Communications Manager, Knight Cancer Institute

Department Overview

The communications manager participates in a cross-functional, multidisciplinary Strategic Communications, Brand Strategy and Marketing, OHSU Foundation Strategic Communications team. This role is focused on promoting OHSU/Knight Cancer Institute/Complex Care milestones and achievements via earned and owned communications channels, resulting in internal/external key audience engagement, support/advocacy and use of services, as well as issues management/emergency preparedness/crisis communications support, as needed.

 

The communications manager is responsible for developing and executing internal/external strategic communications plans, including earned media, internal and executive communications, that directly align with OHSU/Knight Cancer Institute/Complex Care strategic objectives. This role works to effectively and positively shape public perception and internal/external engagement by conveying information to key audiences that fosters understanding of the value OHSU/Knight Cancer Institute/Complex Care bring to the people of Oregon and beyond through its patient care, education

and research missions.

 

This professional identifies news and human-interest stories that illustrate OHSU/Knight Cancer Institute/Complex Care values and accomplishments, and ensures this information is broadly conveyed, across multiple communications channels, to key audiences, including news media, the public, OHSU faculty and staff, patients, donors, peer institutions and elected officials.

Function/Duties of Position

Executive and Internal communications

• Uses current best practices in developing and using effective channels of communication, including emerging technologies, inclusive of written, graphic, audio or video materials distributed through a wide variety of physical and digital channels.
• Develops effective message strategy to convey complex topics to a diverse and highly matrixed team.
• Serves as communications counsel to OHSU/Knight Cancer Institute/Complex Care teams to enhance successful, goal-aligned communication.
• Tracks trends and best practices and applies these in innovative ways to accomplish strategic communications goals.
• Ensures strategic priorities are conveyed with consistency and efficiency.
• Responsible for crafting and distributing internal and external communications in support of strategic priorities.
• Coordinates with Strategic Communications/Brand Strategy and Marketing/OHSU Foundation to optimize communication timing and message alignment.

Media relations

• Identifies priorities and opportunities that could be advanced by media relations strategies and tactics in collaboration with OHSU Strategic Communications.
• Develops earned media plans that benefit OHSU/Knight Cancer Institute/Complex Care.
• Regularly engage with members of the media to field requests, pitch relevant stories. Facilitate virtual and in-person interviews with media and experts from OHSU.
• Provide media training to experts across OHSU in preparation for media interviews and other public speaking opportunities.
• Supports earned media activities, including the creation of stories/announcements for the OHSU News website, backgrounders, program/research descriptors, video interviews and other materials. 
• Identifies public relations implications of proposed strategic activities as well as emerging issues, and shares these with Strategic Communications/Knight Cancer Institute leadership.
• Required to assist with internal and external communication planning and execution for crisis and emergency preparedness activities as part of Strategic Communications’ Media Relations team. 
• Is a member of the 24/7 on-call communicators group, supporting OHSU’s emergency and off-hours communications needs as regularly scheduled.

Operations and Team Management

• Develops, manages and motivates communications team to maximize OHSU/Knight Cancer Institute/Complex Care priorities and fosters personal performance growth. 
• Demonstrates recognition of the value of individual and cultural differences to team effectiveness; creates a work environment where diverse viewpoints and abilities are valued and that emphasizes teamwork, accountability and professionalism.
• Develops metrics to effectively measure team success, with mechanisms for adapting strategies in response to results. 
• Works with internal and external partners, and leaders to set and accomplish priorities to meet OHSU/Knight Cancer
• Institute/Complex Care goals.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field. (i.e. Communication, Journalism, English) OR
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of six years of experience in communications.
• At least 1 year supervising employees or demonstrated experience in leading a continuous project or program for at least 2 years.

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and ability to work in multiple formats including video
• Experience as a writer/editor in fast-paced, complex settings
• Strong familiarity with online community management for internal communication and a strong understanding of multiple communications vehicles and how they work together for communications and reputation building
• Analytical skills including an ability to self-direct information gathering and identify key issues that should be addressed with communication
• Specific knowledge of how to effectively and coordinate external communication with social media and media relations strategy
• Experience developing comprehensive communication plans
• Flexibility to adjust to change quickly, to learn on the fly, and to write in a variety of formats
• An ability to think visually and assist with planning and producing video and graphics to communicate effectively
• Excellent team player who is also capable of self-direction and is comfortable working with others and achieving results by collaborating with many different departments and individuals
• Ability to work within and navigate a complex organizational structure in which it’s essential to form working groups with members of other departments to achieve complex projects and leverage available resources.
• Excellent project management and program development skills with the ability to manage a constant stream of requests requiring multitasking and prioritization.
• Superb ability to work independently and manage projects. 
• Extremely comfortable in making public presentations to groups and in developing effective relationships with wide range of clients.
• Strong organization skills including content management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field (e.g., Communication, Journalism, English)
• Demonstrated experience in media relations Demonstrated experience in a university or academic medical center

Additional Details

Hybrid position, with on-campus meetings and responsibilities as assigned. Position will be primarily telework.

Most workstations are shared. Heavy use of a computer and phone.

Work schedule and location are generally within regular business hours, though the role will be required to staff special events or respond to urgent needs outside of regular business hours.

Travel may be required. Virtual meetings will be a regular occurrence.

All are welcome

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.