple projects, deadlines, review processes, and stakeholder relationships.

• Support the external communications leadership and broader organizational communications needs.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, advertising, or a related business field, or a bachelor's degree paired with relevant experience.

• Over 3 years of experience in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or a related business field.

• Proven experience in recommending and executing comprehensive communications strategies.

• Capability to develop communications and public relations strategies and tactics.

• Proficiency in communicating recommendations to external communications leadership.

• Skill in creating persuasive content tailored to various media formats.

• A proactive, independent, and initiative-driven approach with consistent follow-through.

• A results-oriented mindset.

• Exceptional time management and deadline management abilities.

• Capacity to work accurately within tight timeframes.

• Critical thinking skills and the ability to synthesize complex information.

• Strategic mindset with the ability to thrive in a team environment.

• Comfort in navigating ambiguity and fast-paced, dynamic environments.

• Strong interpersonal communication and collaboration skills.

• Excellent oral and written communication abilities, along with relationship-building skills.

• Proficiency in managing timelines effectively.

• Availability for some weekend and outside-normal-business-hours work.

• Willingness to travel locally, regionally, and nationally as needed.

• No relocation, sponsorship, or visa transfer options available.

🏝️ Benefits

• Eligible for benefits.

• Paid Time Off programs.

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability benefits.

• Flexible Spending Accounts for qualifying health care and dependent care expenses.

• Adoption assistance and paid parental leave.

• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer matching.

• Additional financial wellness programs.

• Educational Assistance Program.

• Premium pay such as shift and on-call pay based on the job.

• Incentive pay available for select positions.

• Opportunity for annual performance-based salary increases.

• Fully remote work arrangement available within eligible states.