Public Relations Specialist - Massey

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here.

Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center Mission

To improve the lives of all Virginians by delivering cutting-edge cancer care through patient-centered prevention and treatment; high-impact, innovative research; community input and engagement; and education and training of the next generation of researchers and healthcare professionals.

VCU is committed to hiring veterans! VCU will include a veteran’s period(s) of military service in the calculation of their annual leave accrual rate. This may provide veterans with an increased leave accrual!

Job Summary:

The public relations specialist serves as a content producer for the Executive Communications team, utilizing multiple platforms including earned media, web, email communication, and social media to amplify the work of the executive leadership team at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center (Massey) in alignment with the cancer center’s mission, vision, and goals. Reporting directly to the Director of Executive Communications, the Public Relations Specialist will develop messaging for internal and external audiences and regularly publish content in partnership with other members of the Executive Communications team, including a photographer, videographer, events coordinator, and research communications analyst. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in strategic communications, public relations, and storytelling with a proven ability to manage complex communication campaigns and engage diverse audiences. This role works collaboratively with the Massey Marketing and Communications Team to coordinate the Cancer Center Sr. Leadership’s branding and messaging systems. Overall, this position will assist with elevating and promoting the Cancer Center Sr. Leadership’s services and commitment to Massey and communities we serve.

Key Responsibilities:

·        Press Releases and Media Kits: Develop and distribute press releases, media kits, and other communication materials to promote the Cancer Center Sr. Leadership’s initiatives, programs, and events.

·        Editorial Calendar: Develop and maintain an editorial calendar for the Cancer Center Sr. Leadership to ensure timely and relevant content delivery across all channels.

·        Content Development: Create high-quality content for various platforms, including newsletters, blogs, videos, and podcasts; create communication materials for external/internal partnerships and national leadership roles, representing the Cancer Center Sr. Leadership’s strategic vision.

·        Visual Communications: Collaborate with team members to produce visually compelling content that enhances storytelling and audience engagement.

·        Social Media Management: Develop content for the Cancer Center Sr. Leadership’s social media presence, including content creation, community engagement, and performance analysis.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.

Preferred: Master’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related discipline.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

·        Minimum 5 years of proven success in a public relations, journalism, marketing, or communications role with experience in content creation and management.

·        Ability to travel up to 25% domestically.

·        Ability to work on weekends and after hours, as needed.

·        Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

·        Strong strategic planning and organizational skills, with the ability to align communication efforts with the voice, vision, and mission of the Cancer Center Sr. Leadership and Cancer Center.

·        Demonstrated experience in developing and executing digital and social media strategies.

·        Exceptional knowledge of the latest digital and integrated marketing tools, including both traditional and emerging media platforms.

·        Excellent written, verbal, content strategy, interpersonal, management and organizational skills.

·        Demonstrated valuing of, and ability to work and communicate effectively with, students, faculty and staff of varying racial, ethnic, religious, gender, cultural, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic, and other intersecting identities and backgrounds.

·        Team-oriented, motivated and enthusiastic.

·        Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to gather, analyze and summarize data and trends.

·        Expertise in the use of PowerPoint, Word, social media platforms, and graphic design and PR software.

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.

Massey Cancer Center
Masseyhr@vcu.edu