Public Relations Specialist

The Public Relations Specialist manages communications strategies and activities that promote, enhance, and protect LCMC Health and its hospitals’ brand reputation. This role implements a broad range of public relations activities relative to the strategic direction and positioning of the system and its leadership and manages comprehensive public relations and media relations programs to support strategic goals and system public relations plans for LCMC Health and its hospitals.

The position reports to the Director of Public Relations for LCMC Health and supports strategic communications plans for the system, its hospitals and service lines which contribute to larger system strategy plan.

The Public Relations Specialist helps communicate the system mission and vision to the media through an ongoing media relations program. Specific responsibilities include assisting in the development and dissemination of news, features, photo releases, proactive and reactive media contacts and crisis communications support. The position provides content development and editorial services for key strategic initiatives, programs, special projects, events, and/or breaking news or potential crises.

Your Everyday

Content Creation:

• Works with Director of PR to identify, research, write, disseminate and place stories that publicize the activities and achievements of the system and its hospitals and that educate the public about health and wellness. Includes news releases, features stories, photo releases, and story pitches to appropriate media and special presentations, speeches, talking points and other communication pieces for CEO and other system leaders.
• Reviews and edits all written materials and reports with a keen eye for detail, including oversight of content created or written by the team.
• Creates content regularly to grow the company’s footprint (press releases, corporate announcements, and creative content).
• Collaborates with Director of PR to craft and pitch press releases and thought leadership columns.
• Provides research, writing, and editing for system and hospital publications as needed.
• Leads the creation of and submission for system awards and accolades.

Supports Media Strategies & Crisis Communications:

• Supports the media strategies for the health system. Works with the Director to recommend proactive strategies to obtain media coverage (local, regional, and national levels) and advance health system messages.
• Ensures media relations program is in place to respond to media inquiries in accordance with media relations’ procedures and represents the system in a professional manner to the media and other outside organizations.
• Assists with media requests for information in a timely and accurate manner, keeping Director informed. Makes appropriate arrangements for interviews with hospital personnel and volunteers. Prepares talking points, speeches, presentations, and other supporting material as needed.
• Assists the marketing communications team, hospital teams and other leaders. Develops key messages and strategies for use with internal and/or external audiences.
• Supports crisis planning/response for key strategic initiatives, programs, special projects, events and/or breaking news or potential crises.
• Responsible for monitoring media activity and placements related to system, its hospitals, its key constituencies, its competitors and issues affecting the healthcare industry. Ensures timely and convenient distribution of media clips, along with periodic reports for system and individual events/topics.
• Provides after-hours media coverage for system for media relations and acts as a point of contact for crises, issues or other non-routine after-hours needs, as assigned.
• Develops and implements system for tracking and reporting media hits.

Team Collaboration:

• Works collaboratively with outside agency partners used in public and media relations efforts.
• Demonstrates a high degree of professionalism, maintains confidentiality and has the ability to comfortably and effectively advise on PR strategy to drive positive external reputation engagement.
• Takes a proactive approach to identifying new public relations opportunities, obtaining stakeholder alignment, and implementing recommendations.
• Leads by example in staying on top of industry news and shares relevant articles to provide insight and context into PR activities.

The Must-Haves

Minimum:

EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS

• Required: Two years of experience in a public relations or related position. (Written samples and/or work portfolios will be requested.)
• Preferred: Previous experience in crisis communications, including issues preparedness and handling live crisis response for both internal and external audiences.
• Preferred: Previous experience pitching, crafting, and placing content externally through guest blogging or op-ed development and experience with event management and sponsorships.
• Preferred: Previous experience writing news releases, features stories, photo releases, and story pitches to appropriate media.

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

• Required: Bachelor’s Degree in public relations, marketing, journalism or a related field.
• Preferred: Master’s Degree.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite.
• Strong critical thinking ability to clearly and effectively communicate the impact of public relations into high-level, easy-to-understand reports that tell a clear story that connects to business goals and impact (revenue, growth, experience).
• Ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills. Includes writing and creating key messages, presentations, speeches, talking points and other communication pieces.
• Knowledge of communication and public relations practices, methods, and strategies. Knowledge of best practices in media relations, crisis communication, and issues management.
• Knowledge of social media (blogs, Facebook, Twitter) principles and practices in the healthcare or comparable industry.
• Excellent presentation and communications skills, with ability to create and deliver presentations to diverse stakeholder teams.
• Ability to work and thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing work environment.
• Must be able to work well under pressure and deadlines and be flexible and adaptable to unexpected changes.
• Excellent self-direction. Must be comfortable taking initiative, demonstrating innovative thinking and be an energetic, self-assured high performer able to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills. Proven track record of successful project management and ability to balance multiple priorities and tasks within tight timeframes with minimal supervision.
• Team-oriented outlook and the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues across the organization and within the department.
• Ability to regularly work after normal business hours for an unspecified time frame, until a media issue has concluded.

WORK SHIFT:

Days (United States of America)

LCMC Health is a community.

Our people make health happen. While our NOLA roots run deep, our branches are the vessels that carry our mission of bringing the best possible care to every person and parish in Louisiana and beyond and put a little more heart and soul into healthcare along the way. Celebrating authenticity, originality, equity, inclusion and a little “come on in” attitude is the foundation of LCMC Health’s culture of everyday extraordinary

Your extras

• Deliver healthcare with heart.
• Give people a reason to smile.
• Put a little love in your work.
• Be honest and real, but with compassion.
• Bring some lagniappe into everything you do.
• Forget one-size-fits-all, think one-of-a-kind care.
• See opportunities, not problems – it’s all about perspective.
• Cheerlead ideas, differences, and each other.
• Love what makes you, you – because we do

You are welcome here.

LCMC Health is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The above job summary is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. LCMC Health reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary.

Simple things make the difference.

1. To get started, take your time to fully and accurately complete the application for employment. Incomplete applications get bogged down and are often eliminated due to missing information.

2. To ensure quality care and service, we may use information on your application to verify your previous employment and background.

3. To keep our career applications up-to-date, applications are inactive after 6 months and, therefore, require a new application for employment to be completed.

4. To expedite the hiring process, proof of citizenship or immigration status will be required to verify your lawful right to work in the United States.