Communications Specialist

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How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position. Please also include three recent writing samples (or links to them online).

Summary

Michigan Medicine's Department of Surgery is nationally recognized for excellence in patient care, education and clinical and basic science research. With seven comprehensive surgical sections, the department performs thousands of procedures each year, ranging from organ transplantation to cosmetic surgery. Further, the department is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion as a means of achieving and sustaining excellence.

The Department of Surgery is seeking an experienced, innovative, motivated, and highly creative and adaptable Communication Specialist to join our communication team. The primary function of this position will be to identify, write and disseminate compelling stories for our websites and produce visual and written content for our social media accounts (Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin). This content will highlight the diverse efforts in research, education and the clinical enterprise and support resident and faculty recruitment within the Department of Surgery. Responsibilities might also include producing podcasts.

This position will be a key member of the communication team reporting to the Department of Surgery Communication Manager and will create content to maximize the department's public position and reputation with prospective students, alumni, academic, industry and policy communities, donors, foundations, and other audiences.

The ideal candidate will have experience producing content for multiple social media platforms, is adept at writing clearly and accurately and is excited to learn new concepts and translate them to a relevant audience.

You will join a diverse workforce and a dedicated team of administrative professionals who support the faculty, trainees, and staff in various mission-dependent functions. This position will be part of a broader community of practice and work in partnership with Michigan Medicine's Department of Communication.

Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally.  Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Why Join Michigan Medicine?

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world’s most distinguished academic health systems.  In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
• 2:1 Match on retirement savings

Responsibilities*

• Write compelling content for websites, blogs, partner websites and produce visual and written content for social networks.
• Source ideas for podcasts and recruit guests to record. Edit and produce audio and work with partners in the Department of Communication to distribute them on podcast channels.
• Liaise and build long-term relationships with faculty, trainees, leadership and staff within the department and collaborative programs within Michigan Medicine to build effective methods of sourcing and distributing new content/stories.
• Generate, research, and identify ideas for stories and social media content and organize a content calendar that highlights a diverse range of education, research and clinical topics.
• Attend department events at the hospital and other areas of campus (for example Grand Rounds, educational conferences) and capture images for us on the website and on social media channels as appropriate.
• Work with communications director on concepts for social media campaigns aimed at recruitment generally, around events such as Match Day specifically, and execute them in close coordination with department stakeholders.
• Create social media content for ad-hoc announcements (promotions, appointments, awards, events) as needed and share on relevant platforms.
• Maintain branding and professional standards across communication platforms; follow best practices and guidelines for content creation and brand management and work closely with the Department of Communication to vet content as needed.
• Participate in the surgery community of practice for peer networking, opportunities for cross promotion and to identify best practices for communication projects.
• Write, edit, and coordinate content for websites, email campaigns, newsletters, event communications, presentations, and reports as needed.
• Assist with management of Department of Surgery websites, making regular content updates and partnering with the Department of Communication for new web content and website requests.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree in related field OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 3-5 years of relevant work experience in communications.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including drafting original content for blogs, newsletters, news releases, web pages, social media posts, presentations, etc.
• Experience in web strategy, content creation, analysis and maintenance.
• Demonstrated knowledge and use of current social media platforms and trends.
• Competency with capturing and editing photos and video, as well as creating graphics for social media.
• Enjoy providing exceptional customer service, including being professional, flexible, resourceful, empathetic, and positive. 
• Attention to detail, intellectual curiosity, a collaborative working style, and flexibility involving having work edited by stakeholders. 
• Excellent project management, organizational, analytical, creative, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, take the initiative, and work effectively under tight deadlines and changing project requirements. 
• Proficiency with industry-standard design concepts and software including, but not limited to, Adobe Creative Cloud including Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Canva, PowerPoint, and Google Slides.
• Strong team player, commitment to problem solving and continuous improvement.
• Ability to work well in a diverse and collaborative environment. 

Desired Qualifications*

• Familiarity with communications around basic science environments, learners, and laboratory personnel.
• Experience using Drupal or similar platforms for website management and maintenance.
• Experience with social media software, such as Sprout or Hootsuite.
• Experience with recording and producing podcasts.
• Experience using Google analytics or other reporting applications.
• Experience with email marking platforms such as Constant Contact or Mailchimp.
• Expertise in creating motion graphics and designing digital video effects in programs such as Motion, Adobe After Effects, or other graphic design software applications.

Work Schedule

M-F, 8a-5p, flexibility required depending on work needs

Additional Information

This position requires in-person work at least three days a week in our Ann-Arbor-based office. Remote working days to be agreed upon with manager. Some occasional night and weekend work is required. Must have legal authorization to work in the United States.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.