UT Health
Media Relations Specialist - Communications / Medical Center of Houston, TX (Finance)
This position for UTHealth media relations focuses on writing and pitching stories and ideas to print, broadcast and online news media. You need to be a good writer who can turn scientific and medical research and news into easy-to-understand stories on deadline. Are you able to identify the most newsworthy information from a research paper or interview? Can you summarize a news release to create an interesting media pitch?
The Media Relations Specialist will need to foster relationships with faculty and staff as well as reporters. Excellent communication skills are key. You will be joining a small, energetic team of people charged with covering six health-related schools and communicating with thousands of physicians and researchers.
Ideally we need someone who can create and execute highly effective media opportunities that support and enhance UTHealth's three-part mission of education, research and patient care. A strong writing/media relations background is a plus.
All applicants will need to provide writing samples. These can be attached and uploaded into this system as an additional document in the same way that you add your resume.
Cover letters are recommended - tell us what you bring to the role and what made you look at UTHealth.
This is a full-time position eligible for benefits. The main office is located in University Center Tower, but you will need to have transportation to get to other locations on the UTHealth campus and around the city as needed.
Position Key Accountabilities:
1. Writes news releases about medical, science discovery, dental, nursing and public health news including new and published research, innovation, education and clinical care.
2. Builds and maintains strong relationships with the media.
3. Collaborates with faculty, staff, students, partners at teaching hospitals and other constituents to communicate strategic news.
4. Identifies media opportunities, pitches stories and responds to media requests on a tight deadline.
5. Serves as a first responder on UTHealth's emergency communication team.
6. Posts news content to UTHealth's website.
7. Staffs the media hotline.
8. Tracks media relations activities and provides status reports.
9. Manages online news clipping service and news archive.
10. Appropriately guards UTHealth's interests/reputation and patient confidentiality while respecting the public's right to know.
11. Performs other duties as assigned.
Certification/Skills:
* Excellent written communication skills, including writing on deadline.
* Excellent verbal communication skills, including interviewing skills.
* Knowledge of AP Style.
* Knowledge of Microsoft Word and Outlook required.
* Knowledge of content management system preferred.
* Experience with online news media clipping service preferred.
* Photography skills preferred.
Minimum Education:
Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communications or allied field.
Minimum Experience:
Two years of experience in public relations, communications, writing/editing or related field.
Physical Requirements:
Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.
Security Sensitive:
This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code ยง 51.215