Senior Communications Associate

View as a webpage: http://www.institute2000.org/2013/10/31/senior-communications-associate/

 

The Senior Communications Associate will assist the director of development and communications in developing and executing a strategic communications plan for the Institute for Family Health, a network of community health centers with a mission to promote affordable health care and healthy communities.

·       Implement strategies to raise the public profile of the Institute for Family Health, and promote its activities, accomplishments and goals to key internal and external audiences:

o   Develop and maintain relationships with journalists and thought leaders in the fields of health care and public health, and those focused on the communities served by the Institute;

o   Monitor relevant news outlets and industry trends to ensure relevancy of the Institute’s communications activities, identify opportunities to raise the organization’s profile, and advance programmatic goals;

o   Research, write, edit and distribute media pitches, advisories and press releases;

o   Coordinate responses to media inquiries, as well as occasional site visits for press, funders, major donors, and industry and government leaders;

·       Collaborate with the organization’s clinical and program leaders to creatively document key activities, accomplishments, and needs:

o   Research, write and edit content for distribution across multiple platforms, including the Institute’s public website and social media feeds, relevant external websites, print and digital educational and marketing  materials, and reports/whitepapers for the Institute’s Board, executive management team, and fundraising staff;

o   Develop strategic messaging and persuasive content targeted at engaging major donors and increasing unrestricted giving to the organization;

·       Enhance internal systems and infrastructure to assure efficiency and effectiveness of all strategic communications activities:

o   Develop the Institute’s speakers' bureau through researching and calendaring of opportunities; providing training and technical assistance to speakers; promoting speakers to media outlets and scheduling speaker engagements;

o   Other capacity-building activities as needed.

 

Requirements

·       Bachelor’s degree required, preferably with a major in journalism, communications, or public relations; master's degree preferred;

·       Minimum three years relevant work experience in journalism, media relations, general communications, or the equivalent; some public health or health care experience preferred;

·       Demonstrated experience in media planning and media outreach;

·       Position is based in Manhattan, however, candidates must be willing to work 1-3 days per month at our upstate campus, with locations in Kingston, New Paltz, Poughkeepsie and nearby cities and towns; travel costs are reimbursable.

 

Skills

·       Superior writing and editing skills; able to produce clear, compelling, well-organized written materials in a fast-paced environment;

·       Ability to work independently and take initiative, as well as work as part of a team;

·       Good judgment; comfortable speaking in public and representing the Institute for Family Health to media and other audiences;

·       Strong analytic abilities; interest and ability to quickly digest complex information; comfortable working with new “content areas” on a regular basis;

·       Solid understanding of media planning and strategic communications; familiarity with New York City and State media outlets a plus;

·       Solid organizational skills and attention to detail;

·       Solid knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.

Please email a cover letter with salary requirements, a resume and three writing samples to [log in to unmask].