VNPC Communications Strategist, SOM/Pediatrics

Virginia Commonwealth University; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Comprehensive health benefits

Paid annual leave

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) invites applicants for a Communications Strategist to advance the Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative (VNPC). This role leads strategic communications, translates maternal and infant health initiatives into audience-focused stories, and strengthens engagement with hospitals, providers, policymakers, families across Virginia.

The strategist will oversee grant deliverables, develop campaigns, and ensure branding consistency while collaborating with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 1–3 years of relevant professional experience in communications or public health.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Experience with social media management and analytics; proficiency in MS Office, Canva and Illustrator.

Responsibilities

• Implement and maintain a communication plan for the VNPC, including social media, website, blog, and newsletters.
• Lead implementation and completion of grant-related communications deliverables per workplans.
• Transform maternal and infant health data into relatable, audience-focused stories.
• Provide communications assistance to staff, hospitals, and volunteers on QI initiatives.
• Assist with basic graphic design for flyers, social graphics, and posters when needed.
• Ensure all communications reflect the VNPC mission and projects.
• Focus communications on the primary audience and maintain audience relevance.
• Apply public health values in program activities at local, system, or state level.

Skills

Written and verbal communication

Organizational skills

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Microsoft Office

Canva

Adobe Illustrator

Social media management

Analytics

Independent and team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Canva

Adobe Illustrator

Job description

Advertising Summary:

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located inthe heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’ssponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationallyrecognized for patient care and education.

Unit:

School Of Medicine MBU

Department:

Pediatrics

Position Summary:

The VNPC Communications Strategist will support the development and lead the execution of strategic communications initiatives thatelevate the visibility, impact, and reach of the Virginia NeonatalPerinatal Collaborative (VNPC). This role is responsible fortelling the VNPC story across all programs, projects, and fundingsources by translating complex maternal and infant health, qualityimprovement, and public health initiatives into compelling,audience-centered communications that engage stakeholders andinspire action.

The Communications Strategist will serve as the organization'scommunications leader, ensuring the successful execution ofcommunication deliverables and reporting requirements associatedwith funded initiatives while advancing a cohesive, unified VNPCbrand and message. This position will develop and implementinnovative communication strategies, campaigns, and engagementopportunities that expand awareness of VNPC's mission, strengthenparticipation in quality improvement efforts, and increase theorganization's reach among healthcare professionals, communitypartners, policymakers, and families across Virginia.

A key function of this role is relationship building and partnerengagement. The Communications Strategist will cultivate andmaintain strong partnerships with Virginia birth hospitals,healthcare providers, health systems, community-basedorganizations, state agencies, advocacy groups, and other leadersinfluential to maternal and infant health outcomes. Through thesecollaborations, the Strategist will help drive engagement, supportproject participation, amplify program successes, and ensurestakeholders remain informed, connected, and invested in VNPC'swork.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and skilled communicatorwho can balance the execution of funding-related deliverables withcreativity and innovation. They will identify new opportunities toenhance VNPC's communications strategy, leverage data and audienceinsights to improve engagement, and ensure that all communicationseffectively demonstrate the measurable impact VNPC is making toimprove maternal and infant health outcomes throughout theCommonwealth of Virginia.

Core Responsibilities:

Program Activities

• Implement and maintain a communication plan for the VNPCincluding social media, website, blog, and newsletters.
• Lead implementation and completion of allcommunications-related grant deliverables as outlined by grantworkplans.
• Identify methods for transforming maternal and infant healthdata into relatable stories.
• Provide communications technical assistance to staff,hospitals, and volunteers implementing VNPC’s quality improvementprojects and other initiatives when appropriate.
• Assist with basic graphic design as necessary for flyers,social media graphics, document design, professional poster design,etc.
• Ensure all communication assets best represent the VNPC’smission, projects, initiatives, activities, and publicappearance.
• Ensure all communications activities are focused on reachingthe VNPC’s primary audience, and content is appropriate andrelatable to that audience.
• Apply public health core values when implementing programactivities at the local, system, or state level.

Planning, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Assist with developing an annual communications plan andstrategies for the VNPC. This plan should include ways todisseminate and promote VNPC’s work and outcomes on a state andnational level.
• Assist with grant and general assembly reporting. This includestracking reportable metrics and contributing to writing reportnarratives. Ensure report requirements are accurate, complete, andconsistently meet submission deadlines.
• Identify important and timely topics impacting Virginia’smaternal and infant health outcomes, and pregnant and postpartumwomen.
• Participate in evaluation of VNPC programs, projects,initiatives, and grants.
• Evaluate the success and effectiveness of communicationsactivities at least quarterly. Write a quarterly communicationsreport.
• Develop plans for promotion, recruitment, and dissemination ofVNPC quality improvement projects and events.
• Research available grants and funding opportunities and assistwith writing as necessary.

Relationship Building and Maintenance

• Foster and maintain healthy relationships with VNPC’s vestedpartners, state agencies, hospital staff, and other maternal andinfant health organizations.
• Serve as media coordinator and representative for the VNPC,escalating media inquiries as appropriate.
• Maintain effective working relationships with all VNPC businesspartners, contractors, and consultants.
• Represent the VNPC on appropriate committees and groups asneeded.

Training and Leadership

• Set a professional example and proactively promotecollaboration amongst team members and external partners andvolunteers.
• Seek additional learning and skill development opportunities tostrengthen understanding of public health concepts, public healthcommunications, partner engagement, quality improvement, projectmanagement, workload management and organization, and other relatedtopics.
• Practice leadership and accountability for all assigned, orrole appropriate tasks.
• Complete an annual individual development plan in alignmentwith your role and long-term professional growth.
• Complete all required trainings and development opportunitiesassigned by VCU, VCU Health, and VNPC.

Teamwork and Customer Service

• Work with other VNPC staff as a collaborative team and treatcoworkers with respect.
• Contribute to collective team projects by completing assignedtasks in a timely manner and to the best of your ability. Bewilling to assist other team members when needed.
• Actively prepare for and contribute to planning and strategymeetings, brainstorming sessions, and other team meetings. Shareideas and listen to ideas from others.
• Make suggestions for improving internal work processes toincrease effectiveness or efficiency, decrease cost, and/orstrengthen external relationships.
• Practice rapid resolution when experiencing conflict with otherteam members. Seek guidance from supervisor when needed.
• Treat internal and external partners with excellent customerservice. Communicate respectfully, appreciate diversity, andrespect differences.
• Observe confidentiality with sensitive or proprietaryinformation.
• Use clear and effective verbal and written communication.

Financial Administration

• Work under the direction of your supervisor to provide fiscalsupport to the organization as appropriate.
• Track costs, expenditures, and renewal dates for communicationsplatforms and tools.
• Perform routine fiscal assignments as needed. Advise and alertsupervisor of any compliance concerns.
• Monitor, evaluate, and ensure accurate files are maintainedforall communications related expenditures.

Other Duties as Assigned

• May be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 1-3 years of relevant professionalexperience or equivalent combination of education, experience, andtraining related to communications, marketing, or other relatedconcentration.
• At least 1 year of experience working in maternal and infanthealth or public health. Or the ability to demonstrate an in-depthworking knowledge of maternal and infant health and/or publichealth.
• Clear and effective written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Superior interpersonal skills with the ability to establish andmaintain excellent working relationships with a wide variety ofconstituents.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel,PowerPoint), Canva, and Adobe Illustrator.
• Proficiency in social media management and analytics.
• Ability to both self-direct and work collaboratively as part ofan interdisciplinary team.

• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environmentof respect, professionalism and civility with a population offaculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds andexperiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member atVCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in communications, marketing, or other relateddegree.
• Experience of 3-5 years working in maternal and infant healthor public health.
• Experience working with a Perinatal Quality Collaborative.
• Demonstrated ability to independently make strategic decisions,generate innovative ideas and solutions, and adapt to changingcontexts while maintaining quality and timely work.
• Demonstrated experience working with hospitals across theCommonwealth.
• Experience with grant management and deliverables.

Salary Range:

Up to $80,000 (Commensurate withExperience)

Benefits

All full-time university staff are eligible forVCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annualand holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planningand savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunitiesfor career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status:

Exempt

Hours per Week:

40

Restricted Position:

Yes

ORP Eligible:

No

Flexible Work Arrangement:

Hybrid

University Job Title:

Communications Generalist 1-2,(13231N, 13232N)

Contact Name:

Jewel Jefferson

Contact Email:

[e-mail]