Senior External Communications Specialist

Role Overview

• 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.
• In collaboration with reputation and external communications leadership, create communications plans that support organization and business goals but also protect and enhance the reputation of 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.
• Monitor and provide executive summaries and reports of media related to customers, competitors and the industry.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in Communications, Marketing, Journalism or other business-related field
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, advertising or other business-related field, or bachelor’s degree combined with relevant experience.
• 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.
• Superior time management skills, with capability of working with and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to think critically, understand complex concepts, synthesize information, create clarity to support sound decision-making.
• Strong communications skills, including presentation creation and delivery, with the ability to inspire and influence others.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short
• and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program