UTHealth
Media Relations Specialist in Public Affairs (Finance)
A baby born with half a heart becomes whole. A genetic defect is caught in time to save a young man's life. A student is the first in her family to become a physician and will bring much-needed care to the rural area where she grew up. These are some of the stories that you can tell as a Media Relations Specialist at UTHealth Houston.
Are you a good writer? Can you turn scientific/medical research and news into easy-to-understand stories on deadline? Can you create a great media pitch? We are looking for a someone who will work within our Public Affairs Department to promote the heart and soul of what makes UTHealth Houston so special.
The Media Relations Specialist will foster relationships with faculty and staff as well as reporters. Excellent writing and communication skills are key. You will be joining a small, energetic team of people charged with covering six health-related schools as we tell their stories to local, state, national, and international media.
We are seeking someone who can create and execute highly effective media opportunities that support and enhance UTHealth Houston's three-part mission of education, research and patient care. A strong writing/media relations background is desired.
To be considered for the position, all candidates must provide writing samples, which can be attached and uploaded into the system through the File Attachments section. This is the same way you uploaded your resume.
Cover letters are recommended - tell us what you would bring to the role and why you want to join the UTHealth Houston team. The easiest way to attach a cover letter for this role would be the same method of how you upload a resume and the writing samples through the File Attachments section of the application.
This is a full-time position eligible for benefits. The main office is located in The Texas Medical Center, and you will need to have transportation to get to other locations on the UTHealth Houston campus and around the city as necessary. You will be covered by our health care insurance which is employer sponsored to cover all employees, and will participate in a pension plan administered by the State of Texas. This role is fulltime, salaried, and classified as exempt. Employees will work a hybrid schedule of in the office and at home alternating after a training period.
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. Identifies media opportunities, pitches story ideas and responds to breaking news media requests on a tight deadline.
4. Collaborates with faculty, staff, students, partners at teaching hospitals, and other constituents to communicate strategic news.
5. Writes social media posts relating to news releases and media story placements.
6. Posts news content to UTHealth's website.
7. Reviews inquiries from university-related promotional parties or partners for print, video, web, and audio (podcast) materials.
8. Works with internal teams on collaborative projects.
9. Tracks media relations activities and provides status reports.
10. Manages online news monitoring service and news archive.
11. Appropriately guards UTHealth's interests/reputation and patient confidentiality while respecting the public's right to know. Maintains open communications on media relations topics with senior management.
12. Staffs the media hotline.
13. Serves as a first responder on UTHealth's emergency communication team.
14. 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.
• Knowledge of Content Management System.
• Knowledge of social media writing and posting.
• Experience with online news media monitoring service preferred.
• Photography and video skills preferred.
Minimum Education:
Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communications or allied field.
Minimum Experience:
Two (2) 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 § 51.215