Responsibilities

• Seek, prepare, write, review, and effectively disseminate media relations and crisis/issues management content for the hospital, OVCHA and/or the health sciences colleges, programs, and specialties through diverse media channels including print, broadcast, and multimedia.
• Function as the key point of contact for the hospital and/or health sciences colleges, facilitating external news contacts and collaborations for both current and emerging news coverage. As a vital part of the UIC’s emergency response team, contribute to communication efforts and support.
• Identify and foster relationships with local, national, and international news entities and organizational representatives, ensuring a consistent stream of positive coverage for the health science colleges and/or UI Health. Develop and maintain ongoing connections with media sources, faculty, staff, and students.
• Proactively write and pitch UIC and UI Health research, clinical stories, events, and major grants/funding; pitch and place UIC and
• UI Health experts and faculty for topical, breaking, and trending news stories.
• Respond to news media inquiries, schedule, and negotiate interviews and written content.
• Cultivate and curate an aligned and collaborative landscape of storytelling across all channels and media.
• Advise university and hospital leadership along with faculty and staff on media responses and strategies for protecting and stewarding the reputation of the institution.
• Provide crisis communications support and media training.
• In-depth ability to research and communicate complex information, such as medical research, clinical innovations, or health policy issues, to a broad audience, using knowledge of concepts within a specialized field.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Media, Public Relations, Advertising, Marketing, Science, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of professional experience in media relations, communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field, including issues management, crisis communications, and storytelling.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, and local healthcare laws and regulatory requirements, including privacy and confidentiality standards for healthcare communications.
• Strong written communication skills, including professional experience writing, editing, and proofreading content for internal, external, media, or public audiences.

Preferred

• Master's degree preferred
• Demonstrated experience identifying, developing, and prioritizing news stories; conducting interviews; and gathering information from multiple sources to produce accurate and engaging communications materials within a higher educational institution or healthcare setting.
• Experience working in highly collaborative environments requiring effective interpersonal skills, cultural awareness, and the ability to maintain positive, solution-orientated relationships.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize competing deadlines, adapt to changing priorities, and maintain a high level of accuracy, attention to detail, and quality.

Benefits

• This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.