HEALTH COMMUNICATIONS OPERATION AND STRATEGY

The Southeast Area Health Education Center is seeking a full time Health Communication Operations and Strategy Manager to work within the Strategy, Policy, Alignment, Communications, and Equity (SPACE) Team of the Bureau of Family Health (BFH), Office of Public Health, Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). The Health Communication Manager is responsible for leading the development of rigorous, relevant, and resonant communications strategies to advance the Bureau’s priorities and goals. The Bureau’s programs, initiatives, and partnerships seek to address represent complex public issues.

Communications are becoming the primary tool for changing the policies, practices, relationships and mental models that hold a problem in place or advance toward solutions that builds on strengths and the voices of people affected by issues and their potential solutions.

In day to day practice, the position requires maintaining a working knowledge of the relevant programs, systems-building efforts, and policy environment in Louisiana in order to inform BFH’s communication priorities and approaches. The Manager oversees the communications unit and works to set and guide BFH’s strategic communication goals so they consistently articulate and align with BFH’s current priorities. The position is also responsible for developing and continually improving the processes and tools that can be used to align key information and messages across initiatives and communication products. This position provides direct management of staff and oversight of communication and marketing contracts with external vendors, including the Request for Proposal (RFP) process as necessary. The Manager guides, plans, implements, monitors, and evaluates marketing and communication interventions that are designed to prevent and reduce risk factors related to maternal, infant, and child morbidity and mortality. Specifically, the Communications Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Communications unit, supporting the functions of the SPACE team, and working across BFH teams to integrate best practices from communications science, while exploring innovative communication and marketing approaches.

Location: New Orleans, LA

Starting Salary: $65,700 – $97,300 commensurate with experience

Duties and ResponsibilitiesProgram Oversight and Staff Development (40%)

• Provide direct supervision to Communications Unit staff. Provide support, guidance and technical guidance for all aspects of program management.
  1. Work to assure appropriate staffing structures and capacity of the team to support strategic and integrated communications approaches on behalf of the BFH.
  2. Effectively hold all team members accountable and manage progress through excellent communication and project management skills, using proven methods for motivation and coaching success.
  3. Establish a regular cadence of 1:1 and team check-ins to assure visibility on workload and related challenges, and to assess and support individual and team professional development.
• Advise, manage, and coordinate BFH priority communications projects, such as efficiency projects, cross-team work, and cross-sector partnerships:
  1. Develop clear objectives, timelines, and work plans for accomplishing objectives ;documents

decisions and ensuring follow through.

1. Form and manage effective teams to execute the objectives in a timely manner; facilitate systematic problem inquiry, learning, and generation of strategies and responses.
2. Respond proactively to programmatic challenges and coordinates quick resolution.
3. Build capacity within the Communications unit and within (across) the BFH to utilize elevate/implement best practices and evidence-based approaches to fulfill the BFH’s mission and effectively address agency priorities. This includes developing and utilizing message frames for effective communications.
4. Provide ongoing consultation and technical assistance regarding the use and development of marketing and communication strategies and best practices to internal and external stakeholders.
5. Collaborate and work within the SPACE Team and across other BFH teams to develop and facilitate clear communication processes and procedures, as needed for efficient development of effective and high quality communication products and messages.

• Prepare grant proposals, Request for Proposal, Solicitation of Offers, and contract documents as needed.
• Manage grant funds and reporting requirements as assigned.
• Facilitate Health Education/Communication meetings of the BFH.

Communication and Marketing Strategy and Brand Management (50%)

• Create campaigns using various forms of media in order to communicate priority issues to select target audiences and the public. This includes to:
  1. Oversee the development and maintenance of ongoing statewide maternal, infant and child health promotion and communication & marketing programs and initiatives, such as: the Partners for Family Health (PFH) and Partners for Healthy Babies (PHB) campaigns; the SIDS/SUID Prevention Safe Sleep Campaign; the PHB Helpline; and others.
  2. Provide oversight to the development, management and maintenance of BFH communication materials, products and communication campaigns including their implementation, monitoring, tracking and evaluation. This includes:
     • Oversight in the creation of digital, video, audio and print content.
     • Monitoring the management and maintenance of the PFH and LDH-BFH websites, and BFH’s social media (currently Facebook and Twitter).
  3. Develop and implement communication strategies that are consumer oriented and utilize formative research in project planning and materials testing.
  4. Maintain brand integrity across all platforms as appropriate.
• Work with communications staff and contractors to track engagement across various communication platforms and make data-driven decisions.
• Manage media relations on behalf of BFH and in concert with the LDH Bureau of Media and Communications (BMAC).
  1. Oversee the preparation of press releases, BFH talking points, annual reports, presentations, data fact sheets, policy briefs, and assure visibility of BFH priority strategies in agency (LDH and OPH) publications, e-newsletters etc.

Other (10%)

• Participate in, and/or present at staff meetings, conferences, and seminars as required.
• Under the request of BFH Leadership, serve as liaison for the agency on statewide and national task forces, work groups, councils, and coalitions related to Communications.

1. As requested by BFH leadership, attend meetings and/or activities as a representative of BFH or with them to participate in discussions or problem solving sessions and to take summary notes and/or minutes and to provide updates or answer questions.
2. Identify opportunities to collaborate with national organizations and pursue new relationships with non-traditional partners to improve health communications strategies.

• In collaboration with supervisor and the manager responsible for internships, develop practicum and internship assignments based on communications priorities that advance current and/or emerging priorities; assure appropriate oversight of the intern(s) by communications team members.
• Participate in emergency response activities as required by the contract employer.
• Complete other duties as assigned.
• Contractor is expected to comply with all federal reporting guidelines and requirements as designated by OPH.

Required Education and Experience:

• A baccalaureate degree plus four years of professional level experience in public relations, marketing, graphic design, public health, communications, health education and communication, or related field. Master’s degree in marketing, public relations, graphic design, public health, health policy, communications, or related field preferred.
• Proven experience as a supervisor or relevant role with previous leadership experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, specifically the ability to translate complex concepts and data into plain language.
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to be persuasive and conduct positive interactions and maintain meaningful relationships with a variety of individuals
• Proven ability to orchestrate community based, culturally competent health communication campaigns, including outreach to and partnership building among stakeholders at the state and local levels.
• Experience with the development of public education, media outreach materials, and policy briefs.
• Demonstrated knowledge and proficiency with communications technologies.
• Understanding of copywriting, graphic design, layout, and publishing.
• An eye for detail and accuracy with impeccable copywriting and copy editing abilities.
• Highly competent with using PCs, including use of the Microsoft operating system, Microsoft Office products, various internet browsers, Adobe Software, etc.
• Strong time management skills and ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Understanding of health equity principles, and experience designing communication products and strategies using an equity-focused approach preferred.
• Working knowledge of content management systems, HTML coding, and digital graphics production.
• Familiarity with social media platforms and social media marketing.
• Experience with search engine marketing, Google Analytics, and Google AdWords.
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro).
• Experience working with culturally diverse populations is a plus.
• Experience with conducting formative research is a plus.
• Program Monitoring and Evaluation Experience is a plus.

• Demonstrated team and project tracking experience – use of project tracking/management tools such as Monday.com preferred.

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Employer Paid 403 (b)
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• Short-term Disability (offered during open enrollment period)
• Possibility for alternate work schedule/remote work after 1 year
• Paid Holidays
• Free Parking