"Communications Officer, YCC Media Relations & Audience Development"

Overview

Reporting to the Director of Media Relations and Audience Development, this role will be responsible for the development and execution of a media relations strategy that elevates and enhances the reputation of the Yale Cancer Center (YCC) and Smilow Cancer Hospital (SCH). The successful candidate will also produce the weekly Yale Cancer Answers radio show and podcast. Additionally, the communications officer will work to elevate the reputation of Yale Cancer Center and highlight the expertise of its leadership nationally.

Essential Duties

1. Cultivate relationships with journalists and secure placements within local, national, and international consumer and trade media outlets. Maintain regular contact and develop a vast network of media contacts to further brand awareness and share of voice.
2. Attend cancer conferences and national meetings in person, as needed, representing Yale Cancer Center on-the-ground in the media room and networking with journalists to get coverage for our faculty.
3. Develop a close working relationship with faculty as well as colleagues in marketing and media relations at the Yale New Haven Health System, Yale Medicine, and Yale University. Collaborate with media colleagues on pitching and messaging (as needed), effectively utilizing this network to increase media visibility.
4. Expand opportunities for audience development, including content partnerships, syndication, and engagement with professional associations, such as with the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Cancer Society, to promote awareness of YSM faculty research in key areas.
5. Communicate with the social media specialist to ensure that key media placements are shared through relevant channels to maximize shares, likes, and reach.
6. Network within the institution to efficiently highlight YCC and SCH experts’ research and prominence within the medical field.
7. Attend weekly YCC grand rounds to network with faculty and gain knowledge.
8. Cultivate relationships with media entities at oncologic professional organizations and trade outlets.
9. Maximize breaking news opportunities, which can occasionally occur off-hours and on weekends.
10. Track, analyze, and share press coverage through our internal systems and provide dashboard reports monthly or as needed.
11. Provide video reels on an as-needed basis.
12. Coordinate all consents for patient media interviews, always protecting our patients’ protected heath information and needs first.
13. Accompany all media and documentary filmmakers during on-site interviews to ensure privacy of our patients in clinical areas and protection of data in research labs. Accompany faculty to studio interviews as needed.
14. Continuously monitor brand reputation for YCC and SCH and ensure proper brand identity in media placements.
15. Work with Yale Medicine and Yale School of Medicine on established and future collaborative partnership efforts that strengthen brand reputation and strategically advance audience development.
16. Collaborate well with YNHH colleagues at the various Smilow Cancer Hospital Care Centers across the state to maximize coverage.
17. Consistently brand monitor media mentions for YCC and SCH.
18. Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey complex information to diverse audiences.
2. Strong media relations expertise, including managing inquiries, building relationships, and crafting effective press materials.
3. Demonstrated experience in crisis communications, including the ability to work under pressure and make decisions in fast-paced environments.
4. Production-related experience in producing quality broadcasts or podcasts.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. 10 years of experience in media relations and writing
2. Science and/or healthcare experience

Principal Responsibilities

1. Manages relationships with external media sources. Pursues media coverage creatively and aggressively. Responds to inquiries from national and international news media, student media, the University community and the general public.
2. Enhances the overall quality of media relations for key stakeholders by preparing them for media interviews. Manages relationships with key campus stakeholders with a high degree of professionalism, judgment and understanding of stakeholder goals.
3. Creates compelling story ideas and narratives; produces content for both external and internal channels; writes copy and social media posts and manages content.
4. Plans social media strategies for key University communications and programs. Monitors University social media assets for negative comments or misinformation.
5. Supports short- and long-term communication planning with insights into audiences, channels and culture; coordinates with other communications professionals to achieve institutional goals; leads the communications process within developed standards and protocols.
6. Supports effective response strategies, often in crisis situations requiring 24/7 attention and intense media/public scrutiny, and articulates the University’s position via personal interviews or written responses.
7. Produces multimedia content and manages the work of graphic and web designers, student interns, printers, video producers and photographers.
8. Manages communication plans for all stakeholders by understanding the significance of campus initiatives and/or academic work; creates compelling stories and messages to translate the significance through language that is clear and accessible for public awareness.
9. Develops and maintains regular contact with media representatives in multiple disciplines.
10. Maintains the Yale brand and graphic identity standards; supports and maintains standard operating procedures; contributes to digital asset management.
11. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications or related field and five years of experience in public relations, journalism, television, corporate communications or agency work or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated experience in developing communications for a range of media and working with creative professionals in design, photography or video.

Salary Range

$68,000.00 - $120,500.00

Location

50 Division Street, New Haven, Connecticut