Communications Specialist

We are so glad you are interested in joining Sutter Health!

Organization:

SHSO-Sutter Health System Office-Valley

Position Overview:

Helps the assigned area take a proactive, research-based approach to earning awareness, understanding, acceptance and/or preference for Sutter Health. Assists in effectively informing, influencing, and engaging key audiences through high-quality strategic communications plans and activities, online platforms, digital media, print materials and other outreach strategies that build Sutter Health’s brand and reputation. Implements all phases of editorial planning, research, writing, editing and implementation for long-term and large-scale programs, as well as smaller projects. Seeks new opportunities to tell the Sutter Health story - continually engaging with subject-matter experts and exploring emerging print, online and digital media trends to identify, plan and implement creative strategies.

Job Description:

These Principal Accountabilities, Requirements and Qualifications are not exhaustive, but are merely the most descriptive of the current job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, staff changes, workload, or technical development).

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES:

COMMUNICATIONS PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION.

• Provides proactive support and offers engaging solutions that enables the department and its stakeholders to successfully achieve their communication initiatives, campaigns, and strategies.
• Implements all phases of long- and short-term projects, including planning, scheduling, research, writing or production, editing, and distribution or implementation.
• Partners with communications colleagues to support an integrated, systemwide approach to news and information gathering and crafting high quality, engaging content, including, but not limited to, stories, articles, news releases, web material, social posts, memos or letters, infographics, scripts, brochures, videos and presentations.
• Integrates a strong strategic communications and writing background, as well as knowledge of Associated Press Style and Sutter Health “Publication Style Guide” to edit the work of others in the department.
• Identifies and commissions internal data research and/or analyses to validate assumptions or to identify project or story opportunities; and then translates the data into key messages, internal stories/news content, external news releases or other types of content.
• Coordinates with communications colleagues and subject matter experts to identify strategic and compelling story topics and sources, including using research insights to recommend and implement creative or strategic advancements for projects and publications.
• Maintains detailed records related to source interviews and approvals.

ADDITIONAL ACCOUNTABILITIES BASED ON FOCUS AREA (MAY INCLUDE MULTIPLE AREAS).

ENTERPRISE AND MARKET COMMUNICATIONS

• Develops and implements communications strategies and tactics in Sutter’s community-based markets that directly advance and support Sutter Health’s mission, strategic vision, and business plans.
• Designs and contributes to strategic communications, engagement strategies, and content to enhance visibility/credibility through coordinated efforts with market leaders.
• Develops and implements an integrated multi-channel public relations and storytelling approach to advance brand awareness and Sutter Health growth and service line strategy in the community-based markets.
• Works closely with enterprise and market leaders and communications team leaders in development and implementation of communications strategies, plans and approaches to support the key priorities and initiatives of respective markets across acute and ambulatory services.
• Partners with media relations, public relations, and social media team to support media requests across the community-based market and leverage social media platforms and strategy for market leaders.
• Partner with external affairs, media, and issues team members on issues management; partner with marketing on service lines, patient segmentation and health plan products.
• Takes an active participation role in Sutter Health editorial board planning and contributes to the various communications platforms.
• Works closely with manager and other leaders to help guide, develop and implement key strategies that enhance internal employee portals with important market priorities, processes and news.
• Seeks new opportunities to tell the Sutter Health story both internally and externally engaging with local site leaders and subject-matter experts.

REPUTATION MANAGEMENT AND EXTERNAL MEDIA RELATIONS

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create compelling content tailored for diverse media outlets, including traditional, owned, broadcast/radio, and social media platforms.
• Proactively manage the organization's reputation by closely monitoring media coverage, identifying potential issues, and developing strategies to effectively counter negative impact.
• Research and write press releases, pitch angles, and compelling brand-journalism style content for Sutter’s newsroom and other channels.
• Draft media/press statements that convey the organization's position accurately and effectively in response to unfolding events or issues.
• Pitch stories and experts to traditional and non-traditional news media and inserts Sutter Health into local, state, and national stories.
• Seamlessly support video conferencing, phone, and live interviews, ensuring accurate and consistent message delivery
• Provide active support during public relations events, which may include taking video and photos for social media usage
• Participate in the rotating media on-call schedule (after hours & weekends), responding promptly to events or issues as they emerge.
• Coordinate and facilitate media training for designated spokespeople, preparing them with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively engage with the media. This includes providing a comprehensive message preparation document for subject matter experts, ensuring consistent and strategic messaging across all interactions.
• Possesses a clear understanding of the news cycle and focus areas of various media outlets (traditional, digital and influencers) to strategically position Sutter Health within relevant stories
• Understands and utilizes media monitoring and social media platforms as a tool for reputation management, competitor analysis and media engagement opportunities.
• Collaborate closely with the workforce & labor relations (WFLR) team to implement strategic communications plans aimed at positioning Sutter Health as an employer of choice.
• Craft and deliver compelling, provocative communications to support the organization's stance during labor actions, strikes, and negotiations.
• Develop key messaging and communication materials that align with the organization's values while addressing concerns raised during labor actions.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure consistent messaging across all communication channels and materials related to WFLR efforts.
• Monitor public sentiment and media coverage related to labor actions, providing insights and recommendations to adapt communication strategies.

STRATEGY COMMUNICATIONS

• Serves as central point of contact for assigned strategic areas, supporting communications planning and execution.
• Develops subject matter expertise for assigned strategy areas and provides communications support, including messaging, thought leadership, internal and external communications, and outreach.
• Partners with key customers to identify and tell internal and external storytelling opportunities.
• Develops leader bylined articles and messaging for publications and other communications.
• Manages content design and execution of newsletters and presentations.
• Creates and maintains strong, productive relationship with subject matter experts, communications colleagues, and other key partners to share news and stories with internal and external audiences.
• Supports ad hoc communications planning and execution.

INTERNAL & EVENT COMMUNICATIONS:

• Serves as central point of contact for development and distribution of systemwide internal messages, including news, updates, activations and event information
• Supports systemwide message and information distribution strategy, including developing and overseeing a central internal communications plan and calendar
• Provides general internal communications project support and interfaces with internal communications clients to coordinate cross-channel messaging distribution and deployment plans
• Develops content and provides copy editing support for internal channels
• Partners with key clients to identify and develop internal and external storytelling content and assets
• Supports database management for internal first up team Sutter platform
• Provide communications support for internal events and serve as a member of the event core team
• Develops event invitation language, reminders, welcome letters, promotional materials, etc.
• Liaisons with event design teams
• Supports project management for event communications deliverables and tracks deadlines and status of deliverables
• Reviews and copy edits various event materials (agendas, slides, signage, etc.)
• Captures photos and video, and works with photogs and videographers, to capture event footage and develop post-event content (stories, videos, posts, etc.)

TEAM BUILDING

• Inspires team members to achieve results, hone communication and writing skills, take informed risks, and provide stellar customer service.
• Directs and leads cross-functional teams (strategy, innovation, technology, finance, legal, marketing, etc.), providing effective team direction and guidance.
• Plays an active role in the operations (including budget) and the continuous improvement of the department through mentorship, training, and collaborative meetings/symposiums.

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS

• Oversees content development and establish standards for communications, including newsletters, announcements, email, scripts, web pages, special reports, speeches, presentations, videos.
• Makes appropriate arrangements to ensure that communications materials are accurate, error-free, timely, and produced within budget, including identifying and seeking appropriate and necessary reviews in advance of publication.
• Manages vendor, freelance and/or agency relationships to help ensure high-quality, cost-efficient communications.
• In coordination with communications department leadership, supports legal and crisis communications involving targeted audiences.
• Oversees quantitative and qualitative metrics and analytics to measure and evaluate engagement, effectiveness, and performance, while identifying opportunities to advance communications strategies.

EDUCATION:

Equivalent experience will be accepted in lieu of the required degree or diploma.

Bachelor's in Communications, English, Journalism, Public Relations (PR) or related field

TYPICAL EXPERIENCE:

2 years recent relevant experience.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

General knowledge of strategic communications planning, social networking, graphic standards and design principles, corporate identity/brand management, news/feature/speech/online/script writing, proofreading and editing techniques, publications development/production/management, principles of photography and audio/video production, audience list maintenance and marketing engagement research.

Professional writing and editing skills with the ability to interpret corporate goals and translate them into an effective communications/constituent relations plan. Proficient skills in negotiation, project management, consensus building, conflict resolution, and risk management, in addition to being an effective decision maker and delegator.

Organizational skills required, including demonstrated ability to maintain production schedules and strictly adhere to multiple timelines and budgets. Current knowledge of regional, state and national health care and medicine issues, Northern California current events, and cultural and health care trends.

Functional knowledge of selecting/hiring third-party talent for creative services, graphic design and production, publication development and management, market research and advertising.

Competency in Microsoft Office suite, with advanced user capabilities in PowerPoint and Excel, as well as, basic HTML, Adobe Photoshop, WordPress and SharePoint knowledge.

Synthesize information and ideas to create communications that generate an engaging and positive audience experience.

Assess and understand targeted audience's attitudes, opinions and preferences.

Adapt to evolving communications techniques (e.g., writing for multimedia, infographics and social media).

Manage, prioritize, adapt, and drive multiple projects in an ever-changing environment to deliver quality products and services on-time and on-budget.

Work independently, as well as part of a multidisciplinary team, while demonstrating organization skills.

Analyze possible solutions using precedents, existing departmental guidelines and policies, experience and good judgment to identify and solve standard problems.

Build collaborative relationships with peers, other departments, stakeholders, agencies, and vendors to achieve marketing goals and corporate objectives.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS:

See required physical demands, mental components, visual activities & working conditions at the following link: Job Requirements

Job Shift:

Days

Schedule:

Full Time

Days of the Week:

Monday - Friday

Weekend Requirements:

Occasionally

Benefits:

Yes

Unions:

No

Position Status:

Exempt

Weekly Hours:

40

Employee Status:

Regular Sutter Health is an equal opportunity employer EOE/M/F/Disability/Veterans.

Pay Range is $97,032.00 to $145,558.40 / annual salary The posted pay range is based on the position's primary work location. Candidates who reside and work outside of that location may be subject to a different pay range based on their work location. Candidate starting salaries consider multiple factors, including, but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, licensure, certifications, departmental equity, training, and organizational needs. Base pay is only one component of Sutter Health’s comprehensive total rewards program. Eligible positions also include a comprehensive benefits package.