Media Relations Specialist / External Communications in Public Affairs at UTHealth in Houston, Texas

Job Description:

UTHealth Houston is looking for a multifaceted external communications, media relations pro, or public relations expert who can pitch compelling stories of medical and science innovations, write articles using SEO (Search Engine Optimization), and create videos. This person is responsible for promoting the university's strategic priorities and protecting the university's brand by developing and executing media, public relations, and social media strategies to inform and engage external and internal audiences. This role is vital to the support of the university's three-part mission of education, research, and patient care. The role requires strong communication, collaboration, writing, news judgment, and creative idea skills. It also requires a person who can do multiple things, including managing content, as they approach public and media relations at many levels. We prefer candidates with a public relations background and those with video skills who can hit quick deadlines.

All candidates will need to provide writing samples, which can be attached and uploaded into the system through the File Attachments section. Submissions without writing samples will not be able to be considered for the role.

This hybrid role will be based out of our University Center Tower. You will need to be able to come to the office and cover the campus and clinics for creating content.

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas' resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That's where you come in.

Once you join us you won't want to leave. It's because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you'd expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time - all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you'll accrue!
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service)
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan!

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees' well-being is important to us. We offer work/life services such as...

• Free financial and legal counseling
• Free mental health counseling services
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
• Other employee discounts include entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
• Resources for child and elder care
• Plus, many more!

Position Key Accountabilities:

• Works with key experts on beats to identify media opportunities; creates and pitches story ideas; and responds to breaking news media requests on a tight deadline; arranges interviews with subject matter experts and media; escorts media on campus. Collaborates with faculty, staff, students, partners at teaching hospitals, and other constituents to communicate strategic news. Attends key meetings and events related to beats.
• Assists with social media strategy and execution for main university platforms; writes social media short stories and introductory copy; schedules content for social media as needed.
• Assists in creating and supplying photos and video content related to specific beats for social media, YouTube, and media requests; writes scripts as needed.
• Writes news releases and pitches about medical, scientific discovery, clinical trials, dental, nursing, public health, and bioinformatics news as applicable to beats, including new and published research, innovation, education, and clinical care; generates feature story ideas related to specific beats.
• Posts news content using the content management system to UTHealth Houston's website; posts news hits on the website; corrects broken links on website news pages.
• Tracks, clips, and tags media relations activities through the use of online news monitoring service and news archive; provides results to content experts.
• Writes content for Media Relations media hits newsletter to leadership and staff.
• Appropriately guards UTHealth Houston's interests/reputation and patient confidentiality while respecting the public's right to know.
• Staff the media hotline.
• Serves as a first responder on UTHealth Houston's emergency communications team.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

• Excellent written communication skills, including writing on deadline.
• Excellent verbal communication skills, including interviewing skills.
• Knowledge of AP Style.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word and Outlook.
• Knowledge of Content Management System.
• Knowledge of social media writing and posting.
• Ability to identify news.
• Experience with online news media monitoring service preferred.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize deadlines.
• Photography and video skills preferred.

Minimum Education:

At least a Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or allied field is required.

Minimum Experience:

At least Two (2) years of experience in public relations, communications, writing/editing, or related field is required.

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas, and be willing to work a hybrid schedule.

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