Details
Posted: 11-Jun-22
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Salary: 52484.38 - 112466.53
The School of Public Health (SPH) is seeking applications for a full-time 1.0 FTE Writer & News Media Strategist.
The SPH is committed to antiracism and anti-oppression in our mission and operations. In pursuit of this goal, we consider an applicant’s record working with individuals from historically marginalized backgrounds and experience identifying and eliminating systemic barriers to success in an academic environment. SPH seeks to increase the diversity of its workforce, and we particularly encourage applications from those who belong to groups that have been historically underrepresented in our discipline, including those who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color, those with disabilities, and those from LGBTQIA+ communities.
Please note: At this time, the University’s employment site is limited in how it collects applicant demographic information. Applicants are encouraged to provide their preferred name and/or pronouns within their attached application materials.
The SPH at the University of Minnesota is a top ranked institution (#11 by U.S. News & World Report) that prepares some of the most influential leaders in the field and provides the knowledge health departments, communities, and policymakers need to make the best decisions about population health.
As the SPH Writer & News Media Strategist, you will blend your writing expertise, media savvy, project management skills, and good judgment to advance the profile of the school to both internal and external audiences.
Your day-to-day work will involve writing and editing top-notch communications, profiles, feature stories, and research-related press releases for web, social media, newsletters, and news media outlets. Working under tight deadlines, you will partner closely with subject matter experts to produce error-free copy. You will work with your SPH Communications team colleagues to ensure content includes visually engaging photography or other graphics and is effectively distributed across our channels. You will also contribute to comprehensive public relations strategies by responding to media requests, building and maintaining relationships with key reporters, identifying and training spokespeople, developing media goals and reports, and assisting with other communications efforts.
As part of the SPH Communications team, this role has significant partner-facing responsibilities and requires an individual with a collaborative mindset, commitment to inclusion, and excellent interpersonal skills.
Starting salary range dependent upon selected candidates relevant qualifications and internal equity: $55,000-75,000
The University of Minnesota is driven to create a diverse workforce of the future where people are engaged, connected, thriving, and achieving. This position is based in Minneapolis on the East Bank of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. The SPH Writer & News Media Strategist may be able to work a hybrid schedule, especially if they have care responsibilities and/or disabilities, with some time in the office to demonstrate accessibility and flexibility. May be asked to work outside normal office hours to attend signature events.
Responsibilities
Writing - 50%
Write, edit, and distribute profiles, feature stories, press releases and other communications for web, social media, newsletters, and news media outlets.
Interview profilees or subject matter experts; translate subject matter into understandable language for general audiences.
Conduct research and fact-checking for SPH stories.
Partner with the SPH designer, photographer and video producer, and subject matter experts to ensure stories include visually engaging photography, graphics or other visual media.
Distribution - 20%
Create, develop, and implement measurable PR and distribution strategies, bringing into account all relevant school, University, and external partner channels (e.g., social media, blogs, websites, newsletters, marketing integration).
Media Support & Strategy - 20%
Respond and/or coordinate response to media inquiries.
Build and maintain relationships with key reporters.
Conduct media training.
Work with the SPH Communications team and UMN Public Relations to develop and implement proactive media and amplification strategies that enhance the school’s reputation and thought leadership.
Follow regional issues and coverage, particularly those with potential impact on SPH, to consider any strategic communications needs or opportunities for the school.
Work with members of the SPH Communications team to support/maintain internal processes and practices, as well as develop new approaches to improve efficiency, responsiveness and strategic public relations.
Assist with other communications efforts and strategy as needed.
Reporting - 10%
Relationships:
Member of the SPH Communications team, the central public relations, marketing, and communications department of the school
Serves as liaison with the University Public Relations media team
Develops and maintains strong, positive working relationships with members of the SPH Communications team; SPH faculty, staff, students, and leaders; and members of the University Public Relations media team
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, or Marketing with a minimum of four years of professional experience in journalism, public relations, or communications.
Demonstrated success communicating (or working) sensitively and effectively across cultures, including historically marginalized/underrepresented communities.
Proven understanding of how earned media can be applied through owned internal and external communications channels and social media for strategic amplification.
Excellent written and oral communication skills and sound news judgment are essential.
Proven experience writing press releases, profiles, and feature stories.
Demonstrated commitment to critical communications skills, including: flexibility/adaptability, active listening, an ability to understand and incorporate other perspectives, navigating sensitive or challenging conversations, etc.
Also needed are: the ability to develop and execute communications strategies, the ability to prioritize, follow through and work independently under tight deadlines.
Experience with content management systems (e.g. WordPress, Drupal, etc.) and email marketing tools (e.g. MailChimp, Marketing Cloud, etc.).
Preferred Qualifications
Ability to learn quickly, demonstrate critical thinking, and make situation-appropriate decisions using sound judgment
Ability to build rapport and credibility with individuals at all levels of an organization
Proficiency with media relations tracking software
Presentation skills
Experience as a journalist/reporter.
