Senior Manager Science Research and Foundation Communications
Milwaukee, WI (Hybrid)
Posted 3 months ago
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Job Description
Overview
Versiti is a fusion of donors, scientific curiosity, and precision medicine that recognize the gifts of blood and life are precious. We are home to the world-renowned Blood Research Institute, we enable life saving gifts from our donors, and provide the science behind the medicine through our diagnostic laboratories. Versiti brings together outstanding minds with unparalleled experience in transfusion medicine, transplantation, stem cells and cellular therapies, oncology and genomics, diagnostic lab services, and medical and scientific expertise. This combination of skill and knowledge results in improved patient outcomes, higher quality services and reduced cost of care for hospitals, blood centers, hospital systems, research and educational institutions, and other health care providers. At Versiti, we are passionate about improving the lives of patients and helping our healthcare partners thrive.
Position Summary
The Senior Communications Manager for Research, Science, and the Foundation manages public-facing communications to drive awareness, engagement, and support for research and philanthropic initiatives. Reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer, this role executes a cohesive external communications plan that amplifies the groundbreaking work of the Versiti Blood Research Institute (VBRI), the legacy work of Versiti Diagnostic Labs, MSI, and Versiti Clinical Trials, and the philanthropic impact of the Versiti Foundation. This position manages communications strategies, implements day-to-day messaging initiatives, and ensures alignment with organizational objectives. It focuses on stakeholder relations, corporate communications, and donor-focused messaging, helping to support a unified and compelling VBRI/Foundation voice. The Senior Communications Manager uses storytelling to inspire action and elevates the profile of Versiti locally and nationally.
Total Rewards Package
BenefitsVersiti provides a comprehensive benefits package based on your job classification. Full-time regular employes are eligible for Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans, Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays, Short- and Long-term disability, life insurance, 7% match dollar for dollar 401(k), voluntary programs, discount programs, others.
Responsibilities
- Strategic Communications (30%) Execute an integrated communications plan that drives awareness of VBRI and strengthens its brand across all channels: paid, earned, and owned. Develop and implement communications frameworks for VBRI and Foundation initiatives, including scientific breakthroughs and philanthropic campaigns. Draft and edit content, press releases, talking points, and other communications materials to reflect the mission and impact of VBRI and the Foundation.
- Donor Communications (20%) Develop messaging, newsletters, and campaign communications to engage individual and institutional donors. Support Foundation fundraising initiatives through targeted storytelling, highlighting donor impact and research outcomes. Coordinate with internal teams to ensure donor communications align with broader VBRI and organizational messaging.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Storytelling (15%) Partner with researchers, clinicians, donors, and leadership to identify and craft compelling stories that illustrate the impact of VBRI and Foundation work. Develop audience-specific messaging for donors, corporate partners, and the scientific community. Support internal alignment by coordinating messaging with key stakeholders across the organization.
- Digital and Social Media Content (15%) Craft digital content that supports VBRI and Foundation messaging, including social media, web content, and multimedia storytelling. Collaborate with PR, marketing, and creative teams to develop integrated campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences.
- Event Communications Support (10%) Support communication planning for fundraising events, scientific conferences, and community outreach programs. Develop event messaging, promotional materials, and post-event communications to maximize engagement and donor participation.
- Data-Driven Engagement and Metrics (5%) Establish KPIs to measure the effectiveness of communications strategies and provide actionable insights to senior leadership. Monitor analytics to refine messaging, enhance stakeholder engagement, and maximize campaign outcomes.
- Team Collaboration and Support (5%) Work collaboratively within the integrated communications team, supporting project execution and cross-functional initiatives. Provide mentorship and guidance to direct reports, including clear task delegation and feedback to support professional development. Contribute to a culture of collaboration, diversity of thought, and high performance within the communications team.
- Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification
- Understands and performs in accordance with all applicable regulatory and compliance requirements
- Complies with all standard operating policies and procedures
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's Degree Communications, public relations, journalism, marketing or related field required
- Master's Degree Communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field. preferred
Experience
- 7-9 years Progressive experience in communications or marketing, preferably within a nonprofit, healthcare, or higher education/academic environment required
- 4-6 years Demonstrated success in public relations, media relations, and social media management required
- 4-6 years Demonstrated success in supporting donor communications and philanthropic campaigns preferred
- 4-6 years Demonstrated success in strategic communications across media, public relations, social media and corporate campaigns required
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Strong portfolio highlighting expertise in strategic communications across a variety of media, social media, PR, and corporate communications campaign management required
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate strategic concepts and creative ideas to diverse audiences required
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects effectively required
- Strategic and executional prowess with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset required
- Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment while maintaining accountability and ownership required
- Passion for storytelling, understanding donor motivation and behavior, and awareness of trends in communications and philanthropy required
- Collaborative, positive, proactive attitude with a commitment to fostering a high performing team culture required
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Based in Columbus, Versiti Blood Center of Ohio provides blood, blood products, and specialty laboratory services to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
