Communications Specialist

Fairview Health Services; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 67,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

PTO

Sick time

Tuition reimbursement

Retirement plan

Earned wage access

Job summary

Fairview Health Services is seeking a Communications Specialist, External Communications in Minnesota. The role supports media relations, enterprise storytelling, and digital communications, with a flexible hybrid work environment and some onsite and weekend coverage requirements.

You will develop stories, draft external communications, support crises, and contribute basic multimedia work while collaborating with a broader External Communications team to protect and enhance the organization's

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing or related field or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop story ideas and identify subject matter experts with media relations leadership.
• Draft media pitches, news releases, statements, talking points, background materials and Q&A.

Skills

Strong writing

Editing

Interviewing

Research

Multimedia basics

Fast-paced environment

Education

BA in communications/journalism/pr, marketing or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Overview

Bring your communications expertise to Fairview and make an impact through media relations, digital storytelling, and executive communications. This full-time, salaried position offers a flexible mobile work environment with some onsite and weekend coverage requirements, and is open to candidates located in Minnesota or willing to relocate.

The Communications Specialist, External Communications supports Fairview's external reputation and enterprise priorities through execution across media relations, issues response, enterprise storytelling and digital communications. Working as part of an integrated External Communications team, the specialist helps identify and develop compelling stories, supports proactive and reactive media relations, drafts external communications materials, creates content for Fairview's external channels and provides communications support during emerging issues and crises. The position also contributes basic photography, video and multimedia capabilities to help stories travel effectively across channels. This role is intentionally designed as a communications generalist who can shift capacity based on enterprise priorities and emerging needs. During high-risk or high-volume periods, the specialist may provide additional monitoring, research, drafting, coordination and execution support across the team. The position creates important backup capacity while enabling managers and senior communications professionals to focus on strategy, counsel and higher-risk work. Success requires a strong writer and curious storyteller with sound judgment, initiative and the ability to work quickly in a complex organization. The successful candidate will be comfortable moving between media relations, writing, digital content and basic multimedia work while collaborating closely with colleagues who hold deeper expertise in each discipline.

Responsibilities

Media Relations & Reputation Support

• Develop story ideas, research potential angles and identify subject matter experts in partnership with media relations leadership.
• Draft media pitches, news releases, statements, talking points, background materials, Q&A and other external communications.
• Respond to and coordinate routine reporter requests under the direction of media relations leadership.
• Coordinate interviews, media visits, photography and other reporter logistics across Fairview hospitals and clinics.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with reporters and other external stakeholders.
• Maintain media contacts, background materials and other resources required for effective media relations.

Issues & Crisis Communications Support

• Support emerging issues and crisis response through monitoring, fact gathering, research, drafting and coordination.
• Assist with development and updating of holding statements, Q&A, timelines, background materials and other rapid-response communications.
• Monitor media and digital channels during significant issues and escalate relevant developments according to established protocols.
• Provide surge and backup support when multiple issues occur simultaneously or other External Communications team members are unavailable.
• Exercise sound judgment regarding sensitive, confidential and rapidly changing information and elevate concerns appropriately.

Enterprise Storytelling & Content Development

• Identify, report and develop human-centered stories that demonstrate Fairview's expertise, community impact and enterprise priorities.
• Interview patients, employees, clinicians, leaders and other stakeholders to gather information for external storytelling.
• Draft and edit newsroom/blog stories, web content, executive or thought-leadership support materials and other external content as assigned.
• Adapt stories and communications materials for different channels and audiences in partnership with media, digital and social colleagues.
• Support proactive storytelling related to priority clinical programs, academic medicine, research, community hospitals and enterprise initiatives.

Digital & Multimedia Communications

• Develop digital content in partnership with the Manager, Digital Strategy & Reputation and Senior Specialist, Social Media.
• Assist with publishing and updating content across Fairview's external digital platforms as needed.
• Capture basic photography and video for media, newsroom and social storytelling.
• Edit or prepare basic multimedia assets for digital use within established brand and quality standards.
• Support digital amplification of priority earned-media and enterprise storytelling opportunities.

Monitoring, Measurement & Communications Operations

• Support routine media monitoring and identify emerging coverage, trends and potential reputation issues.
• Track media relations and content outcomes and contribute to regular External Communications reporting.
• Maintain organized story, media and content resources that allow the team to respond quickly.
• Use approved AI, automation and communications tools to improve efficiency while maintaining appropriate human review, accuracy and judgment.
• Identify opportunities to simplify recurring work and improve External Communications processes.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Flexible Capacity

• Work collaboratively with media relations, digital communications, social media, internal communications, marketing and other partners to support integrated storytelling.
• Coordinate with subject matter experts throughout Fairview to gather accurate information and execute communications effectively.
• Shift execution support among media relations, issues response, enterprise storytelling and digital content based on team priorities and capacity.
• Contribute to cross-training and backup coverage so essential External Communications capabilities can be maintained during absences or periods of elevated demand.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor of Arts Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Experience

• 3 years Professional experience in communications, public relations, journalism, media relations, digital communications or a related field.

Skills

• Demonstrated strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, accurate and engaging communications for external audiences.
• Experience developing communications content such as media pitches, news releases, articles, digital content, social content or similar materials.
• Strong interviewing, research and information-gathering skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple assignments and changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Sound judgment and attention to detail, particularly when working with sensitive or time-critical information.
• Basic photography, video or multimedia content-development skills, with willingness to continue building capability.
• Proficiency with standard Microsoft productivity tools and ability to learn digital publishing, monitoring and communications platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in media relations, corporate communications, healthcare communications or journalism.
• Experience working in a large, complex or highly matrixed organization.
• Experience supporting issues management, crisis communications or other high-visibility situations.
• Experience with content management systems, social media platforms, media monitoring or social-listening tools.
• Experience creating basic photo and video content for digital channels.
• Experience using AI-enabled communications tools appropriately for research, drafting, synthesis or workflow efficiency.

Benefit Overview

Fairview offers a generous benefit package including but not limited to medical, dental, vision plans, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, PTO and Sick and Safe Time, tuition reimbursement, retirement, early access to earned wages, and more! Please follow this link foradditional information: https://www.fairview.org/careers/benefits/noncontract

Compensation Disclaimer

The posted pay range is for a 40-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). The actual rate of pay offered within this range may depend on several factors, such as FTE, skills, knowledge, relevant education, experience, and market conditions. Additionally, our organization values pay equity and considers the internal equity of our team when making any offer. Hiring at the maximum of the range is not typical. If your role is eligible for a sign-on bonus, the bonus program that is approved and in place at the time of offer, is what will be honored.

EEO Statement

EEO/Vet/Disabled: All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to any lawfully protected status

$67,100.80- $94,723.20 Annual