To develop, implement and maintain programs designed to enhance the internal and external image of the University by positioning UTMB in appropriate media markets as a provider of first-class patient care; as an outstanding training ground for future investigators, physicians and health care providers; as a vital contributor to the growth body of scientific knowledge and as a valuable community partner.

Major Duties / Critical Tasks:

• Functions as UTMB's first point of contact for all media that cover Galveston, Houston and communities in between.
• Develops and maintains the broad-based and dynamic network of media contacts and outlets needed to maximize coverage of UTMB's patient care, education, research and community-centered news events.
• Keeps abreast of health care trends at the national, state, regional and local levels, thereby enabling UTMB to proactively position its experts and its programs in appropriate media markets.
• Works with University Relations staff writers to ensure the most effective media placement of stories both internally and externally and to help them remain current on developments and health care trends nationally, statewide, regionally and locally.
• Evaluates and continually enhances the efficacy of the division's media relations efforts and systems for tracking and reporting media relations successes to the campus community.
• Serves as a conduit for and disseminator of electronically mediated queries and opportunities.
• Assists the Director of Communications and Publications in alerting the Vice-President for University Relations on a daily and timely basis to any mention or coverage of UTMB in assorted media.
• Assists in an advisory capacity, along with the Director of Communications and Publications, to the Vice President for University Relations and to UTMB administration on effective media relations and crisis communications management, and to act, along with the division director, as a representative of the university in key dealings with the media.
• Assumes responsibility for the university's clipping service and produces monthly clipping and media query reports for the Vice President for University Relations and the Director of Communications and Publications.
• Assists Communications Division staff in educating the campus community about effective media relations.
• Assists the Science Editor in broadening the base of research coverage.
• Serves as a "special projects" writer on occasion and as appropriate.
• Serves on communication-focused committees in an advisory capacity as appropriate.
• Adheres to internal controls established for department.

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in related field and four years related experience.

Equipment: