Media Intelligence Specialist

About the American College of Surgeons

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) is a professional and educational organization of surgeons founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and improve the quality of care for surgical patients. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery, influencing scientific surgery in America and advocating for all surgical patients. ACS has more than 95,000 members, making it the largest organization of surgeons in the world.

Mission: Improving the care of the surgical patient and safeguarding standards of care in an optimal and ethical practice environment.

Vision: To create a healthcare landscape where surgeons thrive and every patient has access to and benefits from the highest standards of surgical care, driven by innovation, education, leadership, and trust.

About the Role

The Media Intelligence Specialist is an eager, detail‑oriented member of the Public Relations team who will monitor, analyze, and act on the media and cultural landscape in real time. The specialist continuously monitors traditional media, digital and social platforms, and emerging channels to spot trends, flag relevant coverage of ACS and the surgical field, and generate new ideas and angles to pitch. This exempt position reports to the Director, Public Relations in the Strategic Marketing and Communications Division and is based in Chicago with a hybrid work schedule.

Responsibilities

• Continuously monitor traditional media, digital, and social platforms to track emerging trends and cultural moments.
• Flag relevant and notable coverage of ACS, the surgical field, competitors, and peer associations.
• Generate fresh pitch ideas and story angles that connect ACS's programs, positions, and advocacy priorities to broader conversations.
• Create new angles to drive media coverage that supports ACS’s efforts to attract new members.
• Develop media coverage reports using monitoring and listening tools and maintain coverage trackers for the team.
• Support media pitch and campaign development by conducting research, drafting materials (pitches, media lists, briefing documents, coverage summaries), and contributing creative ideas in planning meetings and brainstorms.
• Provide research and background support on health policy and advocacy topics to help the team develop informed, timely media outreach.
• Assist with preparation and organization of materials for internal review processes, ensuring accuracy and adherence to ACS brand and messaging standards.
• Continually build knowledge of ACS's mission, programs, membership, and the broader healthcare, surgical, and health‑policy media landscape to inform thoughtful recommendations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• 0–2 years of experience in public relations, media relations, journalism, political science, or a related field; healthcare, association, or agency experience a plus but not required.
• Genuine interest in healthcare, medicine, and/or health policy.
• Active consumer of media, news, and culture with a natural instinct for what makes a good story.

Skills

• Strong writing skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Professional demeanor and effective oral and written communication.
• Ability to work both collaboratively and autonomously.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and manage time effectively.
• Resourceful, proactive, and an effective problem solver.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; comfortable learning media monitoring/listening platforms.

Benefits

• Vacation, personal, and sick hours including 13 paid holidays per year
• Tuition reimbursement
• Comprehensive medical coverage through BlueCross BlueShield
• Dental, vision, and prescription drug program
• 403(b) matching program
• Pension plan
• Flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care
• Employee assistance program
• Short‑term and long‑term disability coverage
• Life insurance
• Domestic partner coverage

Pay

The anticipated salary range for this position is $56,100 – $65,000.

Schedule

Hybrid role: three days per week in the Chicago office and two days per week remote.