Communications Specialist III

Job Details: Job Location: Remote - n/a, VA, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: 4 Year Degree or Equivalent Experience, Salary Range: $70000.00 - $88000.00Salary/year, Travel Percentage: Negligible, Title of Position:               Communications Specialist III     Department:                      Communications              Reports to (Title):             Director, Communications           Salary Grade:                    P3/Zone 2  Position Description  The Communications Specialist III will develop and execute integrated communications focused on three areas: Media relations, social media and employee communications. This position will help communicate UNOS’ work to external audiences, strengthen its social media presence and keep employees engaged and informed. A priority will be aligning all communications with the Strategic Plan.  This role combines strategic communications planning, writing, editing, relationship building and project management, with an emphasis on clear, timely and audience-appropriate messaging. Key Responsibilities EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATIONS Build on UNOS’ recent efforts to use all available avenues to keep the workforce engaged and informed, delivering coordinated, timely and accessible employee communications. Partner with leadership, Human Resources and other departments to communicate organizational priorities related to the Strategic Plan, changes throughout the organization and employee news with clarity and consistency. Develop and coordinate content across employee communication channels and formats, including email, intranet content, leadership messages and employee meetings, as appropriate to audience needs. Create opportunities for two-way communication, gather employee questions and feedback, and use insights to improve communications and support engagement. MEDIA RELATIONS Develop and implement proactive media relations plans that support UNOS’ priorities and communicate its work clearly and accurately. Identify newsworthy stories, develop pitches and press materials, and build relationships with reporters and editors. Coordinate timely responses to media inquiries, working with leadership and subject matter experts to develop approved messaging, talking points and interview preparation materials. Monitor media coverage and relevant issues, share insights and recommend opportunities to strengthen outreach. SOCIAL MEDIA Manage and enhance UNOS’ social media presence across platforms, aligning content and campaigns with organizational priorities and audience needs. Plan and maintain a social media content calendar; create, edit and adapt compelling written and visual content for each platform. Monitor conversations and community engagement, coordinate appropriate responses and elevate sensitive issues for review. Use performance data and audience insights to improve content, reach and engagement. Perform other duties and support additional administrative priorities as assigned, consistent with the general scope and level of the position. Minimum Requirements 5 years of relevant professional experience in communications, with experience in media relations, social media or employee communications and demonstrated ability to contribute across all three areas. Critical Skills  Strong news judgment and ability to identify stories, develop media pitches and prepare clear press materials and talking points. Ability to build productive relationships with journalists, leaders, subject matter experts and internal partners. Ability to develop platform-appropriate social media content, manage a content calendar and support community engagement. Ability to translate complex information and organizational changes into clear, accessible employee communications. Excellent writing, editing, verbal and visual communication skills, with strong attention to accuracy and detail. Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines, adapt as priorities change and set shared expectations with partners. Sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive information, media inquiries and employee communications. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Ability to interpret media, social media and employee communication metrics and feedback to improve results. Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel, social media publishing and analytics tools, and email and digital content tools. Familiarity with SharePoint or other intranet platforms, content management systems, project management tools, accessible communications and 508 practices preferred. Additional Skills & Qualifications  Experience developing integrated communications plans that connect media relations, social media and employee communications. Experience in journalism, public relations or media outreach, including pitching stories and coordinating responses to media inquiries. Experience creating and managing social media content and campaigns, with demonstrated use of analytics to improve engagement. Experience supporting employee communications, including leadership messages, newsletters, intranet content or employee meetings. Experience gathering audience feedback and using insights to strengthen communications and engagement. Demonstrated experience coordinating communications products and approvals with clients or internal partners. Education  4-year degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations or a closely related area, or equivalent work experience required. Additional education/training/certification in project management or quality principles highly preferred. Physical Requirements General office demands Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Frequent reaching, handling, and fine manipulation for using office equipment, filing, and managing paperwork. Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, mouse, and other office tools. Occasional standing, walking, and bending. Ability to lift up to 10-20 pounds occasionally. Vision abilities required include close vision for computer work and reading documents. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Qualifications: