Communications Specialist School of Medicine Neurology

Summary:

The purpose of thisposition is to help build and promote the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgerysreputation in its research clinical and teaching missions by providingproject management and support of public relations media relationscommunications marketing and advertising social media event promotions andbranding initiatives.

The CommunicationsSpecialist will be responsible for promoting and supporting the mission of thedepartment by effectively communicating the activities and accomplishments ofthe department. This position will develop implement and manage a strategicmarketing PR and communications plan for the department; develop a consistentand meaningful brand and message; develop and manage the departments socialmedia presence; direct and manage the content of the departments website; andserve as a resource to the departments faculty and administrators to promoteaccomplishments programs and interests.

Typical Duties

Assists in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgerys online social media presence 35

• Develops/updates the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgerys strategic social media plan to complement ongoing marketing and communications efforts prioritize and allocate social media resources grow followers increase engagement among the departments multiple constituents bolster its reputation as a leader in neuroscience research and care and support the organizational objectives and strategic vision.
• Manages a system for planning and scheduling new and existing content for the departments social media platforms. Seeks to engage and leverage external blogs and social media influencers to increase the reach of the departments communications. Contributes to routine social media postings and maintenance: posts news and poses questions screens and responds to user comments engages users in dialogue strategically friends/follows and likes other users and user postings. Regularly tracks and analyzes metrics and monitors social media trends and best practices in order to develop strategies to improve social media engagement and reach target audiences.

Develops and maintains web content 20

• Develops content for the departments website and affiliated sites interviews writes and secures approvals on content and develops or obtains appropriate artwork such as photos and videos. Maintains the departments website and affiliated sites through a content management system (CMS) to ensure they stay uptodate and accurate by editing content such as articles calendar event postings news blog entries directories photos videos and links.
  Serves as an approver of Web edits made by staffCMSeditors and maintains a Web style guide to protect brand identity and positioning and ensure quality control style and formatting consistency and factchecking across the website. Helps webmaster brainstorm and implement new ways to keep the website fresh and optimal and to increase Web visitation and user satisfaction. Assists the webmaster with the websites architecture to ensure navigation is userfriendly and content is easily found. Assists with other Web site projects such as migration to new platform/system Intranet development usability testing troubleshooting etc. as needed.

Develops and disseminates a variety of communications 20

• Writes edits and circulates articles fact sheets professional biographies brochures email announcements and other content as assigned. Designs and distributes a wide variety of promotional collateral as needed including flyers posters pamphlets and ecommunications. Coordinates the development of digital media such as videos and photos.
  
  

Provides overall administrative communication support to the department 20

• Helps with routine requests for public information and photos. Interacts with staff at a variety of levels. Supports the department with a wide variety of other projects including but not limited to event planning and other administrativerelated activities. Manages the departmental email account and helps fulfill requests answer questions and resolve reported issues. Manages the departments communications database of clinical research and administrative staff. Coordinates branding and ordering of promotional materials.

Manages Risk 5

• Demonstrates a commitment to risk assessment (considering cost benefit and impact) Helps ensure the departments image identity and branding standards are represented properly and positively at all times. Helps ensure high standards for the departments website blog and newsletter by practicing thorough proofing and copyediting of all communications prior to distribution or online posting; obtains all appropriate preapprovals. Practices routine verification of the accuracy of data. Adheres toHIPPApolicy and regulations related to patient interactions and confidentiality. Properly consents patients who agree to participate in videos and photos. Secures purchasing approval before incurring expenses utilizing the budget assigned appropriately and shrewdly.

Minimum Qualifications

• Proven experience in content development.
• Excellent writing and editing skills for social media web and print communications.
• Ability to translate complex information into common terms.
• Proven experience in online social media for business.
• Indepth experience working with web content management systems and desktop publishing / web editing tools.
• Expertise in principles of creating effective web pages and print communications.
• Basic graphic design skills and working knowledge of publication software programs such as InDesign Illustrator
• Photoshop or similar.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software and database management.
• Adherence to high standards of excellence regarding visual design attention to details and accuracy; Ability to handle many projects simultaneously to meet deadlines.
• Ability to upwardly manage approvals.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to work collaboratively with teams. Strong critical thinking/problemsolving skills.
• Ability to represent the Department of Neurology well in the community and to serve as an effective first impression of the organization.
• Two or more years professional communications experience required with preference to higher education or health care setting.
• Demonstrated experience working in andfostering an environment of respect professionalism and civility with apopulation of faculty staff and students from various backgrounds andexperiences or a commitment to do so as a staff member atVCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in communications public relations journalism marketing advertising English digital/graphic design business or related field is preferred.
• Familiarity withHTMLis a plus.
• Photography and video production experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of Associated Press writing style is a plus.

VirginiaCommonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medicalcenter located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCUssponsored research the School of Medicine is internationally recognized forpatient care and education. All fulltime university staff are eligible for ourgenerous benefits package that includes choices for health vision and dentalcoverage lifeinsurance short and longterm disability coverage retirementplanning taxdeferred annuity and cash match programs flexible spendingaccounts tuition benefits significant paidtime off 12 paid holidays andmore. Explore our benefits further here: is open until filled.

ORPEligible: No

VCUis committed to hiring veterans! VCU will include a veterans period(s) ofmilitary service in the calculation of their annual leave accrual rate. Thismay provide veterans with an increased leave accrual!

VirginiaCommonwealth University is an equal opportunity affirmative action universityproviding access to education and employment without regard to race colorreligion national origin age sex political affiliation veteran statusgenetic information sexual orientation gender identity gender expression ordisability.

Pleasenote that if you are employed as a university employee working in any of thehealth systems facilities you will need to follow VCU Health System policieswhich will include but will not be limited to vaccination requirements.

TheSchool of Medicine continuously strives for our workplace and learningenvironment to reflect the demographic and social milieu of the communities weserve. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Kelly Barnes

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority