Media Relations Specialist

About the American College of Surgeons

The American College of Surgeons is a professional and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and improve the quality of care for surgical patients. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 80,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world. For more information, visit www.facs.org.

Summary:

The Media Relations Specialist will be an essential member of the Public Information Team with demonstrated skills and ability to develop and deploy public information projects and initiatives; foster clear, positive communications with the media, ACS members, and general public; and lead analytics reporting and collaborative analysis on earned and paid media results. Working with a moderate level of guidance and direction, this position will develop multi-platform public information messages and materials for the media, members, and general public on ACS news, new developments in surgery, and the College's seminal role in advancing quality care for surgical patients.

This Exempt position will report to the Senior Manager, Public Information in the Division of Integrated Communications. It is based in our Chicago office and is a hybrid role: 2 days per week in the office/3 days per week remote, planning to move to 3 days per week in the office/2 days per week remote after Labor Day, 2022.

Primary Responsibilities:

• MEDIA PLANNING: Collaborates with the public information team to support key aspects of a planned media execution process, including messaging, media targeting, media pitching, follow-up, and potential paid media opportunities.
  
  
  
• RESEARCH, WRITING, EDITING, DEPLOYMENT: Researches and writes press releases, web content, talking points, Op-ed articles, blogs, earned and paid media articles for surgeons and other ACS leaders; contributes to social media messaging; edits news documents and other assignments to adhere to AP style guide. Manages newswire and website news release deployment.
  
• MEDIA MONITORING: Leads the monitoring and reporting processes for earned results using media monitoring data base, website analytics, and news wire service results. Contributes analytics to division reports, runs regularly scheduled custom reports for ACS program managers, develops coverage analysis commentaries, and advises recipients on media coverage impact and implications. Provides internal support for assigned staff projects related to ACS news coverage. Collaborates with Integrated Media Strategist on analysis of results, hitting targets, and developing future recommendations for optimal media coverage.
  
  
  
• DATABASE MANAGEMENT: Assumes lead role in utilizing the media coverage section of the media monitoring database and interfaces with the vendor to maximize the efficient use of our tools and monitoring processes.
  
  
  
• REACTIVE MEDIA/PUBLIC RESPONSE: Triages daily press queries, performs intake analysis, and shares with team members for action. Researches and responds to public information and media queries that require more than a standard response.
  
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Public Relations, or related field from an accredited college or university is required.
  
• At least 2 years of Journalism, Newswriting, or similar experience is required.
  
• 4 years of Media Relations or similar experience is preferred.
  
• Experience writing healthcare content a plus.
  
• Training in using media analytics and monitoring tools and managing media databases is preferred. (i.e., Cision or Agility).
  
• Excellent research, editing, newswriting, and problem-solving skills.
  
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) necessary to effectively interact with all levels of organization.
  
• Attention to detail and organizational skills.
  
• Must be able to multi-task.
  
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Products (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), and Adobe Acrobat.
• Display high level of energy and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
  
• Ability work under moderate supervision or as part of a team, sometimes on assignments with competing deadlines.
  
• Ability to establish strong working relationships with all division teams, management, members of the media, and the public.

Physical/Work Environment: Fast paced with significant people interaction. No lifting over 20 pounds, minimal reaching bending and stooping. Performs work in a normal office environment with long hours in front of the computer.

Other Necessary Requirements: Evening or weekend duties may be required. Minimal travel for activities such as out of town meetings is required.

The American College of Surgeons is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to recruitment@facs.org or call (312) 202-5000 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)