Description
ABOUT MGH INSTITUTE:

MGH Institute of Health Professions is a graduate school in Boston that provides entry-level and post-professional programs in Nursing, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Genetic Counseling, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Physician Assistant Studies. The PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences and a PhD and Master of Science in Health Professions Education have been added in recent years to meet rising demand for highly educated health care professionals, educators, and researchers. Integrating classroom learning with research and clinical experience, the Institute grants doctoral degrees, master's degrees, awards certificates of advanced study, and offers continuing education to practicing professionals.

The IHP is the only degree-granting affiliate in Mass General Brigham (MGB), the largest private employer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Institute has been recognized multiple times by The Chronicle of Higher Education as a “Great College to Work For.” A leading health sciences educational institution, MGH Institute provides students with outstanding academic programs, many of which are ranked among the best in the nation.

MGH Institute of Health Professions has announced an organization-wide anti-racism initiative to think boldly about race and bring together all members of the IHP community to address systemic racial injustice as well as oppression more broadly. The plan seeks to create a supportive and inclusive campus environment and better support the diverse communities the school serves. We are excited about this new initiative and are hiring employees who are committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion and will contribute to our anti-racism and anti-oppression approach. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting directly to the President, the Chief Communications Officer (CCO) provides strategic leadership and oversees planning, design, and execution of communications, public relations, community relations, internal communications, crisis management, and branding for the MGH Institute of Health Professions. This position supports the strategic goals of the Institute through targeted communications efforts aimed at ensuring a consistent visual identity, organizational voice, and institutional messaging across all units. The CCO is expected to work closely with the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion officer to bolster internal and external diversity-related communications.  The Officer collaborates effectively with key offices and leaders and leads a team of communications staff to meet short- and long-term goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1) 55% Communications

a)  Create, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of the Institute’s overall annual communications.

b) Assist the President with communications of sometimes critical and time sensitive messaging to the IHP community and to the external community as needed. Proactively anticipate communication needs throughout each academic year and prepare executive messaging with appropriate voices.

c) Ensure all department leaders have consistent messaging and clarity on talking points in advance of any important executive messages being delivered to campus and stakeholder groups.

d) Collaborate with the Office of Development to support fundraising and alumni relations initiatives.

e) Ensure consistent branding and strong voice for the Institute through effective use of various print and electronic media, including internal and external communication efforts, communication in the media, print and digital department newsletters and the Institute Magazine.

f) Oversee the development of all promotional materials, banners, print and online advertising, signage, premiums for recruitment events and national academic seminars/meetings, and departments across the Institute.

g) Develop and oversee internal employee and student communications, including Daily News, IHP TV, and monthly Yardarm.

h) Oversee communications activities for internal awareness campaigns.

2)  35% Public Relations:

a) Create, implement, and evaluate an annual public relations plan.

b) Ensure that the Institute has strong media visibility and recognition through news stories, faculty interviews, student and alumni features, and other newsworthy items.

c) Identify significant current media and public policy issues that can be leveraged to support the Institute's mission and create and implement plans to optimize them.

d) Oversee brand identity/signage in Navy Yard and throughout campus buildings.

e) Serve as primary communications and public relations spokesperson for the Institute.

f) Build brand identity with community organizations and oversee the IHP charitable giving program. 

g) Represent the Institute with Mass General Brigham affiliates, community groups, and government entities, and other organizations as needed, locally, regionally, and nationally to raise reputation and awareness.

3) 10% General Administrative and Managerial

a) Oversee, evaluate, and change processes as necessary to ensure efficiencies, quality, and best practices in communication modalities and deliverability.

b) Play key role in the development and successful implementation of communication related strategic priorities.

c) Work with the Marketing and Information Technology departments as well as internal and external partners to develop, implement, and continuously improve IHP brand.

d) Keep current on best practices in higher education, particularly in the areas of public relations, crisis management, and communications.

e) Ensure the Office of Strategic Communications operates as a service unit for communications and public relations in collaboration with other Institute offices and departments.

f) Serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet and Executive Council as well as select committees as appointed.

g) Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY                                                                

Direct:  Supervises department staff of 3FTEs.  Dotted line responsibility for the Web Content Manager and the Assistant Director, Digital Branding.

FISCAL/BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY                  

Generate and manage the budget for the Office of Strategic Communications.

WORKING CONDITIONS                                                                    

Administrative office.

TRAINING/TIME REQUIRED TO LEARN JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Knowledge of Institute and best practices in communications.

Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS 

Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field required, master’s degree preferred; minimum eight to ten years relevant experience with demonstrated success in communications, public relations, and/ branding, preferably in higher education; ability to think strategically and develop multi-channel communications plans; commitment to evolving media forms and technologies to support communication strategies.

SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED               

a)  Operational and Visionary Leadership - Strong organizational and managerial skills; excellent written and oral communication skills.  Ability to effectively supervise direct reports and collaborate with Information Technology and Marketing staff on the IHP’s digital media presence. Strong operational and visionary leadership with a focus on efficiency and effectiveness. Relationship builder with an ability to develop internal and external relationships, mentor staff, and provide a high level of service across the IHP interacting with people at all levels of the organization.  Creativity and innovation, offering an assertiveness in presenting and selling ideas with a sensitivity to the values and expectations of others. Knowledge of the principles, practices, and methodologies of communications, public/media relations and speech writing.

b) Technical Skills- Ability to use information technology in support of the work of the Institute and to provide information to senior management and the Board of Trustees.

c) Physical Capabilities – The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, be mobile, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls, and talk. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Some travel is necessary in this position.

Primary Location: MA-Charlestown-MGH IHP
Work Locations:
MGH IHP (MGHCharlestownIHP)
36 First Avenue
Charlestown, 02129


Job: Marketing/PublicAffair - Management
Organization: Massachusetts General Hospital(MGH)
Schedule: Full-time
Shift: Day Job
Employee Status: Regular
Job Posting: Aug 31, 2021