GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Senior Specialist, Public & Media Relations is responsible for providing creative and innovative public relations, communications and storytelling strategies for key partners across the health system. Committed to growth; building strong, trusted relationships; and enhancing the power of the Henry Ford Health system brand, the senior specialist will develop and implement comprehensive public relations and communication plans supporting key clinical service lines and other strategic priority areas – highlighting research innovations and clinical advancements, patient and consumer feature stories, mission and community-based storytelling, and the health system’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice. An empowered project manager, subject matter expert, and passionate storyteller, the senior specialist will lead and advance strategic communications efforts across all audiences, working closely with communications, marketing and other team members and leaders to coordinate and align efforts. Additionally, the senior specialist supports the development and implementation of branding and visibility strategies for key physicians and other leaders to support system growth and brand visibility. This position reports to the Director of Public Relations & Communications Strategy.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops and implements strategic, proactive and innovative public relations and storytelling strategies for key clinical service lines and other priority areas – promoting advancements in areas including research, clinical care, and medical education; community health and mission-based storytelling; philanthropic gifts, and the health system’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice.

• Builds and maintains strong relationships with and knowledge of mainstream and industry media outlets, actively pitches stories in support of key partners

• Creates memorable, highly engaging and informative content across all appropriate audiences and platforms including earned media, social media, web and other digital content, internal, board and community partner communications as appropriate – with a laser focus on strategic approaches, innovation and creativity

• Serves as project manager for communications workstreams across major system initiatives and storytelling efforts

• Develops and maintains trusted relationships with key internal partners – able to provide strategic support and counsel

• Coordinates, integrates and aligns messaging and approach, in close collaboration with communications and marketing team members

• Works closely with communications and other leaders to develop and track metrics for engagement from communications plans and projects

• Has comprehension of and experience with media monitoring and distribution services, or a willingness to learn

• Assists with major media and other events as needed

• May need to serve on-call after hours and weekends during active emergency management situations

• Assists with the development and implementation of key thought leadership and branding strategies for key physicians, including comprehensive promotion and visibility plans for news media appearances, speaking opportunities, op-ed and other approaches.

• Develops and implements additional news content strategies for a variety of audiences including consumers, mainstream and industry news media as needed.

  EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Minimum of Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university in Public Relations, Communications or a related field – or equivalent.

• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in public relations, communications, or a related field, with increasing responsibility.

• Exceptional oral, written and digital communication skills.

• Excellent people skills – works extremely well with a broad cross-section of leaders

• Must be a critical thinker, able to distill and communication complex medical and other concepts across broad audiences

• Must be guided by a passion for storytelling, natural curiosity and a collaborative “client partner” orientation.

• Able to manage multiple projects, accounts and complex issues with an orientation to strategic focus, innovation, creativity and attention to detail and accuracy.

Additional Information

• Organization: Corporate Services

• Department: Public Relations

• Shift: Day Job

• Union Code: Not Applicable

  Additional Details

  This posting represents the major duties, responsibilities, and authorities of this job, and is not intended to be a complete list of all tasks and functions. It should be understood, therefore, that incumbents may be asked to perform job-related duties beyond those explicitly described above.

Overview

Henry Ford Health partners with millions of people on their health journey, across Michigan and around the world. We offer a full continuum of services – from primary and preventative care to complex and specialty care, health insurance, a full suite of home health offerings, virtual care, pharmacy, eye care and other health care retail. With former Ascension southeast Michigan and Flint region locations now part of our team, Henry Ford’s care is available in 13 hospitals and hundreds of ambulatory care locations. Based in Detroit, Henry Ford is one of the nation’s most respected academic medical centers and is leading the Future of Health: Detroit, a $3 billion investment anchored by a reimagined Henry Ford academic healthcare campus. Learn more at henryford.com/careers .

Benefits

The health and overall well-being of our team members is our priority. That’s why we offer support in the various components of our team’s well-being: physical, emotional, social, financial and spiritual. Our Total Rewards program includes competitive health plan options, with three consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs), a PPO plan and an HMO plan. Our team members enjoy a number of additional benefits, ranging from dental and eye care coverage to tuition assistance, family forming benefits, discounts to dozens of businesses and more. Employees classified as contingent status are not eligible for benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer Henry Ford Health is committed to the hiring, advancement and fair treatment of all individuals without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, size, height, weight, marital status, family status, gender identity, sexual orientation, and genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.