GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Senior Specialist, Public & Media Relations is responsible for providing creative and innovative public relations, communications and storytelling strategies for key partners across the health system. Committed to growth; building strong, trusted relationships; and enhancing the power of the Henry Ford Health system brand, the senior specialist will develop and implement comprehensive public relations and communication plans supporting key clinical service lines and other strategic priority areas – highlighting research innovations and clinical advancements, patient and consumer feature stories, mission and community-based storytelling, and the health system’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice. An empowered project manager, subject matter expert, and passionate storyteller, the senior specialist will lead and advance strategic communications efforts across all audiences, working closely with communications, marketing and other team members and leaders to coordinate and align efforts. Additionally, the senior specialist supports the development and implementation of branding and visibility strategies for key physicians and other leaders to support system growth and brand visibility. This position reports to the Director of Public Relations & Communications Strategy. 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops and implements strategic, proactive and innovative public relations and storytelling strategies for key clinical service lines and other priority areas – promoting advancements in areas including research, clinical care, and medical education; community health and mission-based storytelling; philanthropic gifts, and the health system’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with and knowledge of mainstream and industry media outlets, actively pitches stories in support of key partners
• Creates memorable, highly engaging and informative content across all appropriate audiences and platforms including earned media, social media, web and other digital content, internal, board and community partner communications as appropriate – with a laser focus on strategic approaches, innovation and creativity
• Serves as project manager for communications workstreams across major system initiatives and storytelling efforts
• Develops and maintains trusted relationships with key internal partners – able to provide strategic support and counsel
• Coordinates, integrates and aligns messaging and approach, in close collaboration with communications and marketing team members
• Works closely with communications and other leaders to develop and track metrics for engagement from communications plans and projects
• Has comprehension of and experience with media monitoring and distribution services, or a willingness to learn
• Assists with major media and other events as needed
• May need to serve on-call after hours and weekends during active emergency management situations
• Assists with the development and implementation of key thought leadership and branding strategies for key physicians, including comprehensive promotion and visibility plans for news media appearances, speaking opportunities, op-ed and other approaches.
• Develops and implements additional news content strategies for a variety of audiences including consumers, mainstream and industry news media as needed.