Marketing and Communications Manager

WHO WE ARE

Founded in 2018 in the heart of downtown St. Louis, Ponce Health Sciences University is answering a need for more healthcare professionals by preparing more students for jobs with a world-class, culturally competent education. Whether you're an aspiring doctor or psychologist, PHSU St. Louis is focused on helping our students reach their professional goals.

Ponce Health Sciences University's history dates back to its founding in 1977 in Ponce, Puerto Rico. We've been expanding our prestigious health sciences offerings since, with a focus on graduate medical programs. With campuses now in Ponce, San Juan, and St. Louis, we're expanding our global network while staying committed to preparing students for real-world healthcare careers and clinical situations.

OUR MISSION

The mission of Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) is to provide a world-class, culturally competent, health sciences education to the population we serve, through innovative adaptive learning environments focused on the success of its students to become ethical practitioners and scientists.

OUR VISION

The PHSU vision is to build on its reputation as a prestigious academic and research leader educating underrepresented diverse populations while focusing research efforts on solving global health disparities.

SUMMARY/OBJECTIVE: The Marketing and Community Relations Manager develops materials and events to deliver PHSU's messages to the public and the media. The Marketing and Community Relations Manager also develops relationships with internal and external clients to identify opportunities for the campus to interact with the community. This position also contributes to the overall success of PHSU's image, visibility, and recognition by performing all essential duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Principal Duties/Responsibilities
Events

• Creation and implementation of a community event strategy, with a focus on increasing engagement and awareness in the St. Louis area.
• Coordination with the internal team and external collaborators to ensure proper event implementation and budget.
• Identification of new opportunities for collaboration and partnerships with relevant community stakeholders.
• Establishes, nurtures, and maintains positive external relationships with individuals, businesses, and community-based organizations that support the institution's outreach efforts, as well as meet the needs for specific programs.
• Manage on-campus community events, including coordinating with faculty, staff, and students.
• Research and identify community engagement opportunities for faculty, staff, and students.

Public Relations

• Manages media relations to cultivate, create, and pitch positive stories to gain national, regional, and local media placement.
• Be comfortable acting as a spokesperson for the organization and/or arranging interviews with personnel for print and broadcast media and for special events.
• Write, edit, and distribute various types of content, including material for a website, press releases, interviews, marketing material and other types of content that take the message to the public.
• Identify membership and sponsorship opportunities and represent the university at meetings and events.
• Develop an annual plan to increase branding and awareness in the region, as well as monthly ROI reports on these efforts.

Marketing

• Collaborate with marketing and admissions teams to plan effective traditional marketing campaigns.
• Knowledge of traditional media tactics and experience budgeting for and buying traditional media.
• Serve as one of the institution's media buyers in accordance with organizational policies and procedures, including coordinating quotes and bids; coordinate with statewide and local media outlets, as authorized by manager and as part of contract deliverables.
• Work closely with the marketing department at our main campus to maintain consistent branding, reporting, and overall alliance.
• Maintain an inventory of marketing materials and coordinating new material creation as needed
• Ability to effectively communicate with vendors and team members of all levels and across departments.
• Increase operational efficiency and help set up and improve workflow processes when and where needed.

COMPETENCIES:

• Written and Verbal Communication - exceptional communication abilities, including writing, speaking and active listening. This position proofreads, copy edits, and develops media communications as well as develops and maintains media contacts.
• Problem solving & Initiative - ability to see ahead of potential communication pitfalls and get ahead of them to ensure truthful and accurate communication.
• Accountability - ability to develop timelines and meet them to ensure communications are timely, accurate and appropriate to the audience.
• Project Management - strong project management skills, including time management, goal setting, multitasking and prioritization.
• Organization and Planning - strong organizational and planning skills.
• Software - proficient with marketing-related software programs, as well as Microsoft 365.
• Attention to Detail - the ability to thoroughly develop content and review for accuracy prior to publication or community notification.
• Personability - the ability to be friendly and approachable in demeanor; one who can develop and maintain strong relationships with media sources and who also professionally represents PHSU. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well as part of a team. Comfortable with public speaking
• Creativity - the ability to deliver a message using language, words, and graphics that will reach the desired audience and level of attention.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty in a satisfactory manner. Listed below are the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required for this position, as well as the Physical Demands and Work Environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Bachelor's Degree in marketing, communications, or related field.
Experience. At least three (4) years of experience in marketing and communications related role. Knowledge of higher education recruiting regulations preferred.

• Experience in public relations, communications, journalism, or similar fields
• Ability to manage sensitive or controversial subjects with tact, kindness, and professionalism
• Background in advertising, business administration, public affairs, creative writing, or similar fields