Responsibilities

• Proactively secure earned media placements in national, international, regional and local media markets.
• Pursue broad range of story types, including news, features, Op Eds and use of St. Jude experts for commentary. Identify appropriate media outlets for outreach based on audience, geography, special interests and other criteria matched to organizational goals
• Develop and maintain journalist contacts in print, broadcast and online media, with greatest focus on national media.
• Establish and manage internal relationships with clinical and laboratory-based investigators to assemble scientific information.
• Determine methods of communication necessary to ensure all relevant events are appropriately conveyed to media members.
• Work with faculty and administrators to identify, organize, and accurately convey information about research and medical discoveries, treatments, and programs, observing embargoes as appropriate.
• Leverage well-developed and maintained network of media contacts to ensure the best coverage for each event.
• Provide guidance, assistance, and mentoring support to less experienced colleagues on routine processes and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet the goals and objectives of the department and institution.
• Maintains regular and predictable attendance.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, English or related field required.
• 4+ years of experience in communications, journalism, English, or related field
• Previous experience working with local, regional and national media and a proven track record of placements within national outlets utilizing consumer and/or medical scientific media.
• Proven experience of integrating multimedia, social media and online media strategies in a health care or scientific setting.

Preferred

• Master's degree or PhD preferred.
• Some experience with stakeholder management preferred.
• Proven performance in earlier role/comparable role.
• Comfort with scientific concepts and research/medical language, preferred.
• Strong writing and editing skills, preferred.