The Senior Media Relations Specialist functions as a core part of the department of Keck Medicine of USC Marketing and Communications. This position will develop and coordinate media relations strategy for assigned key clinical service lines and clinical research priorities to support Keck Medicine of USC's strategic initiatives. Specific tasks include: developing and maintaining relationships with faculty clinicians and researchers, administrative staff and other appropriate staff to identify opportunities and the best methods for promotion; developing and maintaining relationships with external clients including members of the news media and partner organizations; helping develop social media strategies and posts focused on identified priorities; participating in rotating on-call media and crisis response duties with other members of the office; and identifying and escalating crisis issues to department leadership. Given the nature of the work, some activities may require after or before normal work hours and weekend work, as appropriate.

Essential Duties:

• Develops strategy for cultivating and maintaining effective ongoing working relationships with writers, editors and producers in the print and electronic media – on national, regional and local levels for specified service line “beats.”
• Determines strategy and priorities for media outreach for priority clinical service lines and faculty research. Determines and organizes media outreach to align with priorities and strategic initiatives of department and enterprise. 1
• Responds to incoming media requests for information about Keck Medicine of USC specific service lines and staff media interviews on campus.
• Writes and disseminates press releases, pitch letters, and communications materials, etc. Works with video contractors for b-roll filming or for specific patient stories and faculty physician expert questions for video production activities.
• Determines and selects stories to promote externally. Determines the best way to tell the stories and determines appropriate faculty and/or staff to include. Proactive media outreach to secure coverage.
• Coordinates coverage with other university departments, as appropriate. Supports efforts for the social media content calendar to enhance coverage by outside media.
• Provides consultative services to various staff within service line priorities on media relations and publicity strategies including interview process, filming procedures, and media and personal appearances, as needed.
• Serves as one of the key point persons on escalation of issues/crisis and back-up to Director for crisis management and strategy.
• Track all professional medical/research conferences for media relations team and provide media relations and social media support at professional conferences for specific assigned service line “beats.”
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Required Qualifications:

• Req Bachelor's degree Degree preferably in journalism, public relations, marketing, communications (Degree in associated field accepted if other qualifications are met)

• Req 7 years Experience in PR or media
• Req 1 year 1 to 3 year's Social Media either via internal department of an organization, a media company or marketing/PR/social media agency.
• Req Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills. Good interpersonal communication skills. Excellent journalistic news and storytelling skills.
• Req Demonstrated expertise in most social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn) and ability to conduct Facebook Live events.
• Req Proven ability to manage people, projects on budget and on time.
• Req Strong interpersonal and communications skills within all levels of the organization.
• Req Ability to reach goals through teamwork and collaboration.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Pref PR experience in health care, medical center or medical school

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• Req Driver's License (CA DMV) Valid California Driver's Licencse
• Req Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only)