External Communications Specialist Senior

Will be responsible for executing communications strategies for one or more Advocate Health focus areas. The position will develop and execute social, earned and owned media tactics that enhance Advocate Health as a leader in the health care industry. Position focuses on identifying, cultivating and sharing compelling stories, bringing to life impactful and integrated communications campaigns from across the entire organization. This role will help support, maintain and enhance the public perception of Advocate Health by identifying and targeting key audiences through various forms of communication, in collaboration with external communications leadership.

Major Responsibilities:

Collaborate with reputation and external communications leadership to develop measurable proactive and reactive external communications tactics and execute the tactics in collaboration with the rest of the external communications team.

Collaborate with reputation and external communications leadership to recommend and execute tactics that identify and cultivate meaningful recognition opportunities that will reaffirm Advocate Health’s leadership role in areas of differentiation within the health industry, driving the influence of Advocate Health as a key national voice in the industry.

In collaboration with reputation and external communications leadership, create communications plans, often as part of integrated marketing campaigns, that support organization and business goals but also protect and enhance the reputation of the Advocate Health and related brands.

Track and provide recommendations to leadership around emerging trends, potential industry issues and/or brand reputation risks, developing reactive action plans and responses as needed.

Identify, draft and execute content creation tactics as part of approved communications plan, including but not limited to, consumer communications, news releases, pitches, blogs, opinion editorials, talking points, annual reports, thought leadership articles, etc.

Identify and cultivate critical relationships with trade reporters, key local, regional, national media outlets and influencers to facilitate relationship building resulting in positive earned media coverage.

In collaboration with reputation and external communications leadership, monitor and provide executive summaries and reports of media related to customers, competitors and the industry.

Support reputation and external communications team with priority projects, communications plans and tactics as needed based on need within the department.

In collaboration with reputation and external communications leadership, work cross-functionally to craft communications plans that influence the thinking and behavior of key audiences and thoughtfully promote Advocate Health and its family of brands.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

None Required.

Education Required:

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, advertising or other business-related field, or bachelor’s degree combined with relevant experience.

Experience Required:

5+ years of experience in Communications, Marketing, Journalism or other business-related field, including experience recommending and executing comprehensive communications strategies.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

Ability to develop communications and public relations strategies and tactics and effectively communicate recommendations to external communications leadership, under the guidance of external communications leadership

A flair for creating persuasive content and communicating effectively (and differently) depending on the medium.

Proactive, independent and takes initiative with consistent follow through. Results oriented.

Superb communication skills, verbal and written, conducted in a timely manner.

Superior time management skills, with capability of working with and meeting deadlines. Ability to handle tasks and complete work accurately and within a short timeframe.

Ability to think critically, understand complex concepts, synthesize information, create clarity to support sound decision-making.

Strategic thinker with an ability to assess complex, competitive issues and situations and to work in a team environment on initiatives that drive business results.

Thrives in a fast-paced environment, having a change mindset and comfortable navigating ambiguity.

Strong communications skills, including presentation creation and delivery, with the ability to inspire and influence others.

Excellent oral and written communications, executive presence and relationship development skills.

Manage timelines, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness of communication activities.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

Position requires some work on weekends and outside of normal business hours.

Position requires some local, regional, national and market travel.

DISCLAIMER

All responsibilities and requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

*This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only responsibilities to be performed by an employee occupying this job or position.*Employees must follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties requested by their leaders.