External Communications Specialist

Responsibilities

• Assist with the development of measurable proactive and reactive external communications tactics and execute the tactics in collaboration with the rest of the external communications team.
• Support reputation and external communications leadership in recommending and executing tactics that identify and cultivate meaningful recognition opportunities to reaffirm Advocate Health’s leadership role in areas of differentiation within the health industry, driving its influence as a key national voice.
• Collaborate with reputation and external communications leadership to create communications plans, often as part of integrated marketing campaigns, that support organization and business goals while protecting and enhancing 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 plans, including consumer communications, news releases, pitches, blogs, opinion editorials, talking points, annual reports, thought leadership articles, and more.
• Under the direction of reputation and external communications leadership, identify and cultivate critical relationships with trade reporters, key local, regional, and 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 in collaboration with reputation and external communications leadership.
• Support the reputation and external communications team with priority projects, communications plans, and tactics as needed.
• 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.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, advertising, or other business-related field, or a bachelor’s degree combined with relevant experience.
• 3+ years of experience in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or other business-related field, including experience recommending and executing comprehensive communications strategies.

Skills

• Ability to develop communications and public relations strategies and tactics and effectively communicate recommendations to 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 with superior time management skills, capable of working with and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to handle tasks accurately and complete work within short timeframes.
• Critical thinking skills to synthesize complex information and create clarity to support sound decision-making.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to work in a team environment on initiatives that drive business results.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment, embraces change, and is comfortable navigating ambiguity.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with others.
• Excellent oral and written communication and relationship development skills.
• Manage timelines to ensure 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.