Communications Specialist

Responsibilities

The Communications Specialist supports Fairview's external reputation through media relations, digital storytelling, and crisis communications. They are responsible for drafting external materials, managing reporter requests, and collaborating across departments to execute enterprise-wide communication strategies.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, or a related field and possess at least 3 years of professional experience. Strong writing, editing, and multimedia skills are required, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

• Media relations
• Digital storytelling
• Executive communications
• Writing
• Editing
• Crisis communications
• Content development
• Photography
• Video production
• Multimedia
• Research
• Interviewing
• Project management
• Social media
• Digital publishing

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Short-term disability insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Paid time off
• Sick and safe time
• Tuition reimbursement
• Retirement plan
• Early access to earned wages

About this role

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 escalate 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 e...

About Fairview Health Services

Hospitals and Health Care · 10,001+ employees · headquartered in Minneapolis, MN