External Communications Specialist

Advocate Aurora Health

External Communications Specialist shaping reputation, media relations, and content strategy for Advocate Health, a nonprofit integrated health system. Developing communications plans, earned-media opportunities, and executive reporting across health industry audiences.

Posted 8/12/2026full-timeWinston-Salem • North Carolina • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $36 - $53 per hourWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in developing and executing comprehensive communications strategies, creating persuasive content across various media, and managing communication timelines effectively. Strong ability to build relationships with media and stakeholders while navigating a fast-paced environment.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Bachelor's Degree In Communications3+ Years Of Experience In CommunicationsComprehensive Communications StrategiesPersuasive Content CreationStrong Interpersonal Communication Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Communications PlanningPublic Relations StrategiesContent DevelopmentMedia MonitoringCrisis CommunicationStrategic ThinkingDeadline ManagementCritical ThinkingTrend AnalysisReport Writing

Soft Skills

Proactive ApproachIndependent InitiativeResults-OrientedCollaboration SkillsRelationship Development

Industry Keywords

Health IndustryEarned Media CoverageBrand Reputation ManagementConsumer CommunicationsThought Leadership

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop measurable proactive and reactive external communications tactics and execute them with the external communications team
Recommend and execute tactics that cultivate recognition opportunities and reinforce Advocate Health’s leadership in the health industry
Create communications plans supporting organizational and business goals while protecting and enhancing Advocate Health and related brands
Track emerging trends, potential industry issues, and brand reputation risks; develop reactive action plans and responses
Draft and execute consumer communications, news releases, pitches, blogs, opinion editorials, talking points, annual reports, and thought leadership articles
Build relationships with trade reporters, local, regional, and national media outlets, and influencers to generate positive earned media coverage
Monitor media related to customers, competitors, and the industry; provide executive summaries and reports
Support priority projects, communications plans, and tactics across the department
Collaborate cross-functionally to craft communications plans that influence key audiences and promote Advocate Health and its brands
Manage timelines to ensure efficient and effective communication activities
Travel locally, regionally, and nationally as needed and work some weekends and outside normal business hours

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, advertising, or another business-related field, or bachelor’s degree combined with relevant experience
3+ years of experience in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or another business-related field
Experience recommending and executing comprehensive communications strategies
Ability to develop communications and public relations strategies and tactics
Ability to create persuasive content across different media
Proactive, independent, initiative-taking approach with consistent follow-through
Results-oriented approach
Superior time management and deadline-management skills
Ability to complete work accurately within short timeframes
Critical thinking and ability to synthesize complex information into clear recommendations
Strategic thinking and ability to work in a team environment
Comfort navigating ambiguity and working in a fast-paced, changing environment
Strong interpersonal communication and collaboration skills
Excellent oral and written communication and relationship-development skills
Ability to manage communication activity timelines
Must be located in the Wake Forest market area
Some weekend, outside-normal-hours, and local, regional, and national travel required

Benefits

Comp & perks

Benefits eligible
Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job
Incentive pay for select positions
Opportunity for annual increases based on performance
Paid Time Off programs
Medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability benefits
Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
Adoption assistance and paid parental leave
Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match
Other financial wellness programs
Educational Assistance Program
Hybrid work arrangement