Job Description
The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission.
At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.
Here is what we offer:
- Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
- Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
- Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match
- Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
- Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture
Join Howard University and thrive with us!
https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness
BASIC FUNCTION:
At the Center for Medical Humanities and Health Justice (MHHJ), we aim to shape the future of medical humanities by providing a model for leveraging holistic and analytic approaches to advance health justice. We believe in the power of medical humanities to identify health patterns, enhance healthcare practices, and improve outcomes, ultimately making a positive impact on people’s lives. A joint initiative between Georgetown and Howard Universities, MHHJ fosters learning, research, and public engagement at the intersection of humanities and healthcare in Washington, DC. Working with and reporting directly to the Chief of Staff and Executive Directors, the Communications Specialist for MHHJ will implement media communications projects–including supporting content creation, setup, and editing across all platforms–that support and advance the Center’s mission and vision.
SUPERVISORY ACCOUNTABILITY:
No Supervisory responsibility
NATURE AND SCOPE:
The specialist will also monitor and enhance performance across all content channels in ways that elevate the Center’s reputation, performance, and connections with the communities the Center serves. The specialist will be responsible for internal (within both universities and center staff, faculty, and fellows) and external communications and will serve as the press contact. The specialist will also serve as a liaison with and work in close partnership with Georgetown and Howard’s communication offices.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- The specialist will draft speeches, media posts, and other organizational statements as needed and develop and maintain communications tools for the Center.
- The specialist will be someone who has a deep understanding of and commitment to medical humanities and health justice, with demonstrated experience leading communications strategy for a mission-driven organization.
- The ideal candidate will be a seasoned communications generalist with skills in executing as well as leading teams to execute communications projects. Delivering communications that convey a sense of care, clarity, consistency, and partnership will be critical for the success of this role.
- Partners with executive leadership to develop and implement strategic communication strategies, report regularly on communication progress.
- Coordinate creative services for communications materials, including managing work plans, providing feedback, and leading communications meetings as needed.
- Develops and implements internal communication strategies that improve performance, connect employees, and reinforce our mission, vision, values, and culture.
- Develops and implements external communication strategies that expand brand awareness and elevate the Center and its leaders.
- Implement a modern, dependable communications infrastructure that reduces low-level administrative burden on communicators.
- Project manages communication campaigns to ensure timely, successful completion.
- Develops content tailored to the specific medium and audience requirements across written, visual, interactive, and auditory format.
- Analyzes communications performance, report regularly on status and continuously improve strategy, channels, content, and tactics.
- Proactively seeks out and promotes innovative and creative approaches to communication.
- Collaborates with internal stakeholders to help define communications needs and preferences.
- Establishes a cohort of media-trained Center faculty and fellows for media placements.
- Effectively collaborates with external communications teams to identify, pursue, and place key earned media content.
- other duties performed as needed.
Thought Leadership Support
- Provide thought leadership support to the executive leadership team, including crafting communications and PR materials and strategy to build knowledge in medical humanities and health justice, create value for the Center, and demonstrate Center’s expertise.
- Draft scripts, speeches, social media posts/toolkits copy, and organizational statements for and in partnership with leadership to ensure consistency in messaging.
Public Relations/External Affairs
- Serve as press contact and draft press materials, including media advisories, press releases, talking points, letters to the editor, and other communications priorities.
- Conduct regular media monitoring.
- Develop, update, and manage inventory of internal and external communications tools and platforms across at Center platforms.
CORE COMPETENCIES:
- Superior communicator and strategist with an affinity for tools and communications technology, including identifying latest trends and developments
- Ability to communicate with digital images as well as words
- Ability to bring fresh perspective to existing processes or materials
- Knowledge of and connections to the regional media landscape
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in Communications, Public Affairs, journalism, or related field (5+ years relevant experience beyond the required years of experience can be substituted in lieu of a bachelor’s degree). Experience with media training. Experience with medical humanities and/or health justice equity care (helpful but not required).
Compliance Salary Range Disclosure
$39.00 Per Hour
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