VNPC Communications Strategist, SOM/Pediatrics

Advertising Summary: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’s sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education.

Unit: School Of Medicine MBU

Department: Pediatrics

Position Summary:

The VNPC Communications Strategist will support the development and lead the execution of strategic communications initiatives that elevate the visibility, impact, and reach of the Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative (VNPC). This role is responsible for telling the VNPC story across all programs, projects, and funding sources by translating complex maternal and infant health, quality improvement, and public health initiatives into compelling, audience-centered communications that engage stakeholders and inspire action.

The Communications Strategist will serve as the organization's communications leader, ensuring the successful execution of communication deliverables and reporting requirements associated with funded initiatives while advancing a cohesive, unified VNPC brand and message. This position will develop and implement innovative communication strategies, campaigns, and engagement opportunities that expand awareness of VNPC's mission, strengthen participation in quality improvement efforts, and increase the organization's reach among healthcare professionals, community partners, policymakers, and families across Virginia.

A key function of this role is relationship building and partner engagement. The Communications Strategist will cultivate and maintain strong partnerships with Virginia birth hospitals, healthcare providers, health systems, community-based organizations, state agencies, advocacy groups, and other leaders influential to maternal and infant health outcomes. Through these collaborations, the Strategist will help drive engagement, support project participation, amplify program successes, and ensure stakeholders remain informed, connected, and invested in VNPC's work.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and skilled communicator who can balance the execution of funding-related deliverables with creativity and innovation. They will identify new opportunities to enhance VNPC's communications strategy, leverage data and audience insights to improve engagement, and ensure that all communications effectively demonstrate the measurable impact VNPC is making to improve maternal and infant health outcomes throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Core Responsibilities:

Program Activities

• Implement and maintain a communication plan for the VNPC including social media, website, blog, and newsletters.
• Lead implementation and completion of all communications-related grant deliverables as outlined by grant workplans.
• Identify methods for transforming maternal and infant health data into relatable stories.
• Provide communications technical assistance to staff, hospitals, and volunteers implementing VNPC’s quality improvement projects and other initiatives when appropriate.
• Assist with basic graphic design as necessary for flyers, social media graphics, document design, professional poster design, etc.
• Ensure all communication assets best represent the VNPC’s mission, projects, initiatives, activities, and public appearance.
• Ensure all communications activities are focused on reaching the VNPC’s primary audience, and content is appropriate and relatable to that audience.
• Apply public health core values when implementing program activities at the local, system, or state level.

Planning, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Assist with developing an annual communications plan and strategies for the VNPC. This plan should include ways to disseminate and promote VNPC’s work and outcomes on a state and national level.
• Assist with grant and general assembly reporting. This includes tracking reportable metrics and contributing to writing report narratives. Ensure report requirements are accurate, complete, and consistently meet submission deadlines.
• Identify important and timely topics impacting Virginia’s maternal and infant health outcomes, and pregnant and postpartum women.
• Participate in evaluation of VNPC programs, projects, initiatives, and grants.
• Evaluate the success and effectiveness of communications activities at least quarterly. Write a quarterly communications report.
• Develop plans for promotion, recruitment, and dissemination of VNPC quality improvement projects and events.
• Research available grants and funding opportunities and assist with writing as necessary.

Relationship Building and Maintenance

• Foster and maintain healthy relationships with VNPC’s vested partners, state agencies, hospital staff, and other maternal and infant health organizations.
• Serve as media coordinator and representative for the VNPC, escalating media inquiries as appropriate.
• Maintain effective working relationships with all VNPC business partners, contractors, and consultants.
• Represent the VNPC on appropriate committees and groups as needed.

Training and Leadership

• Set a professional example and proactively promote collaboration amongst team members and external partners and volunteers.
• Seek additional learning and skill development opportunities to strengthen understanding of public health concepts, public health communications, partner engagement, quality improvement, project management, workload management and organization, and other related topics. 
• Practice leadership and accountability for all assigned, or role appropriate tasks.
• Complete an annual individual development plan in alignment with your role and long-term professional growth.
• Complete all required trainings and development opportunities assigned by VCU, VCU Health, and VNPC.

Teamwork and Customer Service

• Work with other VNPC staff as a collaborative team and treat coworkers with respect.
• Contribute to collective team projects by completing assigned tasks in a timely manner and to the best of your ability. Be willing to assist other team members when needed.
• Actively prepare for and contribute to planning and strategy meetings, brainstorming sessions, and other team meetings. Share ideas and listen to ideas from others.
• Make suggestions for improving internal work processes to increase effectiveness or efficiency, decrease cost, and/or strengthen external relationships.   
• Practice rapid resolution when experiencing conflict with other team members. Seek guidance from supervisor when needed.
• Treat internal and external partners with excellent customer service. Communicate respectfully, appreciate diversity, and respect differences.
• Observe confidentiality with sensitive or proprietary information.
• Use clear and effective verbal and written communication.

Financial Administration

• Work under the direction of your supervisor to provide fiscal support to the organization as appropriate.
• Track costs, expenditures, and renewal dates for communications platforms and tools.
• Perform routine fiscal assignments as needed. Advise and alert supervisor of any compliance concerns.
• Monitor, evaluate, and ensure accurate files are maintained for all communications related expenditures.

Other Duties as Assigned

• May be required to perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 1-3 years of relevant professional experience or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training related to communications, marketing, or other related concentration.
• At least 1 year of experience working in maternal and infant health or public health. Or the ability to demonstrate an in-depth working knowledge of maternal and infant health and/or public health.
• Clear and effective written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Superior interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain excellent working relationships with a wide variety of constituents.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Canva, and Adobe Illustrator.
• Proficiency in social media management and analytics.
• Ability to both self-direct and work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team.

• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in communications, marketing, or other related degree.
• Experience of 3-5 years working in maternal and infant health or public health.
• Experience working with a Perinatal Quality Collaborative.
• Demonstrated ability to independently make strategic decisions, generate innovative ideas and solutions, and adapt to changing contexts while maintaining quality and timely work.
• Demonstrated experience working with hospitals across the Commonwealth.
• Experience with grant management and deliverables.

For priority consideration, please submit your application by October 9, 2026.

Salary Range: Up to $80,000 (Commensurate with Experience)

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: Yes

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

University Job Title: Communications Generalist 1-2, (13231N, 13232N)

Contact Name: Jewel Jefferson

Contact Email: jewel.jefferson@vcuhealth.org