Senior Communications Consultant - Center for Cancer Discovery

Summary

Under the direction of the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) Cancer Center Director of Communications, the Senior Communications Consultant is responsible for developing and executing internal and external communications strategies for the Cancer Center. This position leads the creation and execution of integrated content and channel strategies in support of MCW Cancer Center goals and priorities in alignment with MCW brand guidelines, high standards and policies. The Senior Communications Consultant manages an editorial calendar and writes, edits, and produces a variety of internal and external communications on behalf of the Cancer Center, in collaboration with the MCW Office of Communications (OOC). This role will partner closely with the Director of Communications to develop a robust content strategy for distributing Cancer Center news and information, with a focus on storytelling that advances awareness of cancer research and innovation at MCW, elevates clinical research and trials, and highlights Cancer Center researchers, leaders, staff, and trainees. The Senior Communications Consultant will also be a strategic partner to teams leading community outreach and engagement, cancer research training and education, shared resources, research programs, Audaxity, and other key initiatives driving the Center’s mission forward. The position works closely with OOC staff and the MCW philanthropy team to ensure coordination of communications efforts across internal and external audiences.

Primary Responsibilities

Working closely with OOC staff and the MCW philanthropy team, the Senior Communications Consultant will:

1. Support the development and execution of content strategies that align with the enterprise content strategy and advance the Cancer Center’s strategic priorities, programs, initiatives, and institutional goals.

2. Identify, write, and edit compelling content that promotes the Cancer Center’s research discoveries, technologies, expertise, patient impact, community partnerships, philanthropic impact, and other accomplishments to internal and external audiences.

3. Translate complex cancer research into clear, engaging messages for Cancer Center audiences, including researchers, faculty and staff, patients, donors, community members, partners, and other key stakeholders.

4. Develop content for multiple communications channels, including feature stories, website blogs, executive communications, newsletters, reports, presentations, fact sheets, videos, social media, and other digital and print materials.

5. Support, maintain, and enhance Cancer Center website content and electronic communications, including e-newsletters, digital publications, and other communications tools and platforms in alignment with MCW brand guidelines, high standards and policies.

6. Coordinate Cancer Center content from multiple and diverse sources. Ensures that messages reflect MCW and partner priorities and style guidelines.

7. Work with Cancer Center and institutional leadership to create and identify new approaches for communicating the accomplishments of the Cancer Center and projects to multiple stakeholders, including developing summaries, fact sheets, special reports, and web content.

8. Ensure timely and appropriate responses to pressing inquiries regarding the Cancer Center and its accomplishments.

9. Support content development for Audaxity, the Cancer Center’s signature fundraising initiative, including creation and execution of communications strategies, digital and web content, promotional materials, event communications, and storytelling that builds awareness, engagement, and philanthropic support for cancer research.

10. Monitor and evaluate communications performance using platform metrics and analytics; use results to identify opportunities to strengthen editorial strategies, audience engagement, and the reach and impact of Cancer Center communications.

Knowledge – Skills – Abilities

• Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential.
• Demonstrated computer expertise with a variety of software programs, including proficiency in Microsoft Office, Desktop publishing, Adobe Professional, MCW Content Management System (Titan), among others.
• Demonstrated portfolio and experience in developing print and media based communications for diverse audiences. Proficiency in desktop publishing, graphic design, photography, and marketing is preferred.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information and respect politically challenging situations. Advise institutional partners on the right channel for the right purpose; weigh the pros and cons of channels and adapt them to meet emerging needs.
• Advanced critical thinking, problem solving, and attentiveness to detail required.
• Efficient and effective self-directed work, ability to remain focused, meet deadlines with effective time management, reasonable flexibility, and self-imposed attention to detail.
• Ability to analyze and articulate concepts and vision into working projects and policies/procedures.

Qualifications

Appropriate experience may be substituted for education on an equivalent basis.

Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Minimum Required Experience: 7 year’s

Physical Requirements

Work requires occasionally lifting moderate weight materials, standing, or walking continuously.

Work Environment

Occasional exposure to dust, noise, temperature changes, or contact with water or other liquids. Work is performed in an environmentally controlled environment.

Sensory Acuity

Ability to detect and translate speech or other communication required. May occasionally require the ability to distinguish colors and perceive relative distances between objects.

Why MCW?

• Outstanding Healthcare Coverage, including but not limited to Health, Vision, and Dental. Along with Flexible Spending options
• 403B Retirement Package
• Competitive Vacation and Paid Holidays offered
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• Pet Insurance
• On campus Fitness Facility, offering onsite classes
• Additional discounted rates on items such as: Select cell phone plans, local fitness facilities, Milwaukee recreation and entertainment etc.

For a brief overview of our benefits see: Benefits Overview

For a full list of positions see: MCW Careers

At MCW all of our endeavors, from our internal operations to our interactions with our partners, are driven by our shared organizational values: Caring – Collaborative – Curiosity – Inclusive – Integrity – Respect. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that values diversity in backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives through merit-based processes and in alignment with all applicable laws. We believe that embracing human differences is critical to realize our vision of a healthier world, and we recognize that a healthy and thriving community starts from within. Our values define who we are, what we stand for and how we conduct ourselves at MCW. If you believe in embracing individuality and working together according to these principles to improve health for all, then MCW is the place for you. For more information, please visit our institutional website.

MCW as an Equal Opportunity Employer and Commitment to Non-Discrimination:

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.

About Us

Together, we can build a healthier world.

A student, an educator, a scientist and a community leader — alone, they can do many things. Together, the question isn’t what they can do, but what can’t they. The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) brings together the most inquisitive, passionate minds in science, medicine, education and community engagement to tackle today’s toughest challenges in health and society. Academic medicine is at the center of where scientists, physicians and students work hand-in-hand with the community to ask the most important questions and fuel the cycle of innovation that shapes the future of medicine.

Medical College of Wisconsin

The tireless pursuit of knowledge and the power of academic medicine is at the core of everything we do at MCW. Bringing together the world’s top scientists and clinicians, inspired students and invested communities, we are driven to solve the most complex challenges in health and society. With around 1,600 full-time and part-time faculty and approximately 3,500 full-time employees, MCW is home to a diverse group of thought leaders working in collaboration to pioneer pathways to a healthier world and drive a continuous cycle of life-changing discovery.