Overview

WMU Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine is seeking a Marketing and Public Relations Specialist to join the communications team. Under the direction of the Director, Communications, assists in advancing the goals, objectives, and activities of the Office of Communications. Responsible for developing and implementing the medical school’s marketing and public relations strategy. Serves as the on-site graphic designer and photographer to produce in-house fundamental marketing materials and photographic images to support the medical school brand.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement marketing, advertising, and communications strategy to support organizational objectives. 
• Graphically design, develop, produce, and distribute marketing and communications materials and other collateral.
• Capture individuals, events, and tell stories through photographic images.
• Develop and execute communication strategies to support positive perception of medical school and clinical operations.
• Provide internal and external communications, marketing, and media relations support to WMed Health, and other departments as needed.
• Research, write, edit, design, and produce clear and compelling marketing and public relations pieces for print, web, and social media.
• Develop and manage organic and paid social media campaigns on Facebook and Google to increase brand awareness of WMed Health.
• Serve as part of the WMed Health team to onboard new providers.
• Respond to online reviews and questions about WMed and WMed Health.
• Track marketing outcomes and prepare marketing reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing appropriate data.
• Ensure messaging supports the WMed brand, image, and strategies.
• Assist with writing press releases, speeches, and statements.
• Availability to work occasional overtime on weekends or evenings to complete time sensitive projects or attend special events.
• Acquires knowledge for new technology and policy/procedure revisions.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, public relations, advertising, communications, journalism, or related field. 
• A minimum of five years of professional experience and demonstrated success in marketing, public relations, advertising, or journalism. Basic understanding of graphic design and photography.
• Prior experience in an academic or healthcare setting is preferred. 
• Analytical and creative mind that will aid in identifying and capitalizing upon opportunities for furthering the medical school’s mission. 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deliver timelyresults. 

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to form and maintain positive work relationships.
• Experience in web, social media, and other electronic communications and preparing copy appropriate for all platforms.
• Ability to design basic marketing materials and other collateral according to institutional design and branding standards.
• Ability to use technical expertise, creativity, and composition skills to produce and preserve photographic images that tell a story or record an event.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, including the ability to write for a variety of audiences and communications mediums. 
• Strong understanding and experience working with media, strong news judgement.
• Demonstrates proven skills in creative storytelling and complex narrative writing and editing; ability to translate academic, medical, and technical information and tailor content to engage diverse audiences across multiple channels.
• Knowledge and proficiency in word processing and file management, Microsoft Office Suite, multimedia tools, electronic communications, and web searching, as well as other software as required by the department.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite.
• Proficiency in using Mac computers.
• Proficiency in Outlook 365 and electronic calendar. 
• Ability to plan, organize and meet competing deadlines.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and handle last minute changes in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to interpret, comprehend, and transmit complicated and detailed instructions accurately.
• Must be detail oriented with a high level of energy, integrity, and enthusiasm.
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize priorities in organization of workflow. 
• Able to perform duties independently, with a minimal need for direct supervision.

About Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed)

We are committed to excellence and health equity through transformative medical education, high-quality, patient- and family-entered care, innovative research, and community partnerships within a just culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Our vision is health equity for all in Southwest Michigan through innovation in the practice and study of medicine.

The medical school is a collaboration of Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo's two teaching health systems, Ascension Borgess and Bronson Healthcare. The medical school is a private nonprofit corporation supported by private gifts, clinical revenues, research activities, tuition, and endowment income. Building upon a $100 million foundational gift in 2011, WMed is a recipient of the Empowering Futures Gift, a philanthropic commitment of $300 million to support the mission of the medical school. WMed contributes to the economic vitality of Southwest Michigan through the services we provide as well as the creation of 1,600 new jobs and an annual estimated economic impact of $353 million in Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties.

WMed is fully accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education and the Higher Learning Commission. The medical school offers a comprehensive, innovative four-year Doctor of Medicine degree program and two Master of Science degree programs in Biomedical Sciences and Medical Engineering. We train physicians in 10 residencies and five fellowships accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. To support our educational mission, we have Joint Accreditation for interprofessional continuing education, which incorporates accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.

WMed Health is the clinical practice of the medical school with more than 300 providers offering comprehensive primary care and specialty services in several locations throughout Kalamazoo, Portage, and Battle Creek. The Department of Pathology faculty serve as the Office of the Medical Examiner for counties throughout Michigan and northern Indiana.

The W.E. Upjohn M.D. Campus located in downtown Kalamazoo serves as the primary educational facility with faculty and administrative offices, student study and social spaces, team-based learning halls, a state-of-the-art Simulation Center accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, basic science research labs, as well as toxicology and forensic pathology labs.

WMed is building upon Kalamazoo’s century-long foundation of drug discovery and medical device development with a strategic investment in clinical, laboratory, community, and educational research. The Center for Immunobiology, Center for Clinical Research, Research Histology Lab, Innovation Center, and Human Research Protection Program contribute to the medical school’s advancement of knowledge through innovation and discovery. 

Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer of females, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans, and actively strives to increase diversity within its community. We provide a drug- and tobacco-free workplace. 

EEO Minorities/Women/Disabled/Protected Veterans